Standing Stitch Crochet Tutorial a Ch 3 Alternative
Crochet standing stitches are used to replace beginning chain stitches at the start of a new round or row. The benefit to using them in your crochet projects is that they fill the space more than a simple chain, resembling a stitch because they are a stitch.
Once you learn standing stitches, you can substitute them in yourself, whenever a pattern calls for chain stitches to start.
Before I started crocheting I honestly didn’t love the ‘holes’ of handmade blankets. I now appreciate the art of intentionally open spaces in crocheted blankets.
However, there are sections where your pattern requires solid rows of stitches. In these cases you do want less holes. This is when standing stitches come into play.
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The beauty of crochet work is the contrast of open and closed areas that create your pattern. With this in mind there will always be a place for simple chains, because sometimes you do want a slim stitch that doesn’t take up too much space.
The goal of a starting chain is to get the same height as the stitch you will be working, so that you can easily crochet those stitches.
Some patterns count the chain as a stitch, while others do not (and you also make a stitch in the same place with the starting chain). This can be confusing if it’s not clearly stated in the pattern.
I’ve worked up a swatch in rows and a circle in the round, both of which you can use standing stitches in place of chains.
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Standing Stitches for Crocheting Flat (in Rows) Photo Tutorial:
For this tutorial I used Bernat Baby Softee cotton yarn in mint and my #7/4.5mm hook.
On the left is a swatch of double crochet stitches with the typical chain 3 at the start of each row. You can clearly see the gaps at the beginning of rows 2 and 4. Standing stitches can fix that!
The other end of the swatch was crocheted with standing stitches and you can see how well they fill the space.
My Favorite Ch 3 Alt
Scroll down for the standing stitch crochet ch 3 alternative tutorial!
Here’s yet another way to start a row of double crochets. This ch 3 alternative technique is very similar to the one in the tutorial below. I find this one even sturdier though.
Standing Stitch Crochet Chain 3 Alternative Tutorial
Learn how to crochet the standing stitches to eliminate the gaps of crocheting a ch 3 to start a row.
Materials
- For this tutorial I use Bernat Baby Softee cotton yarn in color feather.
Tools
- #7/4.5mm hook
Instructions
To work a standing stitch, you'll need at least one row of regular double crochets.
For a small swatch of 10 stitches, ch 12, dc in the 3rd ch from your hook and in each ch across, turn.
Insert hook into the first stitch.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. 
Yo and pull through the two loops on your hook. Essentially you’ve made a single crochet.
Chain 1 for a hdc (or 2 for a dc) and you’ve made a standing stitch, now you can continue to crochet into the next stitch link normal.
Here I have made 1 standing stitch and double crocheted into the next two stitches.
Notice there aren’t any gaps because the standing stitch fills the space so well.
I also like how the loops face outward towards the edge, so if I’m crocheting around that edge it’s easier to find a place for my stitches.
You can watch the YouTube Video on Standing Stitches too.
Standing Stitches for Crocheting in the Round:
This short Tangi video demonstrates how to work a standing treble stitch. I work this standing stitch slightly differently than the photo tutorial. I think I like this technique even better.
gnidnatFor this tutorial I used I Love This Cotton! in periwinkle and a size G hook.
Insert your hook into the stitch to be worked, and make a single crochet 
then chain 2 for a dc {or 1 for hdc}. This is equivalent to the DC stitches the pattern calls for and gives you more of a stitch while achieving your height needs to get the round started. 
This picture is from the standing stitches used in my Toddler Sun Hat pattern.
My Favorite Ch 3 Alt
Here’s yet another way to start a row of double crochets. This technique is very similar to the one above. I find this one even sturdier though.
Eccola! Standing stitches are that simple. They look so much better than chains. There just isn’t as much gaping. Give it a go on your next project, I promise you won’t be disappointed!
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Thank you for this!
(N.B. I love when I spot the bits of Italian you have dispersed here and there in your posts, or in the name of an item. This post’s “Eccola!” prompted an especially wide smile. 🙂 Brava!)