Stitch Multiples, Extra Stitches, and Turning Chains Explained

The Terminology Trap: Why Pattern Math Confuses Crocheters

When you open a pattern, you often see instructions like:

"Chain a multiple of 6 + 2, plus 1 for the turning chain."

Why does a pattern distinguish between "+ 2" and "plus 1"? Why not just say "multiple of 6 + 3"?

Lumping all extra chains together obscures three completely distinct functions:

1. The stitch multiple (m) defines the width of each repeating motif.
2. The extra stitches (e) balance the left and right edges across Row 1.
3. The turning chains (t) provide vertical elevation to begin the next row.

1. The Stitch Multiple (m): Motif Geometry

A stitch multiple is the number of stitches required to complete one complete iteration of a pattern unit.

For example, in a classic shell stitch:

• 1 single crochet
• Skip 2 chains
• 5 double crochets in next chain (the shell)
• Skip 2 chains

Summing those stitches gives: 1 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 6 stitches per shell repeat. You can repeat this unit 10, 20, or 50 times across your row, and each repeat will consistently consume 6 stitches.

2. Extra Stitches (e): Edge Balance and Symmetry

If you only chained a multiple of 6 for your shell pattern, your row would end with "skip 2 chains" floating awkwardly in space without a final single crochet to anchor the last shell.

To achieve visual symmetry—so both the left edge and the right edge terminate on a crisp, balanced single crochet—you must add extra stitches (in this example, +2 stitches).

3. Turning Chains (t): Vertical Elevation

Once your first row has its required stitch count S = n × m + e, your hook is sitting at the bottom of the work. You need to reach the working height of the next row.

Turning chains elevate your yarn:

• Single crochet (sc): 1 chain (does not count as a stitch).
• Half double crochet (hdc): 2 chains (often counts as a stitch).
• Double crochet (dc): 3 chains (almost always counts as 1 dc).
• Treble crochet (tr): 4 chains.

Because turning chains deal strictly with vertical height, they do not belong in your horizontal stitch count math unless your specific pattern explicitly directs that the turning chain "counts as the first stitch" of Row 1.