Expert: Patricia - 1/8/2009

Question
What is the difference between stitch and chain?  Also, do not understand space.  Pattern second row at end says to crochet to last space; sc in ch-2.  Where is that??  My ends look awful.

Answer
Hi Ruth,
To understand your question exactly, I would need to see the actual verbiage in your instructions.  Generally, a stitch is a combination of chains, such as a double crochet stitch, a single crochet stitch, etc.  A chain is simply one chain link as you would have on a metal chain.   It's the most basic crochet element.  If you have 3 chains, then they would look like a piece of metal chain.

If you are asked to chain 2, skip two doubles,  then double in the next double, the chain 2 forms a space.  It seems that what they are referring to on your pattern is to crochet to the end of the row and then single crochet in the chain 2 at the end of the previous row.  Remember that you always have a turning chain that is the same height as as the stitches you are going to be be making on that row.  If not, the ends of your crochet would look rounded and bunched up.

I hope this helps.  Please write again if it didn't.

-Patricia