Turning Chain (tch)
turning chain is called the same thing in US and UK patterns, and tachiagari no kusari in Japanese ones. Written as tch in patterns.
The chain worked at the start of a row or round to bring the yarn up to the height of the stitches that follow.
The Japanese name 立ち上がりの鎖 (tachiagari no kusari) literally means "rising chain".
At a glance
| How many times you wrap the yarn first | none — go straight in |
|---|---|
| How tall it is | — |
| Turning chain at the start of a row | not usually needed |
| How it looks on a Japanese chart | vertical run of ovals at the row edge |
| Difficulty | beginner |
| Stitch family | technique |
What it is used for
- · Every row of every flat piece
- · Round transitions
Watch out for
Whether the turning chain counts as a stitch varies by pattern and by convention. Japanese patterns are explicit about this in the chart; English patterns often are not, which is a leading cause of drifting edges.
A smooth aluminium or ergonomic hook in the size your pattern calls for.
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Related stitches
Full US to UK conversion table · Full US to Japanese table
Last updated 2026-08-30.