I need help understanding this pattern "Chain 2 does not count as first hdc.."?

Question

I am making a hat that requires joining with a slip stitch at the end of a round. I don't understand this instruction: Chain-2 at beginning of row or round does not count as first half double crochet unless otherwise stated. I don't know how to count this. The chain-2 does not count as first hdc, but do you count it as a hdc at all? Does the join with slip stitch to the chain count as hdc?

Here are the instructions for the first round:
Rnd 1: Ch 3. 8 hdc in 3rd ch from hook (first 2 chs do not cound as first hdc), join (with slip stitch) in first hdc. (8 hdc)

After I make 3 stitches I create 8 hdc in the first stc to create a loop. I count the very first hdc I make as 1, the second hdc as 2 and so forth. So I make a total of 8 hdc. After I make my 8 hdc I join in the beginning chain with a slip stitch. When I join, I lose my first hdc but am gaining another one with a slip stitch, is that correct? Does that slip stich (+2 chain ) count as the last hdc?

Thank you

Answer 1

No, it doesn't and no, you don't count it as an hdc.



Join the last hdc to the first hdc, not to the ch 2.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are counting the loops in the top of the stitches. You might find it easier to count the posts instead.



When instructions say not to count the 'chain up' as a stitch, they will usually tell you to make the first stitch of the next row 'in the same hole as joining' or something to that effect. When the 'chain up ' is counted a s a stitch, the first stitch will usually be placed in the 'next stitch'.



This may help. Scroll down to Crochet in Rounds: http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/instruction_directory.php

Answer 3

If the pattern is from a blog you should use comments to ask the designer what they mean with that instruction. That's the way I write my patterns. The uncounted ch 2, sort of fills in the little gap you get if you use the ch 2 as your first hdc.



http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/