A very similar technique is shown in Montse Stanley's Knitters Handbook for casting on only a few stittches to knit in the round from the centre out, it's a great way to do it!
Jo | Homepage | 01.03.05 - 1:33 am | #

lovely! That would make life quite a bit easier. Especially if you're a tight crochetter like I am and therefore use a much larger hook than the pattern suggested.

Thanks!

M
Mim | Homepage | 01.03.05 - 8:46 am | #

What a great idea! I am never happy with the center on my crochet squares - I will have to try this.
Colette | Homepage | 01.03.05 - 11:57 am | #

I adore this way of starting rounds, Marnie! I recently did a tutorial for it in the Dec 2004/Jan 2005 issue of Crochet me. I pretty much shunned anything involving rounds until I came across this method.
Donna | Homepage | 01.04.05 - 5:19 am | #

Fine. Crochet is my nemesis....but that's pretty smart.
Stephanie | Homepage | 01.04.05 - 6:22 am | #

Thank you...crocheting in the round has always caused issues for me...that looks so easy, I can't wait to try it.
Kate | Homepage | 01.04.05 - 11:16 am | #

Marnie,

That technique reminds me of tatting. Have you ever tatted? I did it a lot about, hmmm 10-12 years ago? My oh my, I can't believe it's been that long. Well, I know I had gotten back into it when my daughter was born, 4 yrs ago. I even taught some classes at Micheals. Here is a page for looking at tatting (if anyone is wondering what it is): http://www.tribbler.com/tatman/

Marnie, you are so clever. Thanks for sharing with us, that's a really cool trick.
Amy Lu | Homepage | 01.05.05 - 5:30 am | #

I've seen that technique used in old Victorian lace patterns. It makes a smoother ring than a chain-based ring does. I even did some squares once that had nine interlaced rings at the center; the rings were worked interlaced using this technique, by running the crochet thread first through the rings to interlace, then making the loop to crochet around.

You can also make a "fatter" center ring by using more wraps, although you have to have the size of the ring in mind beforehand, since you can't pull it tight.
Wacky Hermit | Homepage | 01.05.05 - 8:17 am | #

Huh. Ever neat. Crochet and I don't tend to get along too well, and that foundation round is often where I throw my hands up in the air and say forget it! I'll have to give this a go... thanks!!
Sarahfish | Homepage | 01.10.06 - 12:11 pm | #

Thanks for posting "free of chains", that was very helpful!!!
Sherry | Homepage | 02.03.06 - 3:12 pm | #