cadeneta

Cadeneta is the Spanish term for the chain stitch used in crochet. The word comes from cadena, meaning chain, with the diminutive suffix -eta, and in many Spanish-speaking countries it denotes the basic starting chain of a crochet project as well as the stitch used to create it.

In crochet practice, the cadeneta is formed by repeatedly yarn over and draw through the loop on the hook, producing a length of chained loops. This foundation chain serves as the base for subsequent stitches and determines the width of the work. When a row is worked upward, a turning chain is added at the end of the row to raise the height for the next row; the turning chain is not always counted as a stitch of the row, depending on the stitch being used.

Patterns specify how many chain stitches to make and how to proceed with the first row. Mastery of the cadeneta is considered essential for beginners, as it underpins most crochet techniques and designs. The term can also be used more generally to refer to a chain-like element in textile work or jewelry.

In some languages or crafts, cadeneta may be used interchangeably with cadena or chain in crochet vocabulary, and regional variations exist in how the stitch is described. The concept remains a basic foundational element across patterns, projects, and traditions.