Is there a better way to chain 99 in crochet?

[Wilma55]

Trying to start a baby blanket and am getting disheartened because although I count and check my 99 stitches after the first row when there should be 96 I seem to have over 100!
Is there any magic way to cast on/chain? I've tried a larger hook and tried the foundation/treble method without success. Is just a question of perseverance?? Thanks

Use stitch markers! I usually insert a stitch marker every ten or twenty stitches to help keep count. If you don't have any you can just tie some different colour yarn in the stitch.

Just make things in the round instead! I prefer that anyway as you don’t have to worry about running out of yarn.

Foundation chain is much easier when you get the hang of it. It’s stretchier and you are doing chain and first row in one so you just do the number of stitches you need.

Just search on YouTube for the stitch you are doing, single, double or treble crochet and go from there.

I learned from YouTube.

What stitch are you using to need 96 stitches after a chain of 99?

I always chain a few extra and then rip them out when I've finished the project.

Never managed to get the hang of a foundation chain.

First row is trebles @Crojo.

I did try that @Doyouthinktheyknow maybe I just need to persevere!

I have some stitchmarkers somewhere @comfritt.

Same. I mostly make blankets with 250-300 chain starts and it's much easier to count the first proper row than the chain.

Me too, it makes it much easier!

Ah I see Op.
I can't really add to what others have suggested, stitch markers are a good idea, I try and make sure I go through just the top loop of the chain as sometimes if you catch 2 loops it sort of pulls 2 chains together and can confuse the numbers, if that makes sense

Leave a long tail. When you have completed the first row of trebles, if there are less than you need, use the tail yo make more chain. Then treble into the extra stitch or stitches in the corner it really won’t notice.

This. You get a better edge too I think.

Sorry I have just reread and realised you are over. Are you counting the turning chain as your first stitch.

Thanks all, used stitch markers and all OK now!