Crochet foundation chain
The foundation chain supplies insertion points; turning chains provide the height for the first row.
Work the technique
Make a slip knot, then pull a yarn-over through the hook loop for each chain. Count V shapes without counting the live hook loop. Insert in the back bump or under the named loops consistently.
Try it on a sample
Chain 16. For US sc start in the second chain and make 15 sc. The skipped chain is not a counted stitch.
Check and recover
A tight chain makes the lower edge shorter than later rows. Try a larger hook for the chain, then use the pattern hook for the fabric.