Yes, that's the worst part. I'm pretty sure even experienced crocheters hate it by the way instructions always talk about it. I'm in the habit from knitting of casting on loosely or on larger needles, so it's been OK for me because I just do the same in crochet. I also read that you can flip the chain stitch over and crochet into the one strand on the back instead of the two strands in the front and that sounds like it would be easier, mathematically speaking. Do eet! I want buddies and enable well!