How To Do A
Double Crochet

10 stitches by 10 rows

The double crochet (dc) is a very simple stitch. It is twice as tall as the single crochet. This stitch is used all the time when making blankets, scarves, etc...

It is probably a more popular stitch than the single crochet. Because of its height, your project gets done twice as fast. (There’s that instant gratification, again!)

Since you know how to do the single crochet. You have all the basics down for any other crochet stitch out there. To make any stitch more simple, you just break them down to the motions of the single crochet.

To make a turning chain match the height of the double crochet, I chain 2. Most patterns will tell you to chain 3. Since I tend to crochet tighter than most patterns, I only chain 2. My work looks much more even that way. When I chain 3, my sides end up lumpy. Practice to get an idea of how you crochet. What your tension is. Then you can decide whether you want to chain 2 or 3 for your turning chains.

On the foundation row, you will skip 2 or 3 stitches. Since my turning chain is 2, I go into the 3rd chain from the hook (skipping 2). If your turning chain is 3, you will go into the 4th (skipping 3). Make sure you add stitches to your foundation chain for the turning chain of your first row (add 1 if you skip 2 and add 2 if you skip 3).

You can refer to this video to see how to start crocheting from a foundation row.

If you are having a problem viewing these videos, you may need to update your flash player. You can update or download the flash player for free from www.adobe.com

The Double Crochet

For the double crochet, you yarn over the hook first. Then insert your hook (one (1) loop already on) into the “hole”(or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over again. Pull loop through. You will now have three (3) loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull through two (2) loops. Yarn over and pull through both remaining loops. You just made a double crochet!

An easy way to remember is: Remember to do things twice. (Double equals twice) You pull through the 2 loops on the hook 2 times.

Special Note:

The turning chain is always considered your first stitch. When trying to keep your stitch count, make sure you count that turning chain. I always skip the first hole/stitch and crochet my next stitch into the 2nd hole. This keeps my crochet lines very even, but it does leave a little larger space between the turning chain and the first stitch. My last stitch is always into the last chain of the turning chain. Most patterns will tell you to crochet into the first hole/stitch. Their last stitch would be in the last stitch of the row below. They would skip the turning chain entirely. This shifts every other row slightly. If you are making something that you are going to finish with stitching around the edge, this does not matter very much. If you are not planning to use a finish edging, this can make your work look a little “off”. See picture below

(Left) Skipping first stitch (Right) Not Skipping first stitch.

This stitch has a less dense appearance than the single crochet. There is space between each “bar” of your crocheting. It will use less yarn and your finished project will be lighter.

Using only the double crochet and a chain stitch, you can now make many different gifts!! Alternating those two stitches will give your project a lace-like appearance.

Shawls, scarves, baby blankets....

The only limit is your imagination!!

Click here for a simple chain stitch shawl pattern

Click here for some quick pattern ideas

Because of the height of the stitch, your projects will crochet up really fast, and won’t use very much yarn. So you can afford to splurge on the more expensive, fun yarns.

Which makes them PERFECT for those...

“Oh, crap! So and So has a baby shower this weekend!
I just paid bills so I don’t have much money!
What do I do?!?”

...Moments.

Grab your yarn and hook, and crochet up a beautiful blanket that the mom-to-be will LOVE!! The PERFECT homemade gift, straight from you!! (Just don’t tell her how quick and easy you did it!)

And you did it knowing only two simple stitches!!

(By the way....Did I mention you also know how to do filet crochet now, too? No? Well you do!!)

Half Double Crochet

Treble Crochet

Download pdf version of ALL patterns here.

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