How To Double Crochet (dc) For Beginners
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this blog post, you will learn how to double crochet (dc) for beginners with a step-by-step tutorial.
Double crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches you will need to learn as a beginner crocheter.
Most crochet patterns will feature this stitch, either worked flat or in the round.
This stitch is fun to make and you will meet it in many free crochet patterns like hats, baby blankets, sweaters, and more.
What Is A Double Crochet? (US)
The double crochet stitch (when abbreviated it is – dc) is one of the most common crochet stitches and is about twice as tall as a single crochet.
A double-crochet fabric is quite solid and is great for bags, sweaters, scarves, shawls, afghans, placemats, or any number of other items.
Please note – This tutorial is worked in US terms.
If you are following a pattern that uses UK terms, this stitch is known as a triple or treble crochet.
You can find a free PDF of both US and UK terms and abbreviations here.
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Double Crochet Stitch
This tutorial will take you through the double crochet stitch (dc stitch) with step-by-step instructions, and step-by-step photographs and there is a video tutorial.
You can view the crochet tutorial on my YouTube channel here.
Time needed: 1 day, 2 hours and 30 minutes
How To Double Crochet
- Step 1 – Wrap the yarn over your crochet hook
To begin with, you will wrap your yarn over your hook (before inserting it into the next st).
This would be the same for your first row or if you are continuing a sample swatch (as you see in the photo below).
Please note – some patterns will require you to start the row with a turning chain – I will explain this further later on in the tutorial.
- Step 2 – Push your hook through the next stitch
Place your hook into the next stitch.
If you are starting out with a foundation chain, skip the three chains closest to the hook and place the hook through the fourth chain.
Then hook the yarn, wrapping it over the hook before you place the hook into that fourth stitch. - Step 3 – Hook the yarn and make a loop
Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through to make another loop on the hook.
You will have three loops on your hook. - Step 4 – Hook the yarn and pull through two of the loops
Wrap the yarn over your hook and pull through the first two loops on your hook.
- Step 5 – Hook the yarn and pull through the remaining two loops
You should be left with two loops on your hook.
Now you wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through those two loops. - Step 6 – Making the double crochet stitch
You will have one loop left on your hook.
You have just made one double crochet stitch!
Continue to repeat until you get to your last double crochet and practice to make more stitches.
The Turning Chain
The turning chain at the start of a row counts as a double crochet at the beginning of each row.
Most patterns will have the size of the turning chain you need to make.
But for double crochet, you will normally need to chain 3 at the start of the row.
This is because the three chain stitches create the same height as a double crochet stitch.
How Do I Double Crochet In The Round?
To double crochet in the round, you can follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Start by making a foundation chain of the desired length for your project. Then, join the last chain to the first chain with a slip stitch to form a ring. Alternatively, you can use a magic ring technique to create an adjustable ring for working in the round.
- Create a turning chain by chaining three stitches. This turning chain serves as the first double crochet stitch.
- Insert your hook into the center of the ring, under both loops of the first stitch.
- Yarn over (wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front).
- Pull the yarn through the stitch, so you have three loops on the hook.
- Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops on the hook, leaving two loops remaining.
- Yarn over once more and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. This completes your first double crochet stitch in the round.
- To continue, insert your hook into the center of the ring under both loops of the next stitch.
- Repeat steps 4-7 to work a double crochet stitch in the next stitch.
- Continue working a double crochet stitch in each stitch around the ring until you reach the end of the round.
- When you finish the last double crochet stitch of the round, you can either join with a slip stitch to the top of the turning chain from the beginning of the round or use a standing double crochet technique to begin the next round without a slip stitch join.
- To work subsequent rounds, you typically begin with a turning chain of three stitches (counts as the first double crochet stitch) and then work a double crochet stitch in each stitch of the previous round.
- Repeat the process of working double crochet stitches in each stitch of the previous round until you’ve completed the desired number of rounds or reached the desired size for your project. Remember to refer to your specific pattern for any additional instructions or modifications.
What’s The Difference Between A Single Crochet And A Double Crochet?
Single crochet and double crochet are both basic stitches used in crochet, but they differ in terms of height and the number of loops on the hook required to complete the stitch.
Single Crochet (sc): The single crochet stitch is a shorter stitch compared to the double crochet. It is a dense stitch commonly used for creating a tight fabric or adding detail to crochet projects.
Double Crochet (dc): The double crochet is a taller stitch and creates a looser fabric compared to the single crochet.
Double crochet stitches are frequently used for creating lacy or openwork patterns and can be worked more quickly due to their height.
In summary, the main differences between single crochet and double crochet are the height of the stitches and the number of loops on the hook required to complete each stitch.
Single crochet is shorter and denser, while double crochet is taller and creates a looser fabric.
Both are basic crochet stitches perfect for new makers.
Double Crochet Patterns
With some practice, your double crochet will improve and become like second nature!
You will find a rhythm in it and easily create those double crochet rows.
An easy way to practice is to do the following;
- Create a swatch, chain 10 or 20 stitches, and practice by creating rows of double crochet.
- Make a granny square
- Make a blanket
- Basic stitches
More Crochet Stitch Tutorials
Check out the crochet lessons perfect for beginner crocheters.
Including: how to make a slip knot, how to hold a crochet hook, how to crochet a starting chain, how to crochet the single crochet stitch, how to crochet the treble crochet stitch, how to decrease single crochet stitches and many more.
Happy Crocheting!
