Crochet Basics 7: the Double Crochet Stitch

August 27th, 2017 | 2 Comments | by Nea

crochet basics, double crochet, stitch tutorial, tutorial

Hey guys!

This is the seventh lesson in my tutorial series, Crochet basics. In this lesson we’ll learn how to crochet the double crochet stitch and how to crochet a flat piece two ways using double crochets.

Start from the beginning >> Crochet Basics 1: Yarn, Hooks, Stitch Markers and Terminology

Previous lesson >> Crochet Basics 6: the Half Double Crochet Stitch

As per usual I am using the 100% acrylic yarn Favorite by Ice Yarns and a 5mm tapered aluminium crochet hook.

The double crochet

Name: Double crochet (US), Triple crochet (UK)

Abbreviation: dc (US), tc/tr (UK)

Height:  2 chains (not counting the chain as a stitch), 3 chains (counting the chain as a stitch)

1. Yarn over and insert hook through the next stitch or chain.
2. Yarn over and pull back through the stitch or chain, you now have three loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook, leaving two loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook.

Double crocheting a flat piece (not counting the chain as a stitch)

Chain 10+2, to account for the height of the stitch. Then double crochet, following the instructions above, in the third chain from the hook (skip 2 chains). You can see that the top of the stitch you just made has that characteristic V-shape, with one back loop (farthest from you) and one front loop (closest to you). Mark the first stitch by inserting a stitch marker under both those loops.

Now continue making double crochets in each chain across. The work will curl naturally, it does not mean you’re doing anything wrong. Mark the stitch you make in the very first chain by inserting a stitch marker under both its loops, this is the last stitch of the first row. Now count your stitches to make sure you have ten.

Row 2

Chain 2 and turn your work, clockwise or anti clockwise doesn’t matter. Then double crochet in the last stitch of the first row, the one you just marked, and mark the stitch you made.

Now double crochet in each stitch across, nine more times, moving the marker as needed, to finish row two. The last double crochet is made in the first double crochet that was marked (blue marker above).

We now have a repeating pattern. Chain 2, turn your work, double crochet in each stitch across (10 times). Repeat until you’ve crocheted as many rows as you want.

Double crocheting a flat piece (counting the chain as a stitch)

As with the single crochet and half double crochet stitches one can count the chains at the beginning of a row as a stitch which gives a different look to the work. Below we have 5 rows of 10 double crochets, not counting the chains to the left and counting the chains to the right.

Personally, I think not counting the chains as a stitch is the prettier option, it’s also easier. So don’t sweat it if you don’t feel like learning how to count the chains as a stitch right now.

Anyhow, this how it’s done: chain 9 + 3, marking two loops of the twelfth chain with a stitch marker. Double crochet in the fourth chain from the hook and in each chain across, 9 times in total. Mark the next to last stitch. Count the stitches and make sure you have 10 counting the marked chain. *Chain 3, marking the third chain in the same way as before and turn your work. Double crochet in the stitch you marked in the previous row (or skip 1 stitch).  Then double crochet in each stitch across, 7 more times. Now double crochet in the chain you marked in the beginning of the previous row by inserting the hook under the same two loops as the stitch marker. Count the stitches and repeat from *.

Now you know how to crochet a flat piece two ways using double crochets!