Beginner Basics...
Crochet 101: Double Crochet (DC)
One of the most popular of crochet stitch patterns, Double Crochet (abbreviated as DC) is one of the four basic crochet stitches, which are taught to new crocheters. In UK terminology, this stitch is referred to as Treble Crochet, not to be confused with the stitch called Treble Crochet in US terms.
Double Crochet follows after Single Crochet and Half Double Crochet. Because the stitches are taller, Double Crochet fabric works up quickly with distinct gaps visible between each stitch. It can be used for many applications from baby items to home decor and is the stitch most often used in classic granny square patterns. When combined with other stitches, Double Crochet can be used to create an endless number of beautiful crochet patterns.
For this tutorial, we used Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn in color #622 Daffodil Yellow -- part of the Tudor Garden Collection, along with a size US G (4mm) crochet hook. When first learning to crochet, it's important to choose smooth, light colored yarns that are easy to work with, which helps prevent mistakes. The yarn we chose for this tutorial is excellent for beginners, being affordable and available in a wide array of beginner-friendly colors.
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What We'll Cover:
> Stitch Characteristics of Double Crochet
To begin your piece, create a foundation chain. For Double Crochet, your foundation chain will be the number of stitches you want, plus 2. For our example, we wanted 14 stitches, so we made a 16-stitch foundation chain:
To begin your first stitch, 'yarn over' by wrapping the yarn clockwise around the hook.
To begin your first stitch, insert your hook into the 3rd stitch of the foundation chain. As always, the loop on your hook (indicated by yellow arrow) does not count as a stitch. Beginning with the next stitch to the left, count to the 3rd stitch (blue arrow). This is where you'll insert your hook.
Insert the hook into that 3rd stitch:
Yarn over again (in a pattern this would be abbreviated as yo).
Pull the yarn-over loop through the first stitch (chain stitch) on your hook. You should now have 3 stitches remaining on your hook.
Yarn over again...
...and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. This will leave you with 2 loops remaining.
Yarn over once more...
...and pull through both remaining loops to complete the stitch.
Congratulations! You've completed your first Double Crochet stitch!
To finish the row, simply repeat this process, working a DC into each stitch in the foundation chain.
A common mistake that new crocheters make is accidentally skipping the final stitch at the end of the row. This will leave you 1 stitch short when you begin the next row and your work will begin to shrink. Here, we see an uncompleted row, where the final stitch has yet to be worked:
Once we work that final stitch, our row is complete:
In a side-by-side comparison, we can see the difference between a completed row (at right) and a row where the final stitch has not been worked (left):
Once you finish your row, you have to work a turning chain before continuing to the next row. For Double Crochet, the turning chain will be 3 stitches.
The purpose of a turning chain in crochet is to bring the yarn up to the proper level for beginning the next row. This is especially important with taller stitches, such as Double Crochet.
​Once you work the turning chain, turn the work around, so the hook is on the right side.
To work your 2nd (and all subsequent) rows, begin by inserting the hook into the 3rd stitch, as you did on the first row. Then, DC across until you reach the end of the row.
When first learning to crochet, it's helpful to count your stitches as you work, to be sure you're working the same number of stitches on each row.
The image below shows our completed second row:
A quick look at a partially completed row of Double Crochet shows how tall DC stitches are. For projects where having holes between the stitches is not an issue, Double Crochet is an ideal stitch because its height causes the fabric to work up very quickly.
Once your piece measures the desired length, cut the yarn, leaving a short tail.
Pull the crochet hook to draw the tail through...
Then, weave in both yarn ends and your piece is complete!
For our example swatch below, we worked 7 rows of Double Crochet.
Characteristics of Double Crochet
The individual stitches are easy to identify in a piece of DC fabric, since they are separated by distinct spaces. Depending on the yarn weight and hook size, these holes can range from very small spaces -- suitable for a baby blanket or sweater -- to large, gaping holes that are ideal for a summer cover-up or market bag.
Double Crochet has many uses, not the least of which is its star role in traditional granny squares where clusters of DC stitches are worked together to create the geometric Granny Stitch pattern.
In a side-by-side comparison with Single Crochet, which is the densest of the 4 basic crochet stitches, you can see how airy Double Crochet stitches are:
How to Practice Double Crochet
If you've already mastered the Half Double Crochet stitch, getting used to Double Crochet is easy.
Even if you're already a pro at HDC, it still can't hurt to get a little practice before moving on to the next step in your crochet education.
Because Double Crochet works up quickly, you can create fun, practice projects in no time, such as...
BABY BLANKETS:
A rewarding project if you have little ones in your life (or will soon!) is a baby blanket. While it may seem like a big project, a Double Crochet baby blanket works up in no time and is the perfect way to hone your DC skills.
To begin, choose a soft, washable, worsted-weight yarn such as a pure cotton or acrylic.
The Paintbox Cotton Aran yarn used in this tutorial is an excellent choice and comes in many cute baby colors! Choose the hook size recommended on your yarn's ball band -- likely a US G (4mm) or US H (5mm). Create a foundation chain 30" or 40" wide (depending on whether you want a stroller or crib size blanket).
Work every row in Double Crochet, remembering your turning chain between rows and beginning your rows by inserting into the 3rd stitch. Once your blanket measures 30" long (for strollers) or 60" long (for cribs), cut the yarn, leaving a long enough tail to weave into the work.
Weave in your ends and your new heirloom will be complete!
SCARVES:
A traditional beginner project, scarves are easy to make and almost always get put to good use!
Choose a worsted weight wool or wool/acrylic blend yarn, such as Cascade 220, Ella Rae Classic Wool or Paintbox Wool Mix Aran. Decide how wide you want your scarf to be and create a foundation chain of that length (plus 2).
Work rows of Double Crochet, until your scarf measures the desired length, counting your stitches, at least periodically, to be sure you're not loosing or gaining stitches. And be sure to always work your turning chain between rows. When your scarf is the desired size, you can add an extra flare by cutting 12" lengths of yarn and attaching them to the ends of the scarf to create a fringe.
PILLOWS:
If you love having throw pillows around the home, this is the practice project for you!
Pillows work best with a soft, durable yarn such as pure cotton or a cotton blend and a US G or H (4-5mm) hook. Yarns such as Paintbox Cotton Aran, Paintbox Recycled Cotton Worsted or Caron Cotton Cakes would work well for this purpose.
Buy, or sew, a pillow insert of the desired size.
Measure the width of the insert and create a foundation chain 1 inch wider than the insert size. Work in Double Crochet until your piece is twice the height of the pillow insert. Fold it around the insert to check the fit, adding extra rows as needed. Once the size is correct, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.
Using safety pins, secure the piece of crochet fabric around the pillow insert. Thread the long tail onto a tapestry needle and use it to seam around the three open sides, to encase the insert.
Quick Visual: Double Crochet
A quick, 'at-a-glance' reference for working Double Crochet:
​Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found helpful information for your next crochet project.
If you have questions, comments or ideas for tutorials you’d like to see, please leave us a comment below.