Doing a Double Crochet

The double crochet (abbreviated dc) is one of the most common crochet stitches and is about twice as tall as a single crochet. A fabric made of all double crochet stitches is fairly solid but not stiff and is great for sweaters, shawls, Afghans, placemats, or any number of other home decor items. You can also combine the double crochet stitch with other stitches to produce many interesting patterns and textures.

First things first: Row 1

The following steps set you up to work your first double crochet stitch:

1. Make a foundation chain by doing 15 chain stitches (ch 15).

2. Chain 3 more stitches for the turning chain.

Now for your first double crochet stitch:

1. Yarn over the hook (yo).

Remember to yarn over from back to front.

2. Insert your hook between the 2 front loops and under the back bump loop of the fourth chain from the hook (see Figure 1a).


Figure 1: Beginning a double crochet stitch.

3. Yarn over the hook.

4. Gently pull the wrapped hook through the center of the chain stitch, carrying the wrapped yarn through the stitch.

Now, you should have 3 loops on your hook (refer to Figure 1b).

5. Yarn over the hook.

6. Draw your yarn through the first 2 loops on your hook (see Figure 2a).


Figure 2: Drawing your yarn through the loops.

7. Yarn over the hook.

8. Draw your yarn through the last 2 loops on the hook (refer to Figure 2b).

One double crochet (dc) stitch is complete. You should have one loop remaining on your hook.

To finish your first row of double crochet, work 1 double crochet stitch in each successive chain stitch across the foundation chain, beginning in the next chain of the foundation chain as Figure 3a shows. You should have 16 double crochet stitches in Row 1 (counting the turning chain as the first double crochet).


Figure 3: Finishing the first row of double crochet.

Take a look at Figure 3b to see what the end of the first row of double crochet looks like.

Turn around and begin again: Row 2

To work the second row of double crochet, follow these steps:

1. Turn your work so that the back side is facing you.

2. Chain 3 (ch 3; for the turning chain).

3. Yarn over the hook (yo).

4. Skipping the first stitch of the row directly below the turning chain, insert your hook in the next stitch (see Figure 4a).

Figure 4b shows you the wrong place to insert your hook.


Figure 4: Inserting hook for the first stitch of second row.

5. Repeat Steps 3 through 8 from the previous section in each of the next 14 double crochet (dc) stitches. Be sure to yarn over before inserting your hook in each stitch.

6. Work 1 double crochet in the top chain of the previous row's turning chain (see Figure 5).

You should have 16 double crochet stitches in Row 2 (counting the turning chain as 1 double crochet).


Figure 5: Insert the hook in the top chain of the turning chain.

Repeat these steps for each additional row of double crochet. Continue until you feel comfortable working this stitch. Figure 6 shows you how rows of double crochet look as a fabric.


Figure 6: Several rows of double crochet.

Don't work a stitch into the first stitch of the row after the turning chain. Doing so produces an extra stitch, and if you continue to add a stitch in each row, your design gets wider and wider as it gets longer and longer. Be sure to count your stitches frequently to make sure that you haven't inadvertently gained (or lost) any stitches along the way.

Sometimes, especially when you're working with bulky yarn or a larger than usual hook, the turning chain on a double crochet row leaves a gap at the beginning of the row. To get a neater edge, try chaining 2 instead of 3 stitches for the turning chain.

Comments (12)

  1. Posted by Barbara
    Thank You! I learned this stitch in five minutes. Before finding this website I tried so many other sites and they make it seem like brain surgery. I can now call this stitch simple
  2. Posted by deanna salmon
    thanks so much simple and easl my new grand baby is going to love this
  3. Posted by Brooke
    Thank you, infinitely! I'm 16 and self-taught via internet, that was SOOO much more helpful than any other tutorial I've found. You're amazing.
  4. Posted by page prewitt
    How do I block starched cepcheted place mats. Mine are quite heavy double crochet.and were made by my grandmother. I have washed and starched them with heavy starch.When I strech them with my hands lengthviee they get too narrow. How do I hold them in place to get them back to the correct size? Thank you very much for your help. Page PS: They need something heavy duty to hold them in place because it takews a strong pull to strech them out
  5. Posted by vanessa
    Is there any particular reason for the variation in this stitch that I see in other tutorials? This is the variation: YO go through first ST pull up a loop (there are 3 loops[LP] on the hook) YO go through first LP <-- YO go through next 2 Lp YO go through last 2 Lp Its as if every other tutorial I check via internet and in a few books/magazines demonstrates the DC in EITHER of these variations. Why is this? Will I look like a complete ameteur if I use the "wrong" one? I appreciate your tutorial and look forward to your adivce, thank you!
  6. Posted by Anne Caley
    I have a pattern which asks for 'backwards dc(dc worked from left to right). I cannot find anything to help me with this stitch. Can anybody give me instructions please
  7. Posted by Ellen
    This is the fifth site I've tried, including two yarn companies. These were confusing and full of contradictions. No help at all. This site is extremely well done and easy to follow. Kudos!!!!!
  8. Posted by Linda Kelley
    good evening; i am looking for a simple double crochet pattern for a prayer shawl for my Aunt that just came home from being in one of those terrible terrible nursing homes and i hope that you might have one available that you could share with me. please help me and have a great rest of the evening.
  9. Posted by Sara
    Linda, Try www.lionbrand.com or Lionbrand has many free patterns and their site is very easy to navigate! Warm wishes!
  10. Posted by Kim
    need help with figuring out what is the wrong and right side of afghans using double yarn. Making a afghaqn using a book called Afghans on the double and having trouble with the right and wrong side .
  11. Posted by Saraaaa
    I just wanted, to say thank you SO much for showing and teaching me how to crochet! =] I love the insturctions~! Like one person said that other websites, I found that try to teach you how to corchet are too complicated, to figure out!~ I'm so thankful for you Dummies! I don't know where I'd be, if I haven't learned how to crochet! THANK YOU! :D
  12. Posted by Wendy
    Best double crochet instructions I've seen yet! I'm still having a hard time telling exactly where to insert the hook into the 4th chain (when starting out). Some diagrams show the hook going through 2 pieces of yarn, while others appear to be going through one.

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