The Essentials of Double Crochet

Double crochet is a common crocheting stitch, whether you're making a sweater, a shawl, or something fun — like an afghan or placemats — for your home decor. Check out the essentials of double crochet stitches as you get hooked on creative crocheting techniques.

How to Decrease Double Crochet

You can decrease a stitch (abbreviated dec), which is really just subtracting a stitch, in a double crochet row. You decrease stitches in double crochet in the same places that you increase stitches — [more…]

How to Increase Double Crochet at the Beginning of a Row

You can increase double-crochet stitches by adding a stitch at the beginning of the double-crocheted row. Increasing double crochet with this method creates a smooth, tapered edge to your piece. [more…]

How to Make a Half Double Crochet

The half double crochet (abbreviated hdc) is kind of an oddball stitch. The half double crochet falls in between a single crochet and a double crochet in height, but instead of working off two loops at [more…]

How to Make a Double Triple Crochet

The double triple crochet (abbreviated dtr) creates a loose and holey fabric. Double triple crochet is commonly used in lacy designs, particularly doilies and other fine cotton crochet patterns. [more…]

How to Make a Crossed Double Crochet Stitch

For the crossed double crochet stitch (abbreviated crossed dc), you work two double crochet stitches on an angle. When you make a crossed double crochet stitch, you end up with a pattern that looks like [more…]

How to Work Front-Post Double-Crochet Stitches

Front post stitches are raised crochet stitches on the surface of the fabric facing you. You can create a front-post double-crochet (abbreviated FP dc) stitch with these steps and some practice. [more…]

How to Work Back-Post Double-Crochet Stitches

Back post stitches appear to recede on the side of the crocheted fabric that's facing you. You can create a back-post double-crochet (abbreviated BP dc [more…]