The double crochet stitch is a fundamental technique that adds height, texture, and versatility to your crochet projects. Whether you're crafting cozy blankets, stylish garments, or intricate accessories, mastering the double crochet opens up a world of creative possibilities. This guide will walk you through the double crochet stitch in detail, provide expert tips, and highlight common mistakes to avoid, ensuring you achieve a polished and professional finish in your crochet endeavors.
The double crochet (dc) is one of the basic crochet stitches, taller than both the single and half double crochet stitches. It creates a fabric with a moderate amount of openness, offering a balance between density and drape. This makes it ideal for a variety of projects, including blankets, sweaters, shawls, and more.
Double crochet is the foremost stitch I use in the Diamond Cat Sweater pattern because with more space in the stitches, the fabric is breathable and comfortable for my kitty.
Incorporating the double crochet stitch into your projects offers several advantages:
To get started with double crochet, you’ll need the following:
Begin by creating a slip knot and placing it onto your crochet hook. Tighten it just enough so it slides easily along the hook.
Next, make a foundation chain by yarn over (yo) and pulling through the loop on the hook. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches. For this demonstration, I have made 12 chain stitches. You will want to add 2 to the number of stitches you’d like your final piece to be across.
Yarn over, then insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.
Yarn over and pull the yarn through the chain stitch. You should now have three loops on your hook.
Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You should now have two loops remaining.
Yarn over once more and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. Congratulations! You’ve just made your first double crochet stitch.
Repeat steps 3-6 across the entire row. When you reach the end of the row, you can chain three and turn your work to begin a new row of double crochet stitches. Alternatively, if you’d like straighter edges and feel ready to learn another technique, you can try the stacked single crochet (stsc) instead of chaining three!
Here is how the double crochet stitch looks after 5 rows:
To achieve a polished look in your crochet projects, consider the following tips:
Being aware of common pitfalls can help you troubleshoot issues in your crochet work:
The double crochet stitch is incredibly versatile and can be used in various projects:
Mastering the double crochet stitch adds variety and versatility to your crochet projects. Once you’re comfortable with this stitch, you can move on to more advanced techniques like treble crochet, shell stitches, and lace patterns.
Mastering the double crochet stitch is a valuable skill that enhances the quality and variety of your crochet projects. With practice, you'll be able to create beautiful, textured pieces!
Looking for more crochet tips and tutorials? Follow the quick links below for other beginner stitches or head straight to the full techniques page of my website!
How to Do a Half Double Crochet
Simple Dreams Patterns that utilize the double crochet stitch
Diamond Cat Sweater Crochet Pattern
Granny Square Curtain Ties Crochet Pattern
