Abbreviations

US:  dc
UK:  treble crochet (tr)

Twice the Size; Twice as Fast

Outside of amigurumi, double crochet is one of the most commonly used stitches. It’s almost twice the size of a single crochet which makes it great for blankets, scarves, etc. It stitches up so fast too! Because it’s so tall you’ll be amazed at just how fast you can finish a project.

The Double Crochet

First, we need to make a foundation chain. Let’s start with a chain 14.

1. Yarn over. You should have 2 loops on the hook. Insert your hook in the 4th chain from the hook. Make sure you go under the back bump of the chain.

2. Yarn over. Pull through the chain. You should have 3 loops on your hook.

3. Yarn over. Pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. You should have 2 loops still on your hook after this.

4. Yarn over. Pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook. Finished! You should have 1 loop still on your hook. You’ve just completed your first double crochet. Remember, the first one never looks pretty!

Repeat steps 1-4 in the next chain from the stitch.  Continue until the end of your chain. You should have 12 double crochets at the end. Just like the half double crochet the first 3 chains you skipped count as a double crochet.

Once you’re finished let’s take a look at your double crochet row. Identify each individual stitch. Compare it to your previous pieces of single crochet. Notice the Vs.

To start the next row, chain 3. Since double crochet is a tall stitch we need to start at the correct height. Once you’ve chained 3 turn your work. Yarn over, insert hook into the 2nd stitch of the first row. Yarn over, pull through. 3 loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through the first 2 loops. Yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops on hook. Continue making double crochets. Just like the first row, the chain 3 turning chain counts as a double crochet.

Don’t forget to double crochet into the top of the chain 3 of the previous row at the end!

Alternative

Just like the half double crochet in the previous lesson, the alternative works for the double crochet! The zig-zags and gaps are more noticeable with such a tall stitch so give the alternative a try AFTER you fully learn the correct technique.

Homework

Homework

Practice the double crochet stitch!

Make a piece that is 10 double crochets long. So you’ll need to start with 12 chain stitches. Make 12 rows. Repeat, repeat, repeat! It’ll go so fast you won’t be able to stop!

Quiz

How many chains to you make at the start of a new row of double crochet?

A – 1

B – 2

C – 3

D – 4

What is the correct abbreviation for double crochet in American English terms?

A – tr

B – hdc

C – dc

D – double

What is the correct abbreviation for this stitch in UK English terms?

A – dc

B – tr

C – double

D – hdc

C!

You need 3 chain stitches to make sure you start the row at the correct height!

C!

The correct abbreviation for US English is dc.

B!

This stitch in UK terms is tr. I know it’s confusing, especially since tr is for treble/triple crochet in US terms. This is why it’s very important to take note of what the pattern designer says which terms they are using. Otherwise, you’ll be using the wrong stitches! We go through this a little later on because it’s so important.