Advanced Double Crochet Projects

When you’re ready to take your crochet skills to the next level, tackling advanced projects like intricate patterns and baby blankets can be both challenging and rewarding. Mastering these will allow you to create stunning, heirloom-quality items.

Creating Different Patterns

Patterns add life to any crochet project, and with advanced double crochet techniques, you can create an array of complex designs. For starters, try your hand at incorporating post stitches to add texture, or mix in some filet crochet for delicate openness in your work.

Crochet Baby Blankets

Download Patterns: Crochet Baby Blankets

Baby blankets are timeless crochet projects that not only appear intricate but also offer a loving touch to a practical item. Here’s a simple guide you can follow to start:

With these advanced projects, you’ll not only refine your double crochet skills but also have the chance to craft treasures that are as much a pleasure to make as they are to give.

How to Double Crochet (US) Step by Step Photo Tutorial

This beginner friendly crochet tutorial will show you how to double crochet stitch step by step with a photo of each step along the way! The double crochet stitch is a very easy, beginner friendly crochet stitch pattern that is so versatile and can can be used for so many crochet projects!

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Find the photo tutorial instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Etsy by clicking here.

In a hurry? Pin this for later when you have more time.

I remember learning to crochet. Many of the patterns I tried used single crochet – I guess because it is a few less steps? I also remember the frustration of crocheting slowly because I was new at it, and it taking forever to get anywhere (because single crochet is a short stitch). So, I think the double crochet is a nice place to start for beginner crocheters, and extremely versatile! Plus, if you can do a double crochet, you can easily do a single and half double crochet.

For this tutorial, I am using Lily Sugar n Cream in Hot Green, and an H8/5mm hook.

I am not creating anything new here, but I did take the time to take the photos, edit them, and put this tutorial together, so please respect my work. Do not pin or share any of the tutorial images – just the main photo. Provide the link for others to find my page (help out me and my blog with the traffic). Do not copy and paste my work anywhere. Thank you!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some issues that beginners have when they first learn double crochet.

Stitch count errors: If it looks like your swatch is growing, shrinking, or skewing diagonally, you may have some stitch count errors. You might not realize it, but you are probably adding or subtracting stitches where they don’t belong.

Here are some tips to fix it.

• The turning chain counts as a stitch, so don’t make a dc into the first stitch of the row. Doing so produces an extra stitch. So, make the first dc into the next stitch.
• Make the last dc of the row into the top of the turning chain from the previous row. Missing this last stitch will subtract a stitch from your stitch count.
• Be sure to count your stitches frequently to ensure you haven’t accidentally gained (or lost) any stitches along the way.

Uneven edges: If you find that you have unsightly gaps at the beginning of the row, try chaining two instead of three stitches for the turning chain. This shorter turning chain can help minimize the appearance of holes at the beginning of the rows.

How to Double Crochet in the Round

Working double crochet in the round is as easy as working double crochet in rows. There are two ways to work double crochet in the round

• in joined rounds
• in continuous spiral rounds.

Joined Rounds

Here’s how to work double crochet in joined rounds: Start a new round with a chain-3. The chain counts as a stitch. Continue around to the last stitch. Make the last stitch of the round. Join the last stitch of the round with a slip stitch to the top of the ch-3. This closes the round.

Continuous/Spiral rounds

It’s a little less common to work double crochet in continuous rounds, but you can do it.

To work in continuous/spiral rounds: When you get to the last stitch of the round, simply continue to the first stitch of the following round. There is no slip stitch to join the rounds, and there is no turning chain between rounds.

Tip: When working in continuous rounds, mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker. That way, you won’t lose your place.

To make a DC increase, simply make 2 DC in one stitch. The increase will add one stitch to your stitch count.

You can make even larger increases by working three or even four double crochets into the same stitch.

How to do a Double Crochet Decrease

Traditional Double Crochet Decrease

In patterns, you may see the double crochet written as “dc dec” or “dc2tog”. Here’s how to make it.

• Insert the hook into the first stitch. Work a double crochet until the last step, where two loops remain on the hook. Keep those two loops on the hook.
• Insert the hook into the next stitch. Work another double crochet until the last step. There should be three loops that remain on the hook.
• Then, yarn over and draw through all three loops on the hook. This completes a normal double crochet decrease.