How to Double Crochet Stitch (dc) for Beginners

The Double Crochet Stitch is one of the most popular and versatile crochet stitches around. It’s a very simple stitch that you can learn quickly! Ready to learn how to work double crochet? This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to double crochet with written instructions, as well as photo demonstrations. I’ll give you lots of tips and tricks for working with double crochet in patterns, too.

Double crochet is one most popular and versatile of all crochet stitches. It’s a simple stitch that’s easy to learn and fun to do. The double crochet stitch, abbreviated DC, is one of the six most common crochet stitches. You can work double crochet in rows, joined rounds, or continuous spiral rounds.

Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic double crochet stitch, you can start to explore its many variations.

Working in Different Loops: You can work a double crochet in either the front or back loops to create different textures.

Double Crochet Ribbing: If you work rows of double crochet in the back loop only (DC BLO), you can create a stretchy ribbing that’s ideal for sweater hems and cuffs.

Herringbone Double Crochet: This stitch technique will give you a solid fabric with a beautiful zig-zag effect.

Front Post/Back Post Double Crochet: This technique allows you to create crochet cables, stretchy ribbing, and ultra-textured stitch patterns like the waffle stitch and the basketweave stitch.

Corner to Corner Crochet. Double crochet stitches are often used to create graphic designs in Corner-to-Corner Crochet (C2C). For a complete tutorial on this super fun technique, read: How to Corner-to-Corner Crochet (C2C) for Beginners

About Double Crochet Stitch

The double crochet stitch is one of the most basic crochet stitches. Even so, it can still be quite intimidating to new crocheters.

The good news is that once you know how to do one crochet stitch, the others are not too hard to learn! Double crochet is very similar to single crochet – it just has a couple of extra steps.

Abbreviation

Chart Symbol

You will see the single crochet represented by a long “T” shape with a diagonal cross in crochet charts. For a complete list of crochet chart symbols, refer to this table.

Height

A double crochet stitch is a relatively tall stitch. It’s taller than a half double crochet stitch, but shorter than a treble crochet. It’s about twice the height of a single crochet.

Turning Chain

To start a new row of double crochet, make a turning chain of 3 chain stitches. (For reference, a turning chain is a number of chain stitches you make at the beginning of a row to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the next row of stitches.)

The ch-3 often does count as a double crochet stitch. That means you’ll skip the first stitch and work the first double crochet into the second stitch.

Important Note: Some patterns will ask you to make only two chains for a double crochet turning chain. And some patterns will not count the turning chain as a stitch. So, if you’re ever in doubt, check your pattern.

Fabric Made from Double Crochet

Rows of plain single crochet will make a fairly solid crocheted fabric with a good drape. It’s not too dense or stiff, so it’s perfect for making sweaters, baby blankets, scarves, and other items.

More Crochet Stitch Tutorials

If you liked this article on double crochet, you might be interested in these related crochet stitch tutorials:

• How to Slip Stitch in Crochet (sl st) for Beginners
• How to Single Crochet (sc) for Beginners
• How to Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc)
• How to Herringbone Single Crochet Stitch
• How to Crochet Waffle Stitch