Mastering the Double Crochet Stitch: A Comprehensive Guide and Essential Techniques
The double crochet stitch is a widely used stitch in crochet that offers versatility and the ability to create fabric with varying heights and textures. It is a must-know technique to pick up right after mastering the most basic single crochet.
In this article, we'll dive into the world of double crochet, exploring its basic structure, techniques for working the stitch, and the countless creative possibilities it presents.
Table of Contents Show
What is a double crochet stitch?
A double crochet stitch refers to a type of crochet stitch that is 2 times the height of a single crochet stitch. It is taller than a half double crochet and shorter than a treble crochet.
What is double crochet called?
A double crochet is also called a double crochet stitch and the abbreviation in US terms is DC. So when a row states dc5, it is referring to double crochet of 5 stitches.
What is double crochet UK?
A single crochet in US terms is the same as a double crochet in UK terms so don't get confused. Likewise, a double crochet in UK terms actually refers to a treble crochet in US terms.
How do you do a double crochet?
Let's go through the steps in making a double crochet first and then review them in each individual scenario after that.
1. Yarn over first, even before inserting the hook.
2. Then insert hook into desired stitch, where you want the double crochet stitch to be.
3. Yarn over again.
4. Draw yarn through stitch, should have 3 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over yet again (not the last time).
6. Draw yarn only through 2 (of the 3) loops on hook, should have 2 loops left on the hook.
7. Yarn over for the final time.
8. Draw yarn through last 2 loops on the hook, to form the final double crochet.
How to double crochet in a chain?
Similarly, start off with yarn over first, then insert hook into the desired chain, yarn over again, draw yarn through chain, yarn over again, draw yarn through 2 of 3 loops, yarn over last time and pull through last 2 loops.
If you are working from the end of the chain, remember to insert the hook into the second chain from hook.
How to double crochet in a row?
The row that you are working your double crochet stitches off could be a preceding sc or dc row. Or you could be working a row in single crochet first and then decide to switch to double crochet stitches to create an upward slope appearance.
Just like steps 1-8 above, yarn over and insert the hook into the desired stitch, whether it is in the middle or the end of the row. The next part I will talk about what happens when you decide to start the row with double crochet.
How many do you chain for a double crochet?
Assume that you are working from a single crochet row and you want to start the next row with a double crochet. At the end of the row, chain 3 and turn, then continue to work the double crochet into the first stitch from the hook.
Simply because the double crochet is taller than a single crochet, to start off the row without the upward slope appearance (sc then dc), to immediately get the stitches to the right height of the dc, you would have to use a chain of 3.
What is double crochet in a magic circle?
The same concept applies for steps 1-8 above, except yarn over first, then insert the hook into the centre of the magic circle, yarn over, pull loop through centre, and complete the rest of the same steps. You might choose to do a dc inside the start of the magic ring because you want to create a bigger circle at the start or you want to work up the project faster, since taller stitches means the work is finished faster!
How to double crochet in a round?
As for continuing the double crochet in the second round from the magic ring, you could do the upward slope method or you could chain 3 first and then proceed with a dc in the first stitch. The techniques are similar for the row but when done in a round, has slightly different appearances. Pay attention to what is required in the pattern.
How do you double crochet in the front loop only?
The starting part is the same as for hdc. Yarn over first, insert hook underneath the front loop and out in between FLO and BLO. Then yarn over again, pull up loop, yarn over again, then draw through only 2 (of 3) loops. Yarn over for final time and draw through last 2 loops. A dc FLO stitch done.
How do you double crochet in the back loop only?
Yarn over first, insert hook into BLO. Then yarn over again, pull up loop, yarn over again, then draw through only 2 (of 3) loops. Yarn over for final time and draw through last 2 loops. A dc BLO stitch done.
What does it mean to increase double crochet?
An increase in double crochet is similar to the above but this time, you will be working 2 double crochet stitches in the same stitch. Let us talk about the abbreviations first.
What is the abbreviation of double crochet increase?
The abbreviation for double crochet increase is simply 2dc in the next stitch. For my patterns, I use the abbreviation 2dc1 or 2 double crochet in the same 1 stitch.
What does 2dc mean?
Like I mentioned above, 2dc refers to a double crochet increase. Some other pattern designers might write it differently.
What does dc2 mean crochet?
Do not confuse dc2 with 2dc! So if you see dc2 in the pattern, it actually refers to double crochet in the next 2 stitches, NOT a double crochet increase.
What does DC INC mean?
This is the other way to write a double crochet increase apart from 2dc. The pattern will go something like this: 'dc inc in the next st' instead of '2dc in the next st'. They both essentially mean the same thing, which is a double crochet increase!
How do you increase a double crochet stitch?
Perform a regular double crochet inside a stitch (whether in a row or round but more on that later), then repeat the same process with another double crochet inside the same stitch. To learn more about how to do all the different basic crochet stitches, remember to check out this article first, 'How to Learn Basic Crochet Stitches step by step for Absolute Beginners - 6 Easy Steps!'.
How do you increase double crochet in the middle of a row?
Crocheting a double crochet increase in the middle of the row will produce a crescent like for the single crochet example above. This time, because the double crochet stitch is taller than that of the single crochet, the crescent will be fatter in the middle. An example below is included:
Chain 6.
Row 1: Dc1, 2dc3, dc1 - 8st
(Alternatively, Row 1: Dc1, 2dc in next 3st, dc1 - 8st
Or, Row 1: Dc1, dc inc in next 3st, dc1 - 8st)
In this example above, I worked into a double crochet straight away from the chain, without any preceding chain. For that example, read on below.
How many do you chain for a double crochet increase?
Just like how I mentioned inside my basic crochet stitches article, chain 3 before doing a double crochet stitch and you can similarly do that for a double crochet increase as well. For the same example above, I tweaked it and added in a preceding chain below:
Chain 6.
Row 1: (Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, ch3, dc1), 2dc3, dc1 - 8st (<--- here the chain is not counted as a stitch)
How do you increase a double crochet at the end of a row?
You could increase a double crochet right at the end of the row or you could include the preceding chain of 3 just before doing the double crochet increase. Here are some simple examples:
Chain 6.
Row 1: 2dc1, dc3, 2dc1 - 7st
Or
Chain 6.
Row 1: (Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, ch3, 2dc1), dc3, 2dc1 - 7st
How to increase double crochet in the round?
To make a uniform and larger circle, use double crochet stitches instead of single crochet stitches. Also, do the preceding ch3 before the double crochet only at the start of the round, to get the most uniform circle at the end.
Round 1: Magic ring dc10 - 10st
Round 2: (Sc1, ch3, 2dc1), 2dc9, sl st to top of ch3 - 20st
Round 3: (Ch3, dc1), 2dc1, (dc1, 2dc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch3 - 30st
Round 4: (Ch3, dc1), dc1, 2dc1, (dc2, 2dc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch3 - 40st
The 2nd round has increases throughout, 3rd round alternate increases, 4th round increases every 2 dc stitches and so forth. Hope the pattern does not get too confusing! This was meant to be a simple example.
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What is a 3 double crochet increase?
After a regular double crochet increase, a 3 double crochet increase refers to 3 double crochet stitches within the same stitch. It is a larger increase than just the 2 dc above with an additional double crochet in the same stitch.
What is the abbreviation of 3 double crochet increase?
The abbreviation for 3 double crochet increase or 3 double crochet in the same stitch would be ‘3 dc inc’ or for me, my pattern would put 3dc1, but the former is what is commonly used.
What does it mean 3 DC Inc?
Likewise, 3 dc refers to 3 double crochet increase, or 3 double crochet stitches in the same stitch.
How do you do a 3 double crochet increase?
To do a 3 double crochet increase (3 dc inc), you will work three double crochet stitches into the same stitch or space, effectively increasing the stitch count by two. Follow the steps for one double crochet into the desired stitch, then repeat the same steps again another 2 more times into the same stitch.
How to do a 3 double crochet increase in a row?
Repeat the same steps for double crochet in the same stitch 3 times, this time while working along a row. Working multiple stitches into the same stitch will cause the row to widen, creating an increase in the stitch count. If the increase is in the middle of the row, then you would get a crescent shape, while if at the ends of the rows, you would get a triangle instead.
How to do a 3 double crochet increase in a round?
Similarly for 3 double crochet increase in a round, repeat the same step 3 times, again into the same stitch. This time the appearance, rather than widening the row, you would be widening the taller and circular appearance in a round. If you further increase the dc in the same stitches, you can also get a rippling effect around the round.
Remember to grab my free 45-paged cheat sheet on how to crochet for beginners step by step with pictures PDF download below. It is basically a beginner printable crochet stitch guide with free printable crochet instructions for complete beginners!
Free Beginners Step-by-step Guide
Grab these 45-pages of cheat sheets that will help you with crochet stitches, magic rings, increases and decreases, FLO and BLO. Click on image on left for access!
What is a double crochet decrease?
A decrease in double crochet is crocheting 2 double crochet stitches together to form 1 single double crochet. Much like single crochet above but the steps involved are slightly more complex.
What is the abbreviation of double crochet decrease?
There are different ways crochet patterns write their decreases, so here I included 2 different versions that are commonly used.
What does DC Dec mean in crochet?
Dc dec simply means double crochet decrease and it is quite easy to infer from the short-forms. This is not commonly written, while the next version which is dc2tog is what is most commonly used instead.
Is dc2tog a decrease?
Dc2tog refers to a decrease in double crochet stitches, or 2 double crochet stitches together. For my patterns, I usually use dc2tog1 to represent a 2 dc decrease into 1 stitch only.
How do you decrease in double crochet?
Now that we have gone through the abbreviations, let us go through the steps involved.
1. Yarn over the hook before inserting the hook.
2. Insert your hook into the desired stitch.
3. Yarn over again, pull yarn through the stitch.
4. Yarn over, draw through 2 (of 3) loops, should have 2 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over again, insert hook into next stitch.
6. Yarn over, pull yarn through the stitch, should have 4 loops on the hook.
7. Yarn over, draw through 2 (of 4) loops, should have 3 loops left on the hook.
8. Yarn over for last time.
9. Draw yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
How do you decrease double crochet in the middle of a row?
Decreasing the double crochet in the middle of the row would mean you have one side of the rectangular crochet project that is longer and the other side that is shorter, forming a curved rectangular piece. See the example below:
Chain 11.
Row 1: Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, (ch3, dc1), dc1, dc2tog3, dc2 - 7st
(Alternatively, Row 1: Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, (ch3, dc1), dc2tog in next 3st, dc2 - 7st
Or, Row 1: Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, (ch3, dc1), dc dec in next 3st, dc2 - 7st)
How to decrease double crochet at beginning of row?
If you choose to decrease the double crochet at the beginning and ends of the row, and you progressively repeat this same process for a few rows, you will get a triangle. Remember to include the preceding chain of 3 before the first double crochet decrease. Here is just a short example.
Chain 11.
Row 1: Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, (ch3, dc2tog1), dc6, dc2tog1 - 8st
How to decrease double crochet in the round?
This may or may not be commonly used in amigurumi but I have used this technique for reducing rounds to create a neck continuation from an animal head, but it was done asymmetrically.
Here is an example of a uniform decrease in a circle:
Round 1: Magic ring sc6 - 6st
Round 2: (Ch3, 2dc1 in 1st st), 2dc5 - 12st
Round 3: (Ch3, dc1 in 1st st), 2dc1, (dc1, 2dc1) x 5 - 18st
Round 4: (Ch3, dc1 in 1st st), dc1, 2dc1, (dc2, 2dc1) x 5 - 24st
Round 5: (Ch3, dc1 in 1st st), dc23 – 24st
Round 6: (Ch3, dc1 in 1st st), dc1, dc2tog1, (dc2, dc2tog1) x 5 - 18st
Round 7: (Ch3, dc1 in 1st st), dc2tog1, (dc1, dc2tog1) x 5 - 12st
Round 8: Sc2tog6 - 6st
I made a bigger version of this pattern to make a spaceship saucer.
What is a double crochet cluster?
I decided to mention this briefly for clarity. This is NOT the same as double crochet decrease but the steps are really quite similar. I thought to include it here because I was confused about this for a really long time and to be honest, I might forget and confuse them again!
Do note that a double crochet cluster is NOT a form of decrease (because that is what this post is all about).
What is the abbreviation of double crochet cluster?
Let us start with abbreviations first and then move onto the steps.
What is a 2 double crochet cluster?
A 2 double crochet cluster is when you work 2 double crochet into the same stitch but then join it up together at the top, so it is also not technically a double crochet increase either.
What does 2DC CL mean in crochet?
The abbreviation for 2 double crochet cluster is 2dc cl, so do not confuse this with dc2tog or dc dec.
How do you do a double crochet cluster?
1. Yarn over the hook before inserting the hook.
2. Insert your hook into the desired stitch.
3. Yarn over again, pull yarn through the stitch.
4. Yarn over, draw through 2 (of 3) loops, should have 2 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over again, insert hook into SAME stitch. (<--- this is the part that is different from dc2tog)
6. Yarn over, pull yarn through the stitch, should have 4 loops on the hook.
7. Yarn over, draw through 2 (of 4) loops, should have 3 loops left on the hook.
8. Yarn over for last time.
9. Draw yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
See how all the steps are the same as the double crochet decrease above except for 2 differences:
1) Step 5 in this case involves working back into the same stitch while for dc decrease above, you should be working into the next stitch.
2) Which also means that the method above will result in a decrease (i.e. 1 less stitch) whereas for dc cluster there is no change in the stitch count.
Hope this clarifies, this is also for my own reference in the future in case I forget again!
What is 3 double crochet decrease?
A 3 double crochet decrease refers to double crochet 3 together or decrease down to 1 stitch from 3 stitches. This is also called a 3 double crochet decrease or double crochet 3 together!
What is the abbreviation of 3 double crochet decrease?
The abbreviation for 3 double crochet decrease is much like that for a regular decrease mentioned above, here are the 2 versions below.
What does dc3tog mean in crochet?
Dc3tog refers to double crochet 3 stitches together, so it is technically more than a simple decrease. It is also called a 3 double crochet decrease. For my own patterns, I tend to write dc3tog1.
What is 3 dc dec in crochet?
Decrease in stitches that are more than 2 double crochet together are not commonly written this way but I've decided to include it because there are some patterns written this way. 3 dc dec is technically the same as dc3tog.
How do you do 3 double crochet together?
Let us go through the steps involved.
1. Yarn over the hook before inserting the hook.
2. Insert your hook into the desired stitch.
3. Yarn over again, pull yarn through the stitch.
4. Yarn over, draw through 2 (of 3) loops, should have 2 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over again, insert hook into next stitch.
6. Yarn over, pull yarn through the stitch, should have 4 loops on the hook.
7. Yarn over, draw through 2 (of 4) loops, should have 3 loops left on the hook.
8. Yarn over again, insert hook into next stitch, pull the yarn through to get 5 loops on hook.
9. Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on hook, to get 4 loops remaining.
8. Yarn over for last time.
9. Draw yarn through all 4 loops on the hook.
Keep in mind that the exact instructions may vary depending on the pattern you are following, so always refer to the specific instructions provided. The dc3tog is commonly used to decrease stitches and create shaping in crochet projects.
How to do a double crochet decrease over 3 stitches in a row?
Like the example for the decrease above for the dc2tog, working a bigger decrease (dc3tog) in a row can create a convex or crescent shape, even more curved than the example for the decrease above. See more below:
Chain 10.
Row 1: Sc9 - 9st
Row 2: Dc3tog3 - 3st
Bigger decrease in the number of stitches, from 9 stitches to 3 stitches!
How to do a double crochet decrease over 3 stitches in a round?
A 3 double crochet decrease in a round narrows a sphere far quicker than just a dc2tog decrease, if done uniformly around the round. Just like the example below:
Round 1: Magic ring sc6 - 6st
Round 2: 2sc6 - 12st
Round 3: (Sc1, 2sc1) x 6 - 18st
Round 4: Dc3tog6 - 6st
Consider trying a 3 dc decrease (or dc3tog) asymmetrically in a round or continuously in the whole round to get different appearances at the end.
How to do a double crochet bobble stitch?
The most standard form of a bobble stitch is actually the double crochet bobble stitch, or in short, to make a 4dc bobble stitch:
Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops, (yarn over, insert hook in same st, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 3 times, yarn over, pull through 5 loops on hook.
How to crochet double crochet bobble stitch in a row?
Follow the same steps mentioned above, in a row, either by crocheting the bobble stitches in the same row and then the next next row, with a single crochet row in between with no textures. If you choose to involve bobble stitches in every row, then the bulges will face outwards in opposite directions, which could be the intended outcome.
If you do not know how to tell your right sides from your wrong sides, whether for rows or rounds, check out this comprehensive article on '8 effortless ways to tell Which side of yarn is Right side in Crochet'.
How to crochet double crochet bobble stitch in a round?
For crocheting bobble stitches in a round, you should be crocheting in a continuous clockwise direction and the bulge of the bobble stitch should always be facing outwards, even with each subsequent round. Follow the same steps as listed above and work the bobble stitches inside a round, also remember to leave some spaces in between each double crochet bobble stitch.
How to do a double crochet popcorn stitch?
The most standard form of a popcorn stitch is actually the double crochet popcorn stitch, or in short, to make a 3dc popcorn stitch:
3dc in indicated, remove hook from loop, insert hook through 1st dc of 3-dc group, replace loop on hook, yo, draw tightly through loop and st on hook.
How to crochet double crochet popcorn stitch in a row?
When you crochet the double crochet popcorn stitch in a row, the popcorns will create raised bumps that stand out on the surface of the row. The popcorn stitches will be aligned in a straight line, giving a textured and decorative effect to the row.
How to crochet double crochet popcorn stitch in a round?
When you crochet the double crochet popcorn stitch in a round, the popcorns will create a raised circular or spiral pattern. Each popcorn stitch will be worked in its own stitch or space, and the consecutive popcorns will be placed in a circular manner. This creates a distinct cluster of bulges that are closer together and form a round shape.
The overall appearance of the double crochet popcorn stitch will depend on the pattern and design you are following. Whether worked in a row or in a round, the popcorn stitch adds texture, dimension, and visual interest to your crochet projects.
If you found this article useful, remember to pin to Pinterest for reference later or share there so that others might benefit from reading this too!
Conclusion of Double Crochet Stitches
There you have it, all about double crochet stitches. I have gone through how to crochet it in different situations, increases, decreases and finally a little bit about dc stitches in special stitches like bobble and popcorn stitches. Hope it was comprehensive enough and you have an idea of how you can utilize double crochet stitches in various aspects of your crochet projects and amigurumi!
Also, remember to grab my free 45-paged cheat sheet on how to crochet for beginners step by step with pictures PDF download below. It is basically a beginner printable crochet stitch guide with free printable crochet instructions for complete beginners!
Free Beginners Step-by-step Guide
Grab these 45-pages of cheat sheets that will help you with crochet stitches, magic rings, increases and decreases, FLO and BLO. Click on image on left for access!
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