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Sweety Dreamz
US: dcUK: trBeginner

Double Crochet: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Double crochet is tall, quick and drapey. It is the stitch behind granny squares, many blankets and shawls, and the clusters and shells in lace. In UK terms it is called treble crochet.

Turning chain
3 chains (often count as the first stitch)
Height
About twice as tall as a single crochet

Step by step

  1. 12 loops on hook

    1. Yarn over

    Wrap the yarn over the hook once.

  2. 23 loops on hook

    2. Insert and pull up a loop

    Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You have 3 loops on the hook.

  3. 32 loops on hook

    3. Through two

    Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops. Two loops remain.

  4. 41 loop on hook

    4. Through the last two

    Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. One double crochet is done.

Illustrations show the hook and the loops on it at the end of each step. Instructions use US terms (dc); in UK patterns this stitch is written as tr.

Video tutorial

The video for this stitch is being filmed

Follow the illustrated steps above in the meantime. Add the YouTube ID in the stitch data to publish it here.

Tips

  • If the ch 3 counts as a stitch, remember to work your last stitch into the top of the turning chain.
  • For a neater edge, try a "stacked" first double crochet instead of chain 3.

Common mistakes

There are gaps next to the turning chain.
Use a stacked double crochet, or chain 2 instead of 3 if your chains are loose.
My piece grows or shrinks.
Check whether the turning chain counts, and work into the top of it at the end of the row if it does.

Questions

What is double crochet in UK terms?

Treble crochet (tr). The UK "dc" means single crochet, so always check which terms a pattern uses.

Why is my double crochet fabric so holey?

Double crochet is naturally open. For a denser fabric use a smaller hook or switch to half double crochet.

Practise the Double Crochet

Patterns where this stitch plays a starring role.

Keep Learning

All stitches

Next up: Treble Crochet