If you already know how to single crochet and how to half double crochet, you’re ready for your next basic stitch: the double crochet (DC). It’s taller, drapier, and perfect for airy blankets, shawls, simple garments, and classic granny squares.
In this tutorial you’ll learn:
- What double crochet means in US terms
- How to prepare your foundation chain
- 6 easy steps to make a double crochet stitch
- How to double crochet in rows and in the round
- Common mistakes and how to fix them
By the end, you’ll feel confident using double crochet in real patterns.
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What Is a Double Crochet (DC)?
In US crochet terms, double crochet is abbreviated:
- dc = double crochet
Quick summary of the movement:
Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.
It creates:
- A taller stitch than HDC
- More drape and flexibility
- Little “gaps” between rows, perfect for lacy or lightweight projects
👉 If you’re used to UK terms:
US double crochet (dc) = UK treble crochet (tr).
In this article we’re using US terms only.
Materials You Need
To practice how to double crochet, use:
- Yarn
- Medium weight (Category 4) yarn
- Smooth, light color so you can see each stitch
- Hook
- Size recommended on the yarn label (often 4.0–5.0 mm for worsted)
- Extras (optional)
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
If you want a quick reminder about yarn categories and hook sizes, you can always check the Council yarn weight chart.
Before You Start: Know Your Basics
Double crochet will feel much easier if you already know:
- How to crochet a chain stitch
- How to single crochet (SC)
- How to half double crochet (HDC)
For this DC practice swatch, start with a foundation chain of 13:
- Make a slip knot.
- Ch 13.
You’ll work Row 1 of double crochet into this chain.
How to Double Crochet in 6 Easy Steps
This section explains how to double crochet into a foundation chain using US terms.
Step 1 – Yarn over first
Look at your foundation chain. To begin Row 1:
- You’ll work your first stitch into the 4th chain from the hook.
- The 3 skipped chains will act as a turning chain (they usually count as the first dc).
Before inserting your hook:
- Yarn over (yo) once.
- You now have the yarn wrapped around the hook and 1 loop on the hook.
Step 2 – Insert the hook into the 4th chain from the hook
- Count back 4 chains from your hook.
- Insert your hook into the 4th chain from the hook (under the top loop or both loops).
You should see the hook going through the chain with the yarn already wrapped around it.
Step 3 – Yarn over and pull up a loop
- Yarn over again.
- Pull the yarn through the chain.
You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 4 – Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
- Yarn over once more.
- Pull through the first 2 loops on the hook.
You now have 2 loops remaining on your hook.
Step 5 – Yarn over and pull through last 2 loops
- Yarn over again.
- Pull through the final 2 loops on the hook.
You’ve made 1 double crochet (dc) 🎉
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Step 6 – Repeat across the row
To continue Row 1:
- Yarn over.
- Insert hook into the next chain.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over, pull through 2 loops.
- Yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.
Repeat until you reach the end of the chain.
- With our 13 chains, you’ll have:
- 1 turning chain group (ch-3) that counts as a dc
- 10 more dc
So you’ll see a row of 11 “posts” total.
Watch the DC movement in real time
Now that you’ve read how to double crochet step by step, it’s time to see it in action:
👉 YouTube Short – How to Double Crochet (DC):
How to Double Crochet in Rows
Now let’s build a little DC rectangle.
1. Turning chain for DC
At the end of Row 1:
- Ch 3, then turn your work.
- This ch-3 usually counts as the first dc of the next row.
2. Row 2 and beyond
Row 2:
- After the ch-3, skip the first stitch (because the ch-3 counts as that stitch).
- Work 1 dc in each stitch across the row.
- At the end, work your last dc into the top of the ch-3 from the previous row so the edge stays straight.
Continue like this to build rows of double crochet and practice even tension.
How to Double Crochet in the Round
Double crochet in the round is used for:
- Granny squares
- Top-down sweaters
- Circle blankets and mandalas
1. Start with a ring
Choose one method:
- Magic ring, or
- Ch 4, slip stitch into first chain to form a ring
For practice:
- Magic ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc), then work 11 dc into the ring (12 dc total).
- Slip stitch to the top of the ch-3 to close the round.
2. Increase evenly
Next round:
- Ch 3 (counts as dc).
- Work 1 dc into the same stitch, then 2 dc into each stitch around to double the stitch count.
For granny squares:
- You’ll usually combine blocks of dc and chain spaces in each corner, but the basic double crochet movement remains the same.
Common Mistakes When Learning How to Double Crochet
1. Putting the hook in the wrong chain to start
Symptom: your row is too short or too long.
Fix:
When learning how to double crochet, always start in the 4th chain from the hook, and remember that the first 3 chains count as the first dc.
2. Only pulling through 2 loops once
Symptom: your stitch looks too short, more like a half double crochet.
Fix:
Double crochet has two “pull-through” steps:
- Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 → 2).
- Yarn over, pull through 2 loops again (2 → 1).
3. Gappy edges
If the edges of your swatch have big holes or look zigzag:
- Make sure you’re ending the row in the top of the ch-3 turning chain.
- Make sure you’re not adding extra stitches in the side of the turning chain.
4. Uneven height stitches
To make your double crochet stitches even:
- Try to pull the new loop on your hook to roughly the same height every time before you yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
- Watch your Short and copy the height and rhythm until your hands remember it.
Easy Projects Using Only Double Crochet
Once you’re comfortable with how to double crochet, try one of these:
- Simple DC scarf
- Ch to your desired width, then work dc rows until the scarf is long enough.
- Double crochet baby blanket
- Work rows of dc with color changes for easy stripes.
- Granny stripe sample
- Work rows of dc clusters (3 dc in the same space) separated by chain spaces. Great practice for many modern blanket patterns.
FAQ – How to Double Crochet
Is double crochet good for beginners?
Yes, learning how to double crochet is perfect for beginners once you know chains and single crochet. The movement is repetitive and great for bigger, faster projects.
How many chains do I skip for double crochet?
When practicing how to double crochet, you usually skip 3 chains from the hook and work your first dc into the 4th chain. Those 3 chains count as a turning chain.
Why are there holes in my double crochet fabric?
Because double crochet is taller, small gaps are normal. But if you see very large holes while learning how to double crochet, you may be using a hook that’s too big or working very loosely.
What should I learn after double crochet?
After you feel confident with how to double crochet, you can mix SC, HDC, and DC in simple stitch patterns, try granny squares, and explore taller stitches like treble crochet.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to double crochet completes your trio of basic stitches: SC, HDC, and DC. With these three, you can follow most beginner patterns and start designing your own simple projects.
- Practice a small rectangle in rows
- Try a few rounds in a ring for circles or granny motifs
- Then jump into your first full DC project: a scarf, baby blanket, or airy shawl
From here, every new texture will feel like just a small variation on what you already know.
