Photo Tutorial – How To Crochet The Double Crochet Stitch

Dear Artsy Craftsy Friends ,

My sister and I put together a new photo tutorial on how to crochet the double crochet stitch which is one of the most basic crochet stitches . Many patterns are based on the double crochet stitch , along the single , half double and triple crochet stitches . We decided to put together this series of photo tutorials to those of you who face difficulties while watching videos . We truly hope our photo tutorial is of help to you .

For practice only , use any type of yarn you prefer and an appropriate crochet hook . However when you decide to follow a pattern we recommend that you respect the specific instructions and use the suggested yarn and crochet hook size .

We truly advise you to only commit yourself to a large project ( such as a blanket , a cardigan or even a shawl ) using this basic stitch only after you got to completely master it . Many people write to us complaining that their throws and wraps turn up curly , wavy and uneven . You surely need to understand that crocheting is an art that requires a lot of time , a lot of practice , patience , commitment and so much love and passion ! It took us many years , trials and errors to learn to keep our tension steady while crocheting and to progress from beginner to intermediate then to advanced crocheters . And even after so many years of hooking we still do not consider us as real advanced crocheters .

Abbreviations :

ch – chain ;

dc – double crochet stitch ;

YO – yarn over hook ( it refers to the step when you are told to wrap the yarn around the hook while executing a stitch ) .

Let’s start ! Work on a smaller piece to begin with . Chain 12 for your foundation chain ( see image bellow ) This will give you 10 double crochet stitches on first row and throughout unless you decide to increase or decrease the project .

Row 1 : Skip first three chains of the foundation chain ( these 3 chains count as as a double crochet stitch here and throughout ) ; YO once ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) and insert your hook in the 4th ch from the hook ; YO once and pull the yarn through the ch of the foundation chain ( now you have 3 loops on your hook ) ; YO once and pull the yarn through first 2 loops on your hook ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) ; YO one last time and pull the yarn through last 2 remaining loops on your hook to complete the double crochet stitch . ( see following images )

Let’s make a second dc together : YO once ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) and insert your hook in the next ch of the foundation ch ; YO once and pull the yarn through the ch ( now you have 3 loops on your hook ) ; YO and pull the yarn through first 2 loops on your hook ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) ; Yo one last time and pull the yarn through last 2 remaining loops on your hook to complete a second dc . ( see images below ) This is how the first 2 completed dc look like . However do not forget that the first 3ch that you skipped at the beginning of the row also count as a dc . Which means there are 3dc in total so far on first row .

Let’s make another dc together : * YO once ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) and insert your hook in the next ch of the foundation chain ; YO once and pull the yarn through the respective ch ( now you have 3 loops on your hook ) ; YO and pull the yarn through first 2 loops on your hook ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) ; YO one last time and pull the yarn through last 2 remaining loops on your hook to complete another dc * . ( see next images )

Now please repeat the steps given between * and * in the previous paragraph in order to finish the first row . The images below will give you visual support while crocheting the last 6dc on first row following the written instructions given above .

When you finish off the last dc in the last ch of the foundation chain , chain 3 and turn your work on the back . We repeat that this beginning ch3 counts as a dc . Take a look at the below image and notice that the position of this beginning ch3 is above the last executed dc on row 1 . This is a very important detail you need to be aware of and get used to . Many beginner crocheters tend to make mistakes at this point in their work , mistaking the chains and stitches . They usually end up increasing their work on the sides .

Row 2 : YO once ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) and insert your hook in the second dc from row 1 , below the 2 loops on top of the stitch ; YO once and pull the yarn through the stitch ( now you have 3 loops on your hook ) ; YO once and pull the yarn through first 2 loops on your hook ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) ; YO one last time and pull the yarn through last 2 remaining loops on your hook to complete a dc on row 2 . ( see images below )

Let’s continue making more dc together : * YO once ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) and insert your hook in the next dc from previous row , below the 2 loops on top of the stitch ; YO and pull the yarn through the stitch ( now you have 3 loops on your hook ) ; YO once and pull the yarn through first 2 loops on your hook ( now you have 2 loops on your hook ) ; YO one last time and pull the yarn through last 2 remaining loops on your hook to finish another dc on row 2 * . ( see next images )

There are 3dc completed on row 2 , if you did not forget to count the beginning ch3 . Now please repeat the steps between * and * in the previous paragraph six more times to complete 9dc on second row . Crocheting the last dc on this row requires further explanation so we shall meet at the end of this row . You should continue taking a look at the following images which will give you visual support while practicing the written instructions .

Making the last dc on this row is just a little delicate because its position is above the first beginning ch3 that you skipped when you began your work on row 1 . When you get at this point in your work , follow the same steps we hope you got used by now , but instead of inserting your hook in the respective dc , below the 2 loops on top of the stitch , now you need to insert your hook in the first ch of the beginning ch3 , behind the front 2 loops of that chain . Sometimes this step is quite challenging because you could tend to execute these chains a little too tightly . Which is why we recommend that you use a smaller hook to insert in this chain and continue making the last dc using your usual/recommended hook . Do not forget to chain 3 and turn your project on the other side .

From now on your work is a repeat of row 2 so we suggest that you go back to the instructions given previously in order to make more rows . However we attached further photos to give you more visual support for more completed rows .

You may have noticed by now that the sides of your work are turning slightly ugly because of the beginning ch3 which is replacing a dc . Do not worry about this issue , There are many ways and techniques to add a border/edge to your project to make it look prettier . My sister and I will come up with an article showing you a few ways to make various borders around your work .

We truly hope our tutorial was of help to you . We kindly ask you to spread the word around about our website through sharing and liking ! We kindly thank you for your support !

Happy hooking ,
The Coolorburbians .

 

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