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Crochet › Basic stitches

Double crochet

Tall stitches with a visible post, about three chains high; rows of dc have small gaps between the posts. Yarn over, insert into the stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over and pull through the last 2.

What you work it with

Crochet · Tools: A hook for the yarn; any yarn.

Symbol chart

One or two repeats of the stitch pattern, in standard crochet symbols.
1234Chain (ch)Double crochet (dc)Read from the bottom: each row starts at its number, with its turning chain.

Steps

  1. Chain the number of stitches plus 2 (or plus
  2. .
  3. Row 1: dc in the 4th chain from the hook and in each chain.
  4. Turn, ch 3 (counts as a dc).
  5. Skip the first stitch, dc in each stitch, the last one in the top of the turning chain.
  6. Repeat steps 3–4.

The full card

What it looks like
Tall stitches with a visible post, about three chains high; rows of dc have small gaps between the posts.
How it behaves
Drapes well and is quite open; works up fast.
How it works
Yarn over, insert into the stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over and pull through the last 2.
Tools
A hook for the yarn; any yarn.
Parameters
Turning chain: 3 ch, often counted as the first dc, so the first dc goes into the 2nd stitch and the last into the top of the turning chain.
Steps
1) Chain the number of stitches plus 2 (or plus 3). 2) Row 1: dc in the 4th chain from the hook and in each chain. 3) Turn, ch 3 (counts as a dc). 4) Skip the first stitch, dc in each stitch, the last one in the top of the turning chain. 5) Repeat steps 3–4.
Charting
A T with one slash across its stem is one dc. Each row starts with its 3-ch turning chain.
Limits and common problems
A gap beside the turning chain: some crocheters chain 2 instead of 3. Forgetting the last dc in the turning chain makes the piece lose a stitch each row.
Combines with
Half double crochet, Treble crochet, Granny square, Shell stitch, Filet crochet
Pieces and assembly
Blankets, shawls, granny squares and filet; dc is the base of most lace patterns.

Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.

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