Lesson 5: Double Crochet

Hello and welcome to today’s lesson: double crochet.

Double Crochet Sample

Double crochet is very similar to half-double. Many of the steps are the same. It is a little taller and a bit more open looking than single or half-double.

Abbreviations
ch = chain
lp = loop
hdc = half-double crochet
sc = single crochet
yo = yarn over
dc = double crochet
sts = stitches
st = stitch

Please refer back to previous lessons for more detailed explanation of abbreviations.

I am trying something new in this lesson...restraint. I will be using fewer photos; I hope that fewer images will actually make the instructions easier to follow. If not, let me know!

Materials
In this lesson, I am using 30 gauge copper wire and a no.8 crochet hook. I will also use a pocket scribe, wire nippers, and needle nose pliers.

Lets get started learning Double Crochet (dc)! The sample will be 9 stitches wide and 9 stitches tall.

To Start
Make a base chain of 12 stitches.

Chain 12

Row 1
Then, yarn over and insert the hook into the 5th stitch from the hook.

YO and insert hook...

 Yarn over and draw up a loop. You should now have three loops on the hook.

Three loops on the hook.

 Yarn over again.

Three loops and a YO.

This is where it is a bit different from the half-double crochet. Draw the yo through two loops on the hook. You should have two loops remaining on the hook.

Two loops remain on the hook.

YO again.

Two loops and a YO on the hook.

Draw the yo through the remaining two loops. You should now have one loop on the hook. You just finished a dc!

The first completed DC.

On to the next stitch.
YO and insert your hook into the next ch. YO and draw up the lp. You should have three loops on the hook.

Three loops on the hook, again.

YO and draw the yo through only two loops on the hook. Now, two loops remain on the hook.

And, two loops on the hook.

YO again and draw the yo through the two remaining hooks. You have one remaining loop on the hook and two completed dc (plus a turning chain).

This is actually three completed dc plus a turning chain.

You will repeat six more times:
yo, insert hook into next st, yo, draw up lp (three lps on hook), yo and draw through two loops on hook (two lps on hook), yo and draw through two remaining loops on hook.

Once you have filled up your base chain with double crochet stitches for a total of 8 dc and the turning chain = 9 stitches, chain 3 for the turning chain.

First row complete plus the turning chain.

Opening the Stitches
Pull out your hook and use the scribe to open up the tops of the stitches.

Opening the loops. Skip the base of the turning chain!

Be sure to get both parts of the top of a stitch when you are opening the loops.

The two loops that make the top of a stitch.

And, be sure to open the top of the turning chain. It looks different from the double crochet stitches.

Opening the top of the turning chain.

Row 2
Put your hook back into the new turning chain and turn the work. YO and insert the hook into the first stitch. Be sure you skip the base of the turning chain!

Starting the second row.

Yo and draw up the loop. You are back to three stitches on the hook. Carry on as before.

Three on hook.

Always make sure you are inserting the hook into both loops of the stitch below when you start a new stitch. There are times when a pattern calls for working in the front or back of a stitch but, generally, you want to work through the whole stitch.

Top view of hook in both loops of the stitch below.

When you have completed a turning chain plus seven stitches, you still have one double crochet left to complete the row. It goes in the top of the turning chain from the row below. Don’t skip that stitch, even though it looks a little different!

Hook in the top of the turning chain of the row below.

After you complete the last stitch in the row, chain three for the turning chain and remove your hook.
Open up the new row of stitches with your pocket scribe and then repeat row two until you are done.

Two rows done plus a turning chain.

Finishing Out
Once you have finished making as many rows as you like (I did nine in this sample),
work through your last stitch and nip the wire. Tie in your ends as explained in previous lessons and then stretch your sample.

Stretch the sample.

Abbreviations
Your new abbreviation for this week is dc for double crochet.

The instructions for this lesson in abbreviated format are as follows:

start: ch 12
row 1: dc in 5th ch from hook, dc 7 sts more. ch 3, turn.
row 2: dc 8 sts. ch 3, turn.
rows 3-8: repeat row 2.
row 9: dc 8 sts. Cut off and draw up lp.

The samples: single, half-double, and double crochet.

Thank you for joining me. Those of you who have been waiting patiently for a new lesson, please accept my heartfelt apologies. I am committed to getting back on schedule and the next lesson, Triple Crochet, will be posted on Wednesday.

Did you like the format with fewer photos? Let me know in the comments section. Please feel free to ask questions, as well.