Double Crochet

Learn How to Do Double Crochet Stitch (In US Crochet Terminology); Learn How to Work the Double Crochet Stitch in Rows and Rounds; and Also Find Free Patterns for Practicing Your Double Crochet Stitch.

Free Double Crochet Instructions for Beginners

When it comes to crochet, are you a total beginner? Or perhaps you used to crochet a long time ago, and you need a refresher because you can’t remember your stitches. Either way, if you want to learn how to do double crochet stitch, this free tutorial will help.

What Is Double Crochet?

Double crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches. It isn’t either the shortest stitch, or the tallest; it’s in between. The single crochet and half double crochet stitches are both shorter; the treble crochet, double treble crochet and triple treble crochet stitches are all taller.

Basic Crochet Stitches and Terminology

To Work One Double Crochet Stitch:

Begin with an active loop on your crochet hook. If you’ve already crocheted some chain stitches or other stitches, you’ll already have an active loop.

Wrap the yarn over your crochet hook, like this:

To Begin Working a Double Crochet Stitch, First Wrap the Yarn Over Your Crochet Hook

Insert your crochet hook into spot where you want to work your double crochet stitch.

Grab the Yarn With Your Crochet Hook…

Grab the yarn with your crochet hook and pull up a loop; you want to pull it all the way up through the stitch or space you are working through. You’ll have three loops on your hook at this point.

You’ll Have 3 Loops on Your Crochet Hook.

Grab the yarn with your crochet hook and pull it through two of the loops on your hook.

Grab the yarn with your crochet hook and pull it through two of the loops on your hook

Grab the yarn with your hook again and pull it through the remaining two loops on your hook.

Grab the yarn with your hook and pull it through the remaining two loops.

If you worked through all of those steps, you finished one double crochet stitch.

How to Do Double Crochet Stitch in Rows

Free Instructions for Working Double Crochet Stitch in Rows

You can crochet various fabrics comprised of double crochet stitches. There are different ways you could approach this goal, but one of the simplest is making the basic double crochet stitch worked in rows.

To accomplish this, you can begin by crocheting a starting chain of any length greater than about 5 stitches. Then follow the steps below.

Double crochet in the fourth chain from your hook.
Work 1 double crochet stitch in each chain afterwards, until you have worked a double crochet in each chain across the row.
At the end of the row, work 3 chain stitches, which will be your turning chain.
Then turn the work over to the other side so you can work back across the row again.
Sometimes, your turning chain will count as the first stitch in your row, and you will not work another double crochet stitch into that first stitch. When you get to the point that you are working from patterns, your patterns will give you guidance about whether to count the turning chain or not. If your pattern doesn’t mention whether to count or not count, go ahead and count the turning chain as your first stitch, and don’t bother working a double crochet in the first stitch.
Count your stitches, either as you go or at the end of each row. You want to make sure that you always have the right number. If you’re trying to make a plain square or rectangle of fabric, the goal is to maintain an even number of stitches, without losing any or adding any. While there will be times in the future when you want to add or subtract stitches, that’s something you only want to do when you have a good reason for it, for example if you want to create some shaping for a neckline or a sleeve. Right now, you’re not doing that, so try to maintain a consistent number of stitches in each row.
To work a standard double crochet stitch, you would wrap the yarn around your hook and then insert the hook into both loops of the double crochet stitch in the row below, then finish making the stitch as usual. Work one double crochet stitch into each double crochet stitch across the row.
At the end of the row, chain 3 and turn the work.
You can keep crocheting as many rows as you like until the piece is the length you want it to be.
End off.
Weave in your ends.
Block the work if desired.

How to Do Double Crochet Stitch in a Circle

Double crochet stitch works up into some pretty nifty circle shapes. If you want to learn how to crochet an easy, beginner-friendly circle shape, click here to see our free circle pattern and tutorial.

So there you have it! That’s how to do double crochet stitch. It’s one of the most important basic crochet stitches you’ll need to know.

Free Patterns for Practicing Your Double Crochet Stitch:

Want to try using the double crochet stitch to make a project? If so, you might enjoy these free beginner-level crochet patterns.

Basic granny square — If you’re a total beginner to crochet, this is the pattern I recommend starting with.
Crochet Snowflake Trivet for Beginners
Easy jeweled neck warmer
Easy Double Crochet Arches Edging Pattern
Beginner’s crochet headband pattern

Over to You:

How’d you do with learning the double crochet stitch? Did you find this tutorial helpful? Do you still have any questions about working the double crochet stitch? Let’s discuss your progress with this stitch in the comments section below.