How to Double Crochet (US) Step by Step Photo Tutorial

This beginner friendly crochet tutorial will show you how to double crochet stitch step by step with a photo of each step along the way! The double crochet stitch is a very easy, beginner friendly crochet stitch pattern that is so versatile and can can be used for so many crochet projects!

This post contains affiliate links for Amazon. If you make a purchase by clicking on them, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Find the photo tutorial instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Etsy by clicking here.

In a hurry? Pin this for later when you have more time.

I remember learning to crochet. Many of the patterns I tried used single crochet – I guess because it is a few less steps? I also remember the frustration of crocheting slowly because I was new at it, and it taking forever to get anywhere (because single crochet is a short stitch). So, I think the double crochet is a nice place to start for beginner crocheters, and extremely versatile! Plus, if you can do a double crochet, you can easily do a single and half double crochet.

For this tutorial, I am using Lily Sugar n Cream in Hot Green, and an H8/5mm hook.

I am not creating anything new here, but I did take the time to take the photos, edit them, and put this tutorial together, so please respect my work. Do not pin or share any of the tutorial images – just the main photo. Provide the link for others to find my page (help out me and my blog with the traffic). Do not copy and paste my work anywhere. Thank you!

What is a Double Crochet?

A double crochet (abbreviated as DC) is a simple crochet stitch that involves an initial yarn over, and a three step process of “pulling through”. It’s about equal in height to two single crochet stitches, which makes projects work up quicker, but it produces a fabric that is more breathable and flexible.

I also want to add that this double crochet stitch tutorial is in US terms. What does that mean? There is also a double crochet in UK terms, which is a different stitch! Usually, the patterns specify which one it is – my blog is in all US terms.

How Many Stitches to Chain for Double Crochet?

One of the wonderful things about working in double crochets is that there is no stitch multiple, meaning there is no set number of stitches needed to complete a set of repeats so you can crochet as many double crochets as you would like for your project.

When starting a chain for double crochet, you will finish with a total number of stitches that is 2 less than the number of chains you start with, and that is because we start working into the 4th chain from the hook so we’re taking some of those chains away there, and then those skipped stitches count as a stitch.

Examples:

• If you start with a chain of 10, then you will subtract 2 from that and finish with 8 double crochet stitches.
• If you wanted to have 15 double crochets, then you would add 2 to that and start with a chain of 17.

Do You Chain 2 or 3 for Double Crochet?

When we start talking about Row 2 in a few minutes, you’re going to see that I will start my row with a chain 2. In double crochet patterns, the traditional way to start is to start with a chain 3, but many times for me, a chain 3 will be too tall to match the rest of my double crochet stitches, and creates gaps between the turning chain and my fabric so I do opt for a chain 2 most of the time. Occasionally, I will work a stitch pattern where I will notice that the ends of my fabric where I worked my turning chain are a bit tight and not letting the fabric drape nicely as it looks a bit pinched and gathered, then I will either try to work a chain 2 with a looser tension, or I will try to work a chain 3 with a tighter tension.

I encourage you to try both ways, and see what works the best for your tension. If ever you see a chain 2 written in pattern instructions, but you know that a chain 3 works the best for you, then simply change that out as you go along, and vice versa.

What is the Right Side and Wrong Side of Double Crochet?

The right side is the front side of the fabric, which may look prettier than the wrong side, and the wrong side is the back of the fabric. I think they’re both pretty, but after you turn your work to begin on Row 3, you will see the difference in appearance from Row 1 and Row 2. Row 1 is considered the right side, and Row 2 is considered the wrong side. In the photo above, we have just finished working across Row 2, and about to turn and work Row 3. Do you notice the difference between the look of Row 1 and Row 2?

Does it Matter if I’m on the Right Side of Double Crochet?

In this double crochet stitch tutorial, we’re working in turned rows, meaning that at the end of the row, you will crochet a turning chain and then turn your work to work in the opposite direction back into the stitches created in the previous row. While there is a difference between the right side and the wrong side of the double crochet fabric, as you build your double crochet rows, the front and back will look about the same so feel free to finish on either side and have either side facing up in the finished double crochet project.

What Can I Make with Double Crochet?

Double Crochets are one of the fundamental stitches in crochet, and can be used to create beautiful projects by itself, like scarves, shawls and blankets, or in combination with other stitches and techniques, like when working the granny stitch, mosaic crochet, ripples and corner to corner boxes (just to name a few).

Beginner friendly double crochet patterns are going to be worked in rows (how this tutorial is shown). Once you’re comfortable with your tension and working double crochet stitches, then you can venture into working double crochet patterns worked in the round, like beanie hats, tote bags and sweaters.

As I’m putting this tutorial together, I’m realizing I don’t have that many designs that use just double crochet by itself, but I will share some of my free crochet patterns that use double crochet stitches and are worked in rows from my Dylan Claire series, and if you would like to see a specific pattern, please drop me a line to let me know.

Dylan Claire Scarf (Toddler through Adult) | Striped Dylan Claire Scarf (Adult size)

Ready to try double crochet stitches in the round? Here are a few free crochet patterns from my Dylan Claire series:

• Double Crochet Preemie Beanie (Shown)
• Double Crochet Beanie for Newborn through Adult in Worsted Weight Yarn | in Super Bulky Weight Yarn
• Striped Double Crochet Beanie for Newborn through Adult in Worsted Weight Yarn | in Super Bulky Weight Yarn
• Football Dylan Claire Beanie for Newborn through Adult

Ad-Free, Printer Friendly PDF:

EyeLoveKnots newsletter subscribers get access to Exclusive Subscriber Content, like the free PDF of this pattern via the Free File Library – you’ll find the tab on the top menu. The library is password protected so sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive a Welcome email containing this month’s password, or if you are already a blog subscriber, reference your latest newsletter for this month’s password. From the library, you’ll be able to access the PDFs via Google Drive – you do not need to have a Google Drive account to view and download the PDF.

If you wish not to subscribe, but would still like to get a PDF version of this post, you may get one through my Etsy Shop for a small fee. This fee is to compensate for the views lost when you no longer need to return to the blog to for the information, as you will have your own copy. In a hurry? Pin this for later when you have more time.

How To Double Crochet Row 1 into a Chain

If you haven’t yet, make a slip knot (photo tutorial), then work a foundation chain (photo tutorial) of 11.

If this was an actual pattern, you would see it written like this: “Chain 11” OR “Ch 11”

It most likely will not tell you to make the slip knot, but you always start with one.

Next, I will show you how to double crochet from a chain working all the way across the chain. Together, this will read in one of these ways:

• Chain 11, DC into the 4th chain from the hook, and each chain across.
• Ch 11, DC into the 4th ch from the hk, and ea ch across.
• Ch 11, DC into the 4th ch, and across.

Yarn over (shown from the chain tutorial – yours will have many chains under your thumb)…

…Skip the first three chains on your hook, insert your hook into the fourth chain, yarn over again…

*In case you needed a refresher on How to Work into the Foundation Chain (Photo Tutorial).

…and pull your hook towards you through the foundation chain…

…You now have three loops on your hook…

…Yarn over, and pull through the first two loops on your hook…

…Now you have 2 loops left on your hook…

…Yarn over…

…And pull through the remaining two loops…

You have completed one double crochet!

For the next double crochet, yarn over…

…Insert hook into the next chain. Yarn over, pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (2 loops left on hook), yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Continue working in this manner all the way to the end, and it will look like this. In total, we have 9 double crochets – that’s 8 that you worked + the skipped chains from the very beginning.

Now that Row 1 is complete, we are ready to move onto Row 2.

You can continue repeating rows after that with each one being worked just like Row 2.

How to Double Crochet Second Row & Remaining Rows:

To begin each new row of double crochet, we will yarn over…

…and complete two chains – this is what is called a turning chain, and with double crochet, it is equal to the first double crochet of the row.

Then begin turning the work towards you…

…and completely around so it’s mirrored.

For rows 2 and above, it’s written as one of these (all mean the same):

• Chain 2, turn. DC into the 2nd stitch, and each stitch across.
• Ch 2, turn. DC in 2nd st, and ea st across.
• Ch 2, turn. DC across.

Now, we’re going to work across the row.

Yarn over, insert hook into the second stitch…

…under both loops of the stitch (shown).

Yarn over swinging the working yarn around to the left (as opposed to the right as we have been doing), then pull through.

You now have 3 loops on your hook.

Yarn over, and pull through two loops on hook…

…Yarn over, and pull through remaining two loops. Double crochet complete!

Continue working double crochets in the same manner across the row.

When you get to the end, we can’t forget this last one.

What we’re actually working into here is the skipped chains from the very beginning. In rows 3 and above, you’ll be working into what we called the “turning chain”, but it looks a lot like this.

Yarn over as normal, insert into the stitch under both of the top loops (as shown), then complete the last double crochet the same as the rest.

Now you have two finished double crochet rows!

In this sample, we have 9 double crochets (the same as what we counted at the end of Row 1). In future rows, it’s good practice to periodically check your stitch count to make sure you haven’t missed one.

Join one of our awesome Facebook groups to share your creations, and see what others are up to!
– Yarn Crafts & Coffee Community
– DIY Home On Rockwood Lane
– Alexandra Lane Lifestyle

Linked Up To…
Handmade Monday #178 – Sum of their Stories
The Really Crafty Link Party #220 – Keeping it Real
Craftastic Monday Link Party – Sew Can Do
Craft Schooling Sunday – Creative Jewish Mom
Ginx Woolly Linx Party June – Ginx Craft
All About Home #42 – Common Ground
Linky Ladies Party #186 – The Purple Poncho
{Wow Me} Wednesday #457 – Ginger Snap Crafts
Your Whims Wednesday #462 – My Girlish Whims
Tuesday Turn About #51 – My Wee Abode
The Wednesday Link Party 350 – The Stitchin Mommy
Hookin’ on Hump Day #216 – Moogly Blog
Thursday Favorite Things #442 – An Artful Mom
Creatively Crafty Link Party #226 – Life Beyond the Kitchen
Pin Party #371 – The Pin Junkie
June 2020 Best of the Month – Calypso in the Country
Home Matters Linky Party #285 – Modern on Monticello
Create, Bake, Grow & Gather Party #422 – Shabby Art Boutique
Snickerdoodle Create, Bake, Make Link Party 338 – EyeLoveKnots
Link Your Stuff – Annemarie’s Haakblog