How to Double Crochet - Step by Step Stitch Tutorial

If you have single crochet under your belt and you are ready for the next step, welcome. The double crochet stitch is about to become your new best friend.

Double crochet (abbreviated "dc" in patterns) is one of the most versatile stitches in crochet. It is taller than single crochet, works up faster, and creates a fabric with beautiful drape. Think scarves that flow instead of standing stiff, blankets that feel cozy instead of heavy. That is the magic of double crochet.

I remember learning this stitch and feeling like my projects suddenly grew so much faster. Once it clicks, you will wonder how you ever had the patience for single crochet rows alone.

Single Crochet vs. Double Crochet: What Is the Difference?

Before we dive in, it helps to understand how double crochet compares to single crochet.

Height. A dc stitch is roughly twice as tall as a sc stitch. Your rows grow faster and you cover more ground with each pass.

Drape. The taller stitch creates more space in the fabric, giving it a softer, more open texture that drapes nicely instead of being dense and stiff.

Speed. Taller stitches mean fewer rows to reach the same length. If you have ever felt like a blanket project was taking forever, double crochet is the answer.

Turning chain. Single crochet uses a chain-1 to turn. Double crochet uses a chain-3, which counts as your first stitch. More on this below.

How to Double Crochet: Step by Step

Grab your hook and yarn and let's walk through this together.

To start, you need a foundation chain. Chain any number for practice, plus 3 extra chains. Those 3 extra chains act as your first double crochet stitch.

Step 1: Yarn Over

Before you insert your hook into any stitch, wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front. This is the step that makes double crochet different from single crochet, and the one most beginners forget at first. It becomes second nature fast.

Step 2: Insert Your Hook

Insert your hook into the stitch. If you are working into your foundation chain, that will be the fourth chain from the hook (because the first 3 chains count as your first dc). If you are working into a row, insert into the next stitch.

Step 3: Yarn Over and Pull Through

Wrap the yarn over your hook again and pull it through the stitch only. You should now have 3 loops on your hook. Three loops is exactly right.

Step 4: Yarn Over and Pull Through Two Loops

Yarn over once more and pull through only the first 2 loops on your hook. Now you should have 2 loops remaining on your hook.

Step 5: Yarn Over and Pull Through the Last Two Loops

Yarn over one final time and pull through the remaining 2 loops. You are back to 1 loop on your hook, and you have just completed a double crochet stitch.

That is it. Yarn over, insert, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through two, yarn over, pull through two. Once you get into a rhythm, it flows beautifully.

Working Double Crochet in Rows

Making individual dc stitches is one thing. Working them in neat, even rows is where your projects really come together.

The turning chain. At the end of a row, chain 3 and turn your work. That chain-3 counts as your first double crochet of the new row.

Where to place your stitches. Skip the first stitch at the base of the turning chain (since the chain-3 is replacing it) and work your first dc into the second stitch. Continue across the row, one dc in each stitch.

The last stitch. Work your last dc into the top of the turning chain from the previous row. This is the stitch beginners most often skip, and the number one reason edges look uneven. Count your stitches at the end of each row until you feel confident.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Every crocheter has run into these. You are not doing anything wrong. You are just learning.

Forgetting the initial yarn over. If you insert your hook without yarning over first, you end up making a single crochet instead. If a stitch looks shorter than the others, this is probably why. Just frog it back and try again with the yarn over first.

Miscounting the turning chain. The chain-3 counts as a stitch. If you also work a dc into the base of the chain, you get an extra stitch and your piece widens every row. If you forget to work into the top of the previous turning chain, you lose a stitch and it narrows. Count early and count often.

Uneven tension. Your first several rows might look messy with stitches of different sizes. Completely normal. Give yourself 20 to 30 rows of practice before judging your tension. It evens out.

Twisted yarn overs. Make sure you wrap the yarn over from back to front consistently. Wrapping the wrong way creates a twisted stitch. It is subtle, but once you see it you will know.

What Can You Make with Double Crochet?

Once you are comfortable with dc, a whole world of patterns opens up.

If you want to put your new skills to work right away, try the Meadow Scarf or the Meadow Cowl. Both are beginner-friendly and designed to help you build confidence while making something you will actually want to wear.

And once double crochet feels natural, the Meadow Stitch tutorial is a great next step. It combines dc with chain stitches to create a gorgeous textured pattern that looks way more complicated than it actually is.

Quick Reference: SC vs. DC

You Have Got This

Double crochet might feel like a lot of steps at first, but I promise it becomes muscle memory faster than you think. Practice a small swatch, count your stitches, and be patient with yourself.

You are doing great. Now go grab your hook and give it a try.