Double Crochet Stitch: 7 Easy Steps for Beginners
Browse video tutorials and stitch guides shared by the community on Ravelry.
What You Will Learn
- the quick answer
- why beginners struggle
- step-by-step fixes or methods
- common mistakes
- helpful next steps
If you already learned single crochet and half double crochet, the double crochet stitch is your next big milestone. Double crochet is taller and faster, which makes it well suited to blankets, scarves, and beginner-friendly projects that work up quickly.
Below is a step-by-step DC tutorial with beginner checkpoints (so you don’t accidentally add stitches, twist your turning chain, or end up with wobbly edges).
If you searched for how to double crochet, follow the 7 steps below slowly once, then repeat them on a small practice swatch until the rhythm feels automatic.
Step-by-Step: How to Double Crochet
Practice these 7 steps on a chain of about 15 stitches until the rhythm feels automatic, then move on to a real project.
- Yarn over first. Before you even touch the stitch, wrap the yarn over your hook once. This single extra wrap is what makes double crochet taller than single crochet.
- Insert your hook. Push the hook into the next stitch (or the 4th chain from the hook if this is your foundation row), going under both top loops.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull it through the stitch only. You should now have 3 loops sitting on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Wrap the yarn over once more and draw it through just the first 2 loops on your hook. That leaves 2 loops remaining.
- Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. One more yarn over, pulled through the remaining 2 loops. You’re left with a single loop on your hook, the stitch is complete.
- Move to the next stitch and repeat. Steps 1-5 are the full double crochet stitch; repeat them across the row.
- Turn your work. At the end of the row, chain 2 (this is your standard DC turning chain), turn your work, and begin the next row in the first real stitch.
Counting “yarn over, pull through 2, pull through 2” out loud as you go is the fastest way to build the rhythm without losing your stitch count.
Quick answer
Double crochet stitch (DC) is a beginner crochet stitch used for faster blankets, scarves, and beginner-friendly projects that work up quickly. Rhythm: YO → insert → YO pull up (3 loops) → YO pull through 2 → YO pull through 2. The most common beginner mistake is forgetting the first yarn over or missing the last stitch, say the rhythm out loud and mark the last stitch each row.
Tip: if your edges look messy, mark the last stitch of each row with a stitch marker until your stitch count stays consistent.
At a glance
- Skill level: Beginner
- Abbreviations: ch, DC, YO
- Turning chain: Usually ch 2-3; may or may not count as a stitch depending on the pattern.
- Best practice yarn: medium weight (#4), light color
Common mistakes → quick fixes
- Tight stitches: loosen grip; size up 0.5 mm if needed.
- Crooked edges: count stitches; mark the last stitch.
- Wrong height: repeat the rhythm slowly and pull through the right number of loops.
Mini glossary
ch (chain), DC (Double crochet stitch), YO (yarn over), turning chain, stitch marker, tension, loops, stitch count.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “yarn over” mean in double crochet?
It means wrapping the working yarn over the hook from back to front before your next motion. Double crochet starts with a yarn over before you even insert the hook, which is what makes it taller than single crochet.
How many chains do I need to turn after a double crochet row?
Chain 2 at the end of a double crochet row before turning. Whether that turning chain counts as your first stitch of the new row depends on the specific pattern, so check its notes.
Why does my double crochet look uneven?
Uneven double crochet is almost always inconsistent tension or a miscounted turning chain. Keep your loops relaxed and the same size every time, and mark your first and last stitch of each row while you build consistency.
What can I make with just the double crochet stitch?
Scarves, blankets, dishcloths, and simple garments all work beautifully with double crochet alone, it is fast to work up and creates a soft, slightly open fabric.
Related Tutorials
For the foundational stitch before this one, see our single crochet tutorial, or read a full double crochet step-by-step guide with photos.
