Variations of a Stitch Series, Part 2: Double Crochet

This post is part of a series. Part One can be found here. Part Three can be found here.

It still blows my mind that the nearly infinite world of what can be made with crochet is all based on only 5(ish) main stitches (US terms): chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet (Triple or treble crochet is also fairly common).

Every crocheted piece from the simplest dishcloth to the most elaborate lace is made of variations and combinations of these few stitches. Crazy!

It can seem a little overwhelming to think of all the possibilities, but I think it helps to break it down by stitch.

In this series I’m going to focus on some of the variations of the three most used stitches in standard crochet. Below, you will find Part Two of the series, the variations of Double Crochet. Part One focuses on single crochet and can be found here. Part Three covers Half Double Crochet here.

How to Make a Standard Double Crochet (dc)

A double crochet is the tallest of the three main stitches and creates an open, stretchy fabric. Because it is fairly simple to make and is so tall, you can cover a lot of ground quickly with this stitch! To create a standard double crochet:

Wrap the yarn over your hook (yarn over or YO) and insert hook under both loops of the next stitch.

YO and pull through the stitch (3 loops on hook).

YO and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook ).

YO and pull through last 2 loops. Double crochet complete.

A few notes on standard double crochet:

• Always insert hook under both loops unless otherwise stated in your pattern.
• DC typically uses 3 chains as a turning chain, but some patterns will only call for 2.
• The turning chains for DC DO count as a stitch unless otherwise noted in your pattern. This means you will make your turning chain and skip the very first stitch. Make your first DC in the second stitch.

Variations of Double Crochet

Front Post/Back Post Double Crochet (FPdc/BPdc)

One of the coolest variations you can do with double crochet is the front post/back post DC. This is the technique that allows you to make crochet cableing, fun textured stitches like the waffle stitch and basket weave stitch, and amazing stretchy ribbing. This example will show you how to do FPdc/BPdc ribbing.

Start by making any length chain. DC in the 4th chain from hook and in each chain across. Chain 3 and turn.

You will be working around the post of the stitch (vertical “column” of the stitch) and alternating inserting your hook from front to back (FPdc) and back to front (BPdc). Once the hook is inserted in the specified direction, YO and work a double crochet as usual. A FPdc should have the hook inserted like this and should pop forward from the work:

A BPdc should have the hook inserted like this and should pull back from the work:

When you get to the end of the row, work a standard DC into the top of the turning chain (or in the ch3 space if you’re lazy like me :-p). Continue alternating FPdc/Bpdc, making sure to keep the same stitches forward and the same pulling back.

You’ll end up with super stretchy, chunky ribbing that is perfect for boarders on blankets, hat brims, sweater cuffs…whatever you can think of!

I used the FPdc technique on my Alpine Hygge Beanie. Check it out here!

Double Crochet V – Stitch

A DC V-stitch is a very basic example of a “shell” stitch pattern. A “shell” just refers to a pattern in which multiple stitches are worked into the same stitch from the row below. Double crochet is often used to make shells since its height makes the shell pattern stand out. A V-stitch is just two DCs worked into the same stitch.

Start by making a chain of any EVEN number. Row 1: In the 4th chain from the hook, make 2 DC. Skip the next chain, *2 DC in the next ch, sk next chain. Repeat from * across the row, finishing with 1 DC in the last chain. Ch 3 and turn (this counts as your first DC)

Row 2: Work 2 DC in between each pair of DC from the row below (insert your hook into the space between the two DCs). Repeat this to the end of the row, ending with 1 DC in the top of the ch 3 (turning chain).

Bobbles

This stitch technically uses more that just DC, but it’s such a neat (and fairly easy) stitch, it’s worth making an exception! Bobbles are worked similarly to shells in that you are making a group of DCs in one stitch from the previous row. BUT, with bobbles, each DC in the group is only half completed, with the unworked loops remaining on the hook until the final Yo and pull through completes all the stitches at once. In this example, this will be written as dc5tog.

Dc5tog = YO and insert hook into stitch. YO and pull through the stitch (3 loops on hook). YO and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook). YO and insert hook back into the same stitch, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). YO and repeat this process (4 loops on hook), YO and repeat this process (5 loops on hook), One more time, repeat this process (6 loops on hook). Now YO and pull through all 6 loops to complete the stitch. Tip: resist the urge to add a ch 1 after closing the cluster!

Start with an EVEN number of chains. Row 1: Single crochet (SC) in the second chain from the hook and in each ch across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 and dc4tog (only 4 here because the ch 3 counts as the first stitch) in the very first SC from the previous row. *SC in the next stitch. Dc5tog in next stitch. Repeat from * to the end of the row. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: SC in each stitch across, making sure your first Sc is in the top of the bobble from the row below.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 and ta da! You have a cute cluster of clusters that would look great as a blanket, a rug, or even a funky sweater!

These are just a few ideas of what you can do when you experiment a bit with good old double crochet. I hope you learned something new!

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What did I miss? Let me know in the comments!