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Double Crochet Workshop
Learning double crochet stitch is a step up from
single crochet,
in more ways than one. Once you master this stitch you'll have many more
patterns and stitch combinations open to you.
It is a longer stitch than single crochet, therefore your work will
grow faster. That's good, right?
Typically it is recommended that 3 chains should be used at the start
of each row to raise the level of working up to the height of the
double crochet stitch.
I prefer to use 2 chains - it keeps my edges neater, but you should follow
pattern instructions at first until you get used to how your stitches
look, then decide if you'd rather have 2 or 3 chains as a start.
Let's work with 3 chains as the height for your stitches in the
sample below.
Anyway - let's get on with the instructions. You need to start with
chains
as a foundation row.
Ok, for example, you need a swatch to be 12 stitches wide.
This means you need to...
- Chain 11 stitches, plus 3 more chains
to count as the first stitch of your next row (14 chains total).
- Yarn over (wrap yarn over top of hook from back to
front), push hook into 4th chain from hook (never count loop on hook
as a stitch), yarn over, bring hook back through to front (3 loops
on hook), yarn over and pull this through 2 loops (2 loops left on
hook), yarn over again and pull this through 2 loops (1 loop
left on hook) - STITCH COMPLETE!
- Repeat above instructions for each stitch to the end of your
foundation chain, working into every next stitch instead of into 4th
chain from hook, (12 stitches worked - including your 3 chains = 1
double crochet).
Great - that's one row done! Good job!
Tip Time
- The chains at the beginning of the row always bring the level
of the row to the height of the stitch being worked. They are
often called turning chains.
- The turning chains are usually counted as one stitch in
pattern instructions, ie. 3 turning chains = 1 double crochet stitch.
- After each row of double crochets, turn over your work, do your
turning chains, then work into the next stitch not the stitch immediately
below the chains. This would cause you to increase a stitch
and your work would flare out rather than having straight edges.
Now you need to practice some more, so here's some
pictures
to help you out.
Good luck! When you're ready, let's move on to treble crochet.
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