What is the difference between double crochet and half double crochet?

Double crochet is taller and more open than half double crochet. Both start with a yarn over, but double crochet finishes in two steps (pull through 2, then pull through the last 2), while half double crochet closes all 3 loops in one pull. That extra step makes double crochet taller.

Does the turning chain count as a stitch in double crochet?

Usually, yes. In most double crochet patterns the chain-3 turning chain counts as your first double crochet, so you skip the first stitch and work your last stitch into the top of the previous row's chain-3. Always check your specific pattern, since some do it differently.

How many chains do I skip when starting double crochet?

Skip the first 3 chains from your hook and work your first double crochet into the 4th chain. Those 3 skipped chains act as the turning chain that gives the row its height.

Why is there a hole at the edge of my double crochet rows?

That gap usually means the turning chain isn't being counted or worked correctly. Treat the chain-3 as your first stitch, skip the first stitch of the row, and work your final stitch into the top of the previous row's turning chain to close the edge neatly.

Is double crochet easy for beginners?

Yes. Double crochet is beginner-friendly and one of the most useful stitches to know. The only new part is finishing in two steps instead of one, and it works up quickly, which makes progress feel satisfying.

Tutorial · Basic Stitches

How to Double Crochet: Step-by-Step for Beginners

Written by Maren Ellis
Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Double crochet is the tallest of the three basics, taller and more open than single or half double.

📚This is part of our complete guide to crochet stitches.Open guide →

What is double crochet?

Quick answer

Double crochet (abbreviated dc) is a tall, versatile basic crochet stitch. To make one, you yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops, then yarn over and pull through the last 2. That's one double crochet.

US vs UK: This tutorial uses US terms. In UK patterns, this same stitch is called a treble (tr). See the full US vs UK terms on our crochet stitches guide.

If crochet had a workhorse, this would be it. Double crochet is the stitch you'll reach for most — blankets, cardigans, granny squares, shawls, it's everywhere. It's tall, so your work grows satisfyingly fast, and a little open, so the fabric feels light and drapey rather than dense.

Coming from single or half double crochet? The move is the same idea, just taller. The one new habit: instead of finishing in a single pull, you work the loops off your hook in two steps. That two-step finish is the whole trick, and it's easier than it sounds.

What you'll need

Nothing new, just the basics:

What	Recommended for practice	Why
Hook	5.0mm (US H/8)	A comfy mid-size that's easy to control
Yarn	Smooth worsted weight, light color	Pale yarn shows where each tall stitch begins and ends
Scissors	Any small pair	To cut your yarn at the end

Tip: double crochet is tall, so a smooth, pale yarn makes it easy to see exactly where each stitch begins and ends while you practice. Want the full rundown? See our crochet tools & supplies guide.

You'll also want a short foundation chain to work into — chain about 12 to practice. New to chaining? Our crochet stitches guide covers it in seconds.

How to double crochet, step by step

Five small moves, and like half double crochet, you yarn over before you insert your hook. The one thing that makes double crochet double crochet: you don't close it all at once, you clear the loops off your hook in two steps.

→The short version: yarn over → insert hook → yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops) → yarn over, pull through 2 → yarn over, pull through the last 2. One double crochet done.

▶ A short 5–10 second looping video of one full double crochet works great here for “how to” queries. (Optional — drop it in when ready.)

Yarn over

Wrap the yarn over your hook before you go anywhere near the stitch.

Insert your hook

With the yarn wrapped, push your hook into the next stitch, under the top two loops (the "V").

Crochet hook holding a yarn over inserted under the top two loops of a stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop

Yarn over and pull a loop back up through the stitch. You'll have 3 loops on your hook.

Three loops on a crochet hook after pulling up a loop for double crochet.

Yarn over, pull through 2

Yarn over again and pull through just the first 2 loops. Now you're down to 2 loops on the hook. (This is the step that makes double crochet different — don't close all three at once.)

Pulling through the first two loops of double crochet, leaving two loops on the hook. — Pull through only the first two loops. Two loops stay on your hook.

Yarn over, pull through the last 2

Yarn over one more time and pull through the last 2 loops. You're left with a single loop, and that's one double crochet made.

Pulling through the last two loops to complete one double crochet. — Pull through the last two loops. That single loop left means one double crochet is complete.

Repeat those five moves into each stitch across the row. The rhythm — yarn over, insert, pull up, pull through 2, pull through 2 — is double crochet. It clicks fast, and soon you'll be flying across rows.

Starting your first row (working into the chain)

That first row into the chain always feels a bit awkward, and double crochet is no different. Push through it — row two is where it gets comfy.

1Make your foundation chain (about 12 to practice).
2Skip the first 3 chains from your hook.
3Yarn over, then work your first double crochet into the 4th chain.
4Double crochet into each remaining chain to the end.

Why skip 3? Those 3 skipped chains stand up as tall as a double crochet, so they act as your first stitch of the row (the "turning chain"). That's what keeps your edge nice and even.

Crochet hook inserted into the fourth chain of a foundation chain to begin the first row of double crochet.

The turning chain (where double crochet trips people up)

Here's the one that confuses almost every beginner: with double crochet, the chain 3 at the start of a new row usually counts as your first double crochet. So when you turn your work:

Chain 3, turn. That chain-3 = your first dc.
Skip the very first stitch (the chain-3 already covers it) and work your next dc into the second stitch.
At the end of the row, work your last dc into the top of the previous row's chain-3.

The classic mistake: working into that first stitch anyway (giving you an extra stitch and a bumpy edge), or skipping the turning chain at the end (leaving a little hole/gap). Some patterns treat the turning chain differently, so always check — but “ch 3 counts as a dc” is the most common setup.

Quick check: count your stitches at the end of each row. Same number every time means your edges are staying straight.

Common double crochet mistakes (and how to fix them)

Double crochet is quick to learn, but a handful of slip-ups catch nearly everyone. Here's what goes wrong and the easy fix for each.

Pulling through all 3 loops at once

Old half-double-crochet habit sneaking in. Close all three loops together and you've made a half double, not a double. Fix: always go in two steps — pull through 2, then pull through the last 2.

The turning-chain gap (a hole at the start of the row)

If you skip the first stitch but don't count the chain-3 as a stitch, you leave a little hole at the edge. Fix: treat the chain-3 as your first dc, skip the first stitch, and work the last stitch of the row into the top of the previous chain-3.

Losing or gaining stitches

Rows getting wider or narrower usually means you missed that last chain-3, or added a stitch at the start. Fix: count your stitches every row — same number each time keeps your sides straight.

Uneven, gappy stitches

Big loose gaps or wobbly stitches usually come from inconsistent tension while pulling up your loop. Fix: keep your yarn feeding evenly and try to pull each loop to about the same height.

The two-second fix for most of these: count, and check your edges. A quick stitch count plus a glance at your turning chain catches almost every double crochet mistake before it snowballs.

Get past these and your double crochet rows will come out even and tidy, which brings us to a few habits that make them look really polished.

Get the free printable Crochet Stitch Guide

Every basic stitch on one page — keep it by your hook.

Tips for neat, even double crochet

Once the stitch feels natural, these small habits are what make your rows look polished instead of “still learning.” None are hard — they're just easy to forget.

Pull each loop to the same height. Double crochet is tall, so uneven loops show more than in shorter stitches. Aim for a consistent, relaxed pull every time.
Sort out your turning chain and stick with it. Decide whether your chain-3 counts as a stitch, then do it the same way every row so your edges stay even.
Count every row. A quick stitch count catches a missed turning chain or a sneaky extra stitch before it becomes a crooked edge.
Keep tension relaxed, not tight. Tight double crochet is a struggle to work into and loses that soft drape. Loosen up and let the stitch breathe.
Work into the right spot at the ends. Your last stitch of the row goes into the top of the previous row's turning chain — the most-missed stitch in double crochet.

Practice tip: make a small square, about 12 stitches by 12 rows, before starting a real project. It's the fastest way to smooth out your tension and get comfortable with the turning chain — and you'll end up with a practice coaster instead of a scrap.

Two double crochet swatches compared, one with even tension and straight edges, one with uneven tension and wavy, gappy stitches.

Nail these and your double crochet will look clean and even. So, what can you make with it? Quite a lot, as it turns out.

What can you make with double crochet?

Honestly, most things. Double crochet's tall, quick, slightly open fabric makes it the backbone of a huge range of projects, which is exactly why it earns the “workhorse” nickname:

Blankets & afghans — fast to work up and wonderfully cozy.
Granny squares — dc is the granny square stitch. Learn one, make a hundred.
Cardigans & sweaters — that light drape is perfect for wearables.
Scarves & shawls — open and airy, great for lacy designs.
Bags & market totes — the little bit of stretch and give works beautifully.

Best first double crochet project? A granny square. It's small, endlessly repeatable, and built almost entirely from double crochet, so you practice the stitch and end up with a square you can join into a blanket later.

Time to put it to work — browse our free beginner crochet patterns and pick your next make.

Three finished double crochet projects, a granny square, a blanket, and a scarf, arranged on linen.

Up next in this guide

Tutorial

Double Crochet FAQ

"Dc" is the abbreviation for double crochet, a tall, versatile basic stitch. When a US pattern says "dc," it means make one double crochet. (Note: in UK patterns, "dc" means single crochet, so always check which terms a pattern uses.)