How to double crochet for beginners (US terms)

Step by step instructions

Let’s get started

Tension is very important. The yarn must be able to glide smoothly from your left hand to the working project — not too tight and not too loose.

You will need the following:

• Wool / yarn suitable for a 4mm hook
• 4mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Step 1: Start off with a slipknot.

Prepare your yarn tension on your left hand (or right, depending on your orientation).

Step 2: Chain 12.

Step 3: Counting from the last loop on the hook (do not count the loop on the hook), yarn over and insert the hook into the top loop of the fourth chain.

Step 4: Yarn over and pull up a loop.

Check: You should now have 3 loops on your hook.

Step 5: Yarn over and pull the yarn through two loops.

Check: You should now have 2 loops on your hook.

Step 6: Yarn over and pull the yarn through the final two loops.

You have just made your first double crochet.

Step 7: Yarn over and insert your hook into the top loop of the next stitch.

Step 8: Repeat steps 4 to 6 all the way across your foundation chain.

Starting off the next row

Step 9: To start the next row, chain 3. This counts as your first double crochet. Skip the next stitch as it belongs to the turning chain.

Step 10: Yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch.

Step 11: Yarn over and pull up a loop.

Check: You should now have 3 loops on your hook.

Step 12: Yarn over and pull through two loops.

Step 13: Yarn over again and pull through the last 2 loops on your hook.

Repeat steps 10 to 13 all the way across to finish the row.

And there you have it! You should have 9 proper double crochet stitches plus 1 turning chain, giving a total of 10 stitches per row.