Tutorial Series: How to Double Crochet

Another fundamental crochet stitch is the double crochet. It is taller than a single crochet and a half double crochet, but shorter than a treble or triple crochet. Fabric made with the double crochet stitch is less dense than fabric made with a half double crochet or single crochet. Below, you can find video and written instructions demonstrating how to make a double crochet for all the rows after the foundation chain when crocheting with your right hand.

How to Double Crochet (video in slow motion):


Written Instructions on How to Double Crochet in the rows after the Foundation Chain:

  1. After a double crochet in the last chain stitch of the foundation chain row has been worked, chain three and turn the work for the second and all subsequent rows.
  2. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), skip the first three stitches from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn under and through both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  4. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the first two loops on the hook. There are two loops left on the crochet hook
  6. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  7. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise) and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  8. Repeat steps 3 to 6
  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 till the last stitch in the row
  10. For the last stitch of the row, repeat steps 3 and 6, chain three and turn
  11. Repeat Steps 2 to 9 to double crochet all the subsequent rows

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Tutorial Series: How to Half Double Crochet

Another basic stitch after a single crochet (How to Single Crochet) is the half double crochet. The half double crochet stitch is taller than a single crochet stitch but shorter than a double crochet stitch. The fabric made with the half double crochet stitch is also less dense than the fabric made with a single crochet stitch. The video and written instructions below demonstrate how to make a half double crochet from a foundation chain and for the following rows when crocheting with your right hand.

Half Double Crochet from a Foundation Chain:


Written Instructions on How to Half Double Crochet from a Foundation Chain:

  1. With a loop on the crochet hook, wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise)
  2. Skip the first two chains stitch from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook into the top strand of the third chain stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the top strand of the third chain stitch
  4. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through all three loops on the crochet hook
  6. There is one loop on the crochet hook
  7. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), insert crochet hook into the top strand of the next foundation chain stitch
  8. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through the top strand of the next foundation chain stitch
  9. Repeat steps 4 to 6
  10. Repeat steps 7 to 9 for the rest of the foundation chain stitches including the last slip knot end stitch
  11. Chain 2 and turn to half double crochet the next row

How to Half Double Crochet:

Written Instructions on How to Half Double Crochet:

  1. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), skip the first two stitches from the loop on the crochet hook and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch
  2. Wrap working yarn around hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn under and through both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  3. There are three loops on the crochet hook
  4. Wrap the working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise), catch and pull yarn through all the three loops on the crochet hook. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap working yarn around the hook (counterclockwise) and insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch in the row
  6. Repeat steps 2 to 4
  7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 till the last stitch in the row
  8. For the last stitch of the row, repeat steps 5 and 6, chain two and turn
  9. Repeat Steps 5 to 8 to half double crochet all the following rows

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Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet

Once a foundation chain (How to Crochet Chain) is made, a new crochet project with any crochet stitch pattern can begin. A single crochet stitch pattern is the shortest in length/height and creates a denser fabric compared to double and triple crochet stitch patterns. The video and written instructions below show how to make a single crochet from a foundation chain and all the rows for right handed crocheting.

Video in slow motion: Single Crochet from a Foundation Chain

Written Instructions for How to Single Crochet from a Foundation Chain:

  1. Skip the first chain stitch from the loop on the crochet hook.
  2. Insert the crochet hook into the top strand of the second chain stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull the loop through the top strand of the second chain stitch
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull loop through the two loops on the crochet hook
  6. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 for the rest of the foundation chain stitches till the slip knot end
  7. Chain one and turn to single crochet the next row

How to Single Crochet:

Written Instructions for a Single Crochet:

  1. Skip the first stitch from the loop on the crochet hook
  2. Insert the crochet hook under both the strands of the next stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull the loop through both the strands of the next stitch
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull loop through the two loops on the crochet hook
  6. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 till the last stitch in the row
  7. For the last stitch of the row, repeat Steps 2 to 5, chain one and turn
  8. Repeat Steps 1 to 7 with single crochet stitch pattern for all the subsequent rows

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Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Chain

The slip knot (How to Slip Knot) in crochet is the fist loop of a foundation chain. After the slip knot loop, the first foundation chain stitch can be made. A foundation chain is the basis for the beginning a crochet project. The video and written instructions below show how to make a crochet foundation chain for right handed crocheting.

How to Crochet Chain: Slip knot and Chain 10


Written Instructions for How to Crochet Chain:

  1. Make a slip knot (How to Slip Knot) and insert the crochet hook into the loop
  2. Take the crochet hook under and around the working yarn counter clockwise (see image below)

    May2024_image1

  3. Wrap the working yarn around the hook

    May2024_image2

  4. Catch and pull the wrapped working yarn through the loop on the crochet hook (chain 1)

    May2024_image3
    May2024_image4

  5. Repeat Steps 2 to 4 of pulling the working yarn through the loop on the crochet hook maintaining even tension till the required number for the foundation chain of a crochet project has been reached

    May2024_image5

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Tutorial Series: How To Slip Knot

Cast on for knitting or a foundation chain for crochet all start with a slip knot. The first stitch in knitting is the slip knot. The slip knot in crochet is the loop for the first foundation chain. Therefore, how to make a slip knot is the first step in learning how to knit or crochet. There are many ways to make a slip knot. How to slip knot differs for knitters and crocheters. The video below shows how I make a slip knot to start a crochet foundation chain.

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How to Slip Knot (slow motion):

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Written Instructions for How to Slip Knot:

  • Wrap the yarn around index and middle finger of the left hand going from top to bottom (clockwise)
  • Bring the yarn across and between the two fingers
  • With the right hand, bring the strand of yarn in and through the ring formed by the wrapped yarn
  • Pull and tighten the ring holding the strand of yarn to form the slip knot
  • Insert a crochet hook into the slip knot and tighten it around the hook

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Tutorial Series: The Knotted K2tog Bind Off

A decorative bind – off method that I used in The Cozy Season Shrug is the Knotted K2tog bind – off. It gives a nicer looking finished edge for shawls, shrugs etc. that can be added to a garter stitch pattern border.

The written instructions and video below on how to do the knotted K2tog bind – off is shown for right handed knitting.

Abbreviations:

  • K: Knit
  • K2tog: Knit the two stitches on the left knitting needle together
  • wyif: with the working yarn in front

The Knotted K2tog Bind Off:

Knotted K2tog Bind Off: (written intructions)

  1. To begin the bind off row/round: K2, wyif slip the 2 knitted stitches on the right knitting needle back onto the left knitting needle
  2. Wrap the working yarn in front of the 2 stitches on the left knitting needle
  3. Insert the right knitting needle into the wrapped stitches on the left knitting needle and knit those 2 stitches together.
  4. Knit the next stitch on the left knitting needle. There are two stitches on the right knitting needle
  5. Pass the second stitch on the right knitting needle over the first stitch on that needle
  6. K1, wyif slip the 2 knitted stitches on the right knitting needle back onto the left knitting needle
  7. Repeat steps 2 to 5
  8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 till one stitch left in the bind off row/round
  9. Cut and pull working yarn through the last remaining stitch and weave in the end

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Tutorial Series: Yarn Over (YO) with Knit Stitches

Yarn over (YO) is another method to increase stitches in rows or rounds. Yarn overs create holes or eyelets in knitted items and are most commonly used in lace stitch patterns. A stitch increase with a yarn over is most often followed by a stitch decrease in the same or the next row or round for most lace stitch patterns in knitting. The written instructions and videos below show how to increase a stitch with a yarn over (YO) on a knit row for right-handed knitting.

Abbreviations:

  • K: Knit
  • YO: yarn over

Yarn Over (YO) in slow motion:

Yarn Over (YO) written instructions:

  • Wrap the working yarn from back to front on the right knitting needle
  • Bring the working yarn to the back of the right hand knitting needle
  • Insert right knitting needle into the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Knit the first stitch on the left knitting needle to complete the yarn over

Yarn Over with Knit Stitches:
   The video below shows K1, YO, K2, YO, K2, YO, K2, YO, K2


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Tutorial Series: The Cable Cast-on Method

One of the decorative cast-on methods I like to use is the Cable Cast-on method. I’ve used this cast-on method on several of my knits including The Cozy Season Shrug and The Cozy Mood Winter Hat. It gives a nice finished edge for any top down or bottom up knitted items. An advantage to this method is that you don’t need a long yarn tail to begin casting on the stitches. The cable cast-on begins with a slip knot and each additional stitch is added using an alternative to the knitted cast-on method. The written instructions and video below on how to do the cable cast-on is shown for right handed knitting.

The Cable Cast-on Method

The Cable Cast-on Steps:

  1. Make a slip knot
  2. Transfer the slip knot onto the left knitting needle
  3. Insert the right knitting needle into the slip knot and bring working yarn around and in between the two needles as if to knit
  4. Catch and pull the working yarn loop onto the right knitting needle
  5. Transfer the new stitch loop from the right knitting needle onto the left knitting needle
  6. Insert the right knitting needle into the space in between the bottom of first 2 stitches on the left knitting needle
  7. Catch and pull the working yarn loop with the right knitting needle
  8. Transfer the new stitch loop from the right knitting needle onto the left knitting needle
  9. Repeat steps 6 – 8 till the desired number of stitch count is reached for a knitting project

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Tutorial Series: Pfb (Purl front and back)

Purl front and back (Pfb) is the method to increase stitches on the purl side in a row or round. One stitch in a row or round is added when the first stitch on the left knitting needle is purled in the front loop as well as in the back loop before sliding that stitch off the left needle. The written instructions and video below show how to increase stitches by doing a Pfb for right handed knitting.

Abbreviations:

  • P: purl
  • Pfb: purl front and back

Pfb (Purl front and back) in slow motion:

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Pfb (Purl front and back) written instructions:

  • With working yarn in front, insert the right knitting needle from front to back into the front loop of the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Bring the working yarn around and between the left and right knitting needles
  • With the right needle, catch and pull the loop made by the working yarn under the front loop of the stitch on the left needle
  • Turn the right needle towards the back loop of the same stitch on the left needle
  • Insert the right needle from back to front into the back loop of the same first stitch on the left needle
  • Bring the working yarn around and between the two needles
  • Catch and pull the new loop made by the working yarn with the right needle
  • Slide the first stitch off the left needle and secure the two new stitches on the right needle

P1, Pfb, P1, Pfb:


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Tutorial Series: (Kfb) Knit front and back

One way to increase stitches in knitting is the Kfb (knit front and back) method. Increasing stitches in knitting is used to give shape to knitted items, for texture and for lace work. An extra stitch is added in a row or round when a stitch on the left knitting needle is knit both in the front loop as well as in the back loop. This tutorial includes written instructions and two videos (one in slow motion) on how to increase stitches by doing a Kfb for right handed knitting.

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Kfb in Slow Motion:

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Written Instructions for Kfb (Knit front and back):

  • Insert the right knitting needle into the front loop of the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Bring the working yarn around and between the left and right knitting needles
  • Catch and pull the loop made by the working yarn with the right needle
  • Turn the right needle towards the back loop of the same stitch on the left needle
  • Insert the right needle into the back loop of that stitch
  • Bring the working yarn around and between the two needles
  • Catch and pull the new loop made by the working yarn with the right needle
  • Slide the first stitch off the left needle and secure the two new stitches on the right needle

The video below shows Knit 1, KFB, Knit 1, Kfb:

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