dc

A double crochet is a crochet stitch formed by yarning over the hook before inserting it into the fabric, then completing the stitch by drawing the yarn through in stages. It is taller than a single crochet but shorter than a treble crochet, making it the workhorse stitch in most crochet patterns. The completed stitch stands roughly half an inch high in standard weight yarn, depending on gauge and tension.

The mechanics require two distinct yarn-over and draw-through actions. After inserting the hook into a stitch from the previous row, you pull yarn through (leaving three loops on the hook), then yarn over and pull through two loops, then yarn over again and pull through the final two loops. This two-stage completion distinguishes it from the single crochet, which pulls through all loops at once, and from the treble, which uses three yarn-overs and requires more draw-through stages.

Where it sits in crochet hierarchy

Single crochet produces a dense, tight fabric with minimal drape; double crochet offers medium density and reasonable flexibility; treble and taller stitches create open, fluid drape. Most garment patterns use dc as the foundation stitch because it balances structure with wearability. Blankets, amigurumi, and decorative items frequently rely on dc worked in rows or in the round.

The abbreviation appears in patterns as dc (or dC in some older British sources). Crochet patterns often specify the yarn weight and hook size required to achieve a particular gauge in double crochet, typically measured as stitches and rows per 10 centimeters. Tension variations in dc work are more forgiving than in single crochet but still affect final dimensions noticeably.

Experienced makers use dc as a baseline for speed estimates: a row of dc stitches works faster than single crochet but slower than treble, making it efficient for projects requiring both progress and precision. When a pattern calls for dc without further specification, it always means working in the typical manner rather than through the back loop or other variant unless explicitly noted.