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    Home » Uncategorized

    How to Crochet - Alternate Double Crochet

    Nov 11, 2017 by Jennifer Renaud

    When we first learn to work the double crochet stitch in rows, we learn one of the two following methods:

    1. Chain 2 (does not count as a stitch), work the first dc in the first st.
    2. Chain 3 (counts as first dc), work the first dc in the next st.

    While these methods are great when we're first learning, eventually we begin to notice that both of them cause gaps in our work. This is when the alternate double crochet stitch (also referred to as a chainless double crochet stitch) becomes a great new tool to learn!

     

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    Here are a couple of the reasons I love the alternate double crochet stitch:

    • No unsightly gaps at the beginning of your rows!
    • It creates a nice clean edge along your work. This is especially helpful if you need to add a border to your project.
    • I also use this when working in joined rounds. It eliminates the gap you get when you have a ch 2, double crochet in the first stitch.

     

    While there are many tutorials out there for an alternate double crochet, I wanted to share with you my favorite. This is my go-to alternate double crochet stitch and I use it every time I need to begin a row with a double crochet.  I LOVE how something SO simple can make such a huge difference in my work!

    Try out the Alt-dc on a couple of my free crochet patterns: Snowflake Keyhole Scarf & My Favorite Summer Top. 

    Do you need to work an alternate treble crochet stitch? Click HERE for my Alternate Treble Crochet Stitch Tutorial!

     

    How to Crochet the Alternate Double Crochet Stitch - by A Crocheted Simplicity

     

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    Learn How to Crochet an Alternate Double Crochet Stitch!

     

    How to Crochet the Alternate Double Crochet Stitch - by A Crocheted Simplicity

    Photo A: Turn your work to begin a new row, but DO NOT chain.

    Photo B: Work a single crochet stitch (without a turning chain), insert your hook into the first stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops (see next pic).

    Photo C: See the yarn needle? It's between the two legs of the single crochet stitch you just made. This is where you insert your hook in the next part.

     

    How to Crochet the Alternate Double Crochet Stitch - by A Crocheted Simplicity

    Photo D: Insert your hook between the legs of the single crochet stitch.

    Photo E: Yo, pull up a loop.

    Photo F: Yo, pull through one loop.

     

    How to Crochet the Alternate Double Crochet Stitch - by A Crocheted Simplicity

     

     

     

    Photo G: Yo, pull thru remaining loops to complete the stitch.

     

     

     

     

    Voila, you've just worked your first alternate double crochet stitch!

    This technique is an excellent one to add to your crochet toolbox and I hope it quickly becomes your favorite! 😉

    Find all of my FREE crochet patterns HERE

     

    MORE FREE CROCHET TUTORIALS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY

    If you enjoyed this crochet stitch tutorial, you may enjoy these other projects as well. And if you just want to browse, you can find all of our free crochet stitch tutorials HERE.

    Learn to Crochet the Alternate Double Crochet Decrease, also know as a chainless double crochet - tutorial by A Crocheted Simplicity #crochetstitchtutorial #chainlessstitch #crochetstitchdecrease #alternatedoublecrochet
    Alternate Double Crochet Decrease
    Learn to Crochet the Alternate Double Crochet Cluster Stitch - Crochet Tutorial by A Crocheted Simplicity #crochetstitchtutorial #chainlesscrochetstitch #crochetclusterstitch #doublecrochetcluster #freecrochettutorial
    Alternate Double Crochet Cluster
    Crochet Stitch Tutorial - How to Crochet the Alternate Treble Crochet Stitch (Chainless Treble Crochet Stitch) by A Crocheted Simplicity
    Alternate Treble Crochet

     

    Try out the Alt-dc2tog on my free crochet pattern: Aurora Cardigan for Girls. 

     


    Are you intimidated by crocheted cables? Would you love to learn more? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears of crocheted cables! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 2 classes I have available! (affiliate link)

    Modern Classic Cabled Afghan Online Video Class with Instructor Jennifer Pionk of A Crocheted Simplicity


    Please share your finished ACS projects with us in the A Crocheted Simplicity Crochet Community Group on Facebook! Use hashtag #ACrochetedSimplicity when sharing on social media so I can find your posts!

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    © Copyright 2023 Jennifer Renaud aka A Crocheted Simplicity. All Rights Reserved. All designs, posts, videos and images are property of Jennifer Renaud and are my own original work. No parts may be reproduced, altered, or distributed in any form, or by any means, without express written permission from Jennifer Renaud. If you want to share this information with someone, share the link to this post. If you want to share on your own blog / website, then you may use the first photo in this post and link back to this post. You may not give away printed copies of this post. Thank you.

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    1. Doreen Fulton

      November 13, 2017 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you very much for the tutorial on the alternate double crochet. Like you, I noticed gaps but had no idea how to eliminate those gaps, but, now I do!

      Reply
    2. Mary D

      April 29, 2018 at 9:04 am

      So it's basically a waistcoat DC? BRILLIANT! I'm totally doing it this way in all my projects from now on!

      Reply

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