Counting Double Crochet Rows is pretty easy because the rows of a DC are quite longer than that of a Single Crochet. However, there are some dimensions of crocheting that are confusing initially (especially as a novice crocheter) if you do not have a proper step guide to crocheting any project.
In this article, we will be discussing the required steps to count double crochet rows and extensive details on how to work double crochet towards the end of the article.
Guide on How To Count Double Crochet Rows In 2023
The Double Crochet term varies in the US and UK. In the US, double crochet is known as (DC) while in the UK, it is known as Treble Crochet (TR). However, today, we’re going to be talking about the US Term.
A Double Crochet, DC is an easy crochet stitch formed by a yarn over – which involves wrapping the yarn from the back to the front of the crochet hook before inserting the hook in the stitch with a three-loop pulling. The foundation chain is held in the desired position, yarn over, and the hook is then inserted into the fourth chain from the hook for the first row.
The need for counting in crotchet is unavoidable irrespective of the method used to keep track. There are 8 tips to guide you on that:
- Make the stitches larger, a larger stitch is easier to count: As the stitches get taller, then each row also becomes taller making them more visible and easier to count.
- Use a worked swatch: Using a swatch worked in double crochet (dc), the rows would be counted in the swatch. From the bottom to the top on the sides of the swatch, count the double crochets along the rows.
A swatch is a piece of fabric worked in the main crochet project pattern used to figure out how much yarn and how many rows or stitches are needed for the pattern.
- Count from the bottom as this makes counting easier through to the top: However, do not include the foundation chain, only the stitches that are worked into it are the ones that count as rows.
- Use the ‘Vs’ or holes: in every stitch, you get to create a V-like hole and for every new row added, the hole keeps appearing. Each horizontal line with the holes should be counted as a row. Also, the horizontal bars can be used to count your rows. The horizontal bars are created on the back side of the stitch in each row. Looking at the workpiece laid, there is on each side of every row 1 horizontal bar. You can then use it to see the rows of your double crotchet and count.
Note: when you hold a straight edge over them, seeing the V-like holes becomes much easy.
- Count using the ridges: when crocheting in rows, there will be a ridge at the end of every row. Each of the ridges counts as two rows with one row worked from each side (left to right). If it is a round workpiece, the ridges are on each row. Then, count the ridges to know the number of rows.
- Use the tail: on the slip knot of your foundation chain, there is a tail left at the end. The first crotchet through the foundation chain makes one completed row with the tail on the right for a left-handed and vice versa for a right-handed. Using this, look for the tail of your workpiece, if it is right-tailed, then it means your row is even-numbered but if it is on the left, it means the tail is odd-numbered.
- Count using a stitch counter: instead of having to count from the beginning of the piece, position the stitch counter at every 5 rows, 10 rows, etc., and count further from there.
- Be consistent with the side: If you’re using a non-traditional stitch set, it is pretty much easier to count your rows using the outer stitches. If you’re sticking to the direction or side at which you turn your workpiece, the end of each row always looks the same. Using the ridges and V holes to find the double crotchet pattern in their place makes row counting easier.
How Do I Work A Double Crochet?
To work double crochet to have perfect and visible rows that are easy to count, here are steps to follow for an excellent project finishing:
Step 1: Creating The Rows
For the first row (Row 1)
- Create a slip knot with the desired chain loop length known as the foundation chain. Using chain 16, the first 13 chain stitches are the foundation chain and the remaining 3 make the turning chain.
- After you’ve gotten the desired length, Yarn over the crochet hook, skip the first three chains on your hook, and insert it into the fourth loop of the foundation chain, then pull through.
- On your hook, you now have 3 loops, yarn over again, and pull the strand deep down through 2 of the loops, then yarn over again and pull through the other 2 loops to give the first row of the Double Crochet (DC) stitch.
Note: When working into chain stitches, the crochet hook should be inserted through the center ‘V’ of the chain under the back bar. Do not twist the chain while you crochet.
For the second row (Row 2)
- Yarn over again and make a 3 stitches chain.
- Then, insert the hook in the next chain skipping the first stitch, yarn over, and, pull through chain 3. Ch-3 makes the turning chain.
- After yarn over and pull through 3 loops on the hook, then yarn over again and pull the strand down through the remaining 2 loops and yarn over again to pull through the last loop on the crochet hook.
To continue the rows (Row 3 till the desired point)
- To begin each new row, yarn over and have two chains completed to give you what is called a turning chain – the chain 3 stitches to achieve the same height as a double crochet. The turning chain counts as the first double crochet on the next row and worked in the next stitch and this means that it is always equal to the first row of the double crochet.
- You can now continue so that the project work turns towards you.
- At the end of the second row, insert and then hook through the center of the ‘V’ under the back bar.
Step 2: Working Across The Rows
The basic rule of working your double crochet rows is in four moves:
Move 1: Yarn over your crochet hook
Move 2: Pull through stitches
Move 3: Yarn over the hook again
Move 4: And finally, pull through both loops on the hook.
To work across the row, yarn over and insert your hook into the second stitch under both loops of the stitch. Then continue to yarn over by swinging the working yarn around to the left in opposition to the right that was initially used and pull through. After pulling through, there are 3 loops on the hook, yarn over again and, pull through 2 of those loops. Then, yarn over again and pull through the last loop on your hook. This makes the double crochet complete. Till you get the desired height, continue working your double crochet across rows of the working yarn.
To reach the end, keep working until all the stitches in each row are formed. If you’re a beginner, it is best advised to always count your stitches as you work across every row – this helps to observe early which stitch is messed out. Also by counting the ‘V’ at the top of each row.
Step 3: Finishing the rows
From row 3 and above, you get to work into what is called the turning chain. Then yarn over the regular way, and insert the hook into the stitch under both top loops to complete the last row of the double crochet (this is the same as the rest of the rows).
Step 4: Counting The Rows Of Your Double Crochet
To count the rows of your double crochet, unlike the single crochet they’re much higher and longer with the foundation chain at the beginning and the turning chain in between the stitches which are the rows. There are several methods to count the rows of your Double Crochet: you can count in your head while you work, use paper and pen to write down, or you can also use a stitch counter.
You can also count the rows in your finished double crochet piece but this is extremely tricky. The end rows can be hard to see with the stitches creating a dense fabric. It is however possible to count from the point where the stitches are worked into the previous rows.
How Many Chains Are At The End Of A Double Crochet Row?
At the end of the rows, there are 3 chain stitches that are of the same height as the double crochet.
This chain is called the turning chain and is counted as the first double crochet following the next row such that the first of the double stitch is worked into the second stitch.
Conclusion
Isn’t this amazing? Of course, it is pretty much easy to count the rows in your Double Crotchet using the horizontal dashes.
The double crotchet has a taller stitch than the single crochet and even if the swatches are of the same size, the double crotchet has lesser rows than the single crochet. All you need is to know what a double crotchet row looks like with the V-holes.