A while back I did a video tutorial for Foundation Single Crochet (FSC), which shared my method for making that stitch. Now to complete the job, I’ve made one for Foundation Double Crochet, usually abbreviated as FDC!
Video Tutorial: How to Crochet the Foundation Double Crochet Stitch
Written Instructions for Foundation Double Crochet:
The First FDC Stitch: Ch 3. Yo and insert hook into the chain furthest from the hook, yo, and pull up a loop. Yo and pull through the first loop on the hook. This acts as the starting ch for this stitch. Yo and pull through two loops, yo and pull through the last two loops on the hoop, as when making a dc stitch. This completes the first FDC.
Subsequent FDC Stitches: Yo and insert hook into the V at the bottom of the previous stitch. Yo and pull up a loop, then yo and pull through the first loop on the hook. Yo and pull through two loops, yo and pull through the last two loops on the hoop, as when making a dc stitch.
This stitch is great for all the same reasons that FSC is great:
- No counting tiny chains to make sure you have the right number – just count your nice big stitches!
- When you are starting a new project and don’t have an exact stitch count, you can work to the width you want without having to frog a bunch of stitches to get the right ch count.
- No working into the chain stitches, except for that very first stitch! No picking and poking, and no twisting the chain either.
- This is also a great alternative for those who have trouble with making their chains too tight or too loose. Once you’ve got the hang of it, these “chains” are always at your usual stitch gauge.
- It creates a far stretchier edge than a chained edge, which is very desirable for garments in particular. And it looks really great, very polished.
- Lastly, since it counts as the chain row AND the first row of dc, it’s a time saver, getting you to the fun part faster! Once you’ve finished a row of Foundation Double Crochet Stitches, you just go on to the second row of your project as written.
I hope this has made it all clear for you! FDC is one of my favorite ways to start a project, especially when I don’t know how many stitches I’m going to need. Or when I making a neckline or cuff, or….
Thanks again for watching, and if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for videos you’d like to see, please let me know in the comments!
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I Love To Learn New Stitches and Patterns Also.
I just love this concept and I thank you for posting these video tutorials. I have a scarf pattern that I created and doing a Foundation Half Double Crochet makes the pattern work up much easier. I am hoping to sell my pattern on Craftsy.com and I would like to ask permission to send my customers to your website for the tutorial on this stitch. Thank you for your help! -Hooked by Jenny
Jenny, that would be great! Thanks so much!(and you are very welcome!)
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Hi,
When using FDC in a project with written pattern directions that call for a chain first, do I just ignore the chains I made at the beginning of FDC or do those chains count as my first dc as they do with most patterns.
When I watch your video and you count at the end, 3 FDC, there looks like 4 stitches, because of the first chains. Would those chains count as the first dc when I work my next row?
Thank you for all the work you do teaching.
Angel
Angel I would just follow the directions from the pattern and use whatever looks best in what you’re making. If the pattern uses the first few chains as a dc you could do that here too, or you might find that skipping it and working into the FDC looks better – there’s no hard and fast answers I’m afraid! I know that sounds like it’s frustrating, but think of it as liberating – you can always do what you think looks best, and it’s never “wrong”!
I will try it both ways.
I have restarted my very long FDC several times this morning. I was having trouble with it wanting to twist, because the side that acts as the chain side had much more tension. After the forth start I tried pulling the loop that acts as the chain up a good bit before finishing with the dc. Now I have a flat FDC, but very stretchy.
Do you foresee any problems with that? I am doing a mile a minute pattern and the FDC is the center of each strip.
I haven’t done any mile a minute patterns myself, so it’s hard for me to say for sure, but I can’t imagine it would cause trouble? It’s definitely a very stretchy stitch!
This has changed my life!!! I had never heard of this before and the worst part of crocheting for me is not so much making the chain but how long it takes for me to complete the first row. Thanks for the tutorial!
You’re very welcome Nicole!
It’s a great technique – and one of the best things is the amount of stretch you get with it!
Love the technique!
I am currently working on a scarf that calls for
DC, DC, CH 10, Skip 10 DC, DC,DC (4 times)
I get the FDC but how do I then go on to chain the next 10?
Or is it best to just do it the old fashioned way?
Thanks
Thanks Patti! If the first row (after the chain) is what you typed out, then I don’t think fdc will work for you, unfortunately. It works best if the entire Row 1 of the pattern is a row of dc worked into the chains. I can’t think how you’d do this though, I’m sorry. One thing you could do is work as many FSC as you are supposed to make chains (minus the chains that give you the first dc or get you to the height for it). It will give you a more solid edge than a simple chain, but without seeing the pattern it’s hard for me to tell if that would be good or bad.
I love your tutorials, so clear and concise
Thank you so much, Ruth!