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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Michaele R. Wilkins says
I Love To Learn New Stitches and Patterns Also.
Jenny B says
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
moogly says
Jenny, that would be great! Thanks so much!(and you are very welcome!)
Angel says
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
moogly says
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”!
Jennifer says
I this is a little confusing to me too. What did you end up doing?
Angel says
I did use the chains as the first DC. With my particular pattern, once the first row is made it is worked in the round. When my first round was worked it covered that chain and the last FDC.
Angel says
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.
moogly says
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!
Nicole says
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!
moogly says
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!
Patti says
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
moogly says
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.
Ruth says
I love your tutorials, so clear and concise
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much, Ruth!
Cara Louise says
I always love finding just what I need on your site, thank you! I just linked up this video in my blog post- http://carascrochet.weebly.com/1/post/2013/06/fdc-foundationdoublecrochet-and-fantasticdesigncomponent.html
Tamara Kelly says
Love it Cara – thank you so much for your kind words!
Michelle says
Just wondering if I’d be able to use this if the first row contains increases and decreases? Is there anyway to do increases and decrease in a fdc?
Tamara Kelly says
It’s easy to increase – just work a “regular” dc in the same base chain part as the previous fdc. For decreasing, when working the base chain, work the appropriate number of “extra” chains before starting the next actual fdc. I hope that makes sense!
Sara b says
Hi. I just fell over this site and is hoping you’re still up and running. I have a pattern saying to do a FDC increase, and I looked everywhere but can’t find a video. I’m more visual … Is it possible for you to do a video on it?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Sara! Definitely still going strong.
I can think of at least two ways to increase with FDC, but my best guess is that they mean that you should work the first of two fdc sts normally, then going into the bottom as you normally would, work a standard dc instead of an FDC. Then go into that same bottom stitch again and continue as you normally would. That’s just a guess based on what you said though!
Ruby says
Thank you Tamara, for sharing. I am glad I found your blog. Your tutorials and videos have helped me to refine my crochet skills. Looking forward for more great things from you.
Tamara Kelly says
Diana says
Thank you so much! I not only like the idea of bypassing a row of chain stiches but the “stretchiness” of the edge! I think this will work very well arm & leg warmers I’m wanting to make for Christmas gifts. I found your page on Facebook & then your site, had no idea there was anything this helpful out there.
Thank you again.
Tamara Kelly says
Penny says
I learn so much from you. Thanks for this tutorial. It is awesome! I just started your Cuddly Cat Scoodie for a Christmas gift. And, I learned a new stitch from you. This FDC is gonna save me time on future patterns, too. Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
Jody says
Were has this been all my life?! Fantastic, thank you so much for the tutorial!
Meegan says
Trying, trying…my bottom is wonky. Is there any chance that you could post a picture when you’re about 10 stitches in? My head wants my work to be horizontal while I’m making the FDC, but the work is hanging down. I’d love to see a close up of a good start of this, with at least 10 FDC’s made. I am attempting the Eloise Sweater, and it’s never a good sign when step one flummoxes me.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Meegan – do you mean that the first row is curved, with the ends pointing down? This happens when the first chain of each stitch is a little too tight. When you make the FDC, make sure that the first chain of each stitch – the one that represents the foundation chain – is pulled up a bit higher or larger than normal. Additionally, a very slight curve will be straightened out when you work the second row.
Meegan says
Oh, ok. Will make that correction on the foundation chain part. I wasn’t finding the “V”, but I practiced like a crazy woman and have the hang of it…at least it doesn’t look like popcorn anymore, lol! Started my sweater…boy this is quicker than knitting!
Thank you very much!
Clotilde/Craftybegonia says
Very nice tutorial! I always love to learn new ways of doing crochet, thanks for sharing!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you!
BARB says
Moogly has come through for me again! I tried several sites and couldn’t figure them out. Your written instructions are very clear and easy to follow. Keep up the great work- I appreciate you!
Tamara Kelly says
Christine says
Thanks for the great tutorial. After all my years crocheting, I learned something new today!
Mary says
When making a certain number of Foundation Double Crochets, do you count the beginning ch 3? In the tutorial video, you did not. I’m am wondering how to handle this in the Eloise Baby Sweater because the instructions don’t mention it. Thanks for your help!
Tamara Kelly says
Some people do, but personally I do not. In the Eloise Baby Sweater they do not count.
Julie says
Thank you!
MARY baribeau says
Maggie,
I have a question on your pattern Sweater for Girls, it says to chain 43 then to do Foundation Double Crochet. This is confusing to me. Which do I do? I am making this for one of the little girls at my church. I’ve made 2 from different patterns but I wanted to switch up patterns. I would appreciate your response to this. I’m learning new stitches as I do crochet. This is a new stitch. I’ve learned how to do a half double crochet chainless foundation. I love learning new stitches. Thank you on advance for your help. I really love your patterns.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Mary! The Eloise Girls Sweater doesn’t include directions to chain. Perhaps you’re reading the stitch count at the end?
Sherre twigg says
Tamara, I just found your page this morning and have abandoned my latest John Grisham book (my original plan for the morning) because I watched one of your tutorials and then another and then, well…..here I am an hour and a half later. Your instructions are so clear, and your tutorial videos are easy to follow. I can’t wait to try some of the new stitches. My mother taught me to crochet 30 years ago and I’ve made some nice things, but this time spent on your site got me excited again about crochet. Well, maybe it’s a combination of your instructions and my brand new two week old granddaughter to make beautiful things for. Thank you SO much!
Tamara Kelly says
Oh my gosh, thank you so much Sherre!
And congratulations on your new granddaughter!!
Shannah says
How would you join a foundationless chain to make an infinity scarf? I like the look and stretchiness of a foundationaless chain, but have not been able to figure out how to seamlessly join the beginning and end of the chain to work in the round. You can’t just use a slip stitch, as it only joins the top of the chain. I’m sure someone has likely figured this out, I just haven’t been able to find a tutorial.
Thanks,
Shannah
Tamara Kelly says
Ah, great question – and I have just the tutorial for it!
Click here