A few years ago I shared the way I make a Chainless Starting Double Crochet. And it was a big hit, and I've used it (and recommended it) in dozens of patterns since. But somewhere over the last couple years, I started adding one more step, which I think makes it even better. So I'm dubbing this one the Improved Chainless Starting Double Crochet!
Disclaimer: Product support provided by Furls; this post includes affiliate links.
First, if you aren't familiar with the "standard" way of making a Chainless Starting Double Crochet, CLICK HERE. Then, come back here and watch the improved version (it makes a lot more sense that way).
Improved Chainless Starting Double Crochet - Right Handed
Improved Chainless Starting Double Crochet - Left Handed
As Seen In This Video - Click for more info
Original Chainless Starting Double Crochet Video
So really, it's just the addition of going into the top of that first stitch - but I think it makes a subtle improvement that your average person might not catch, but a fellow crocheter would! And we all want to have the very best looking projects, to our own eyes as well!
What do you think? Does this make a difference for you, or do you prefer the original version? One of the great things about crochet is that there are so many different ways to get great results -we can all try them out and find what works best for us! If you like it, here's a pin for it, which also demonstrates some of the other common ways to begin a row of dc:
I hope that this tip helps some of you make your crochet projects just that much better!
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Judy says
What would we do without you, Tamara? 🙂 Thank you for this video and for continuing to make us all better crocheters.
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Judy! 😀
Adrienne says
Excellent! Thank you so much! This is one of my favorite techniques.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you!
Pamela says
Love it! So smart.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you!
Fiona Langtry says
Brilliant!!! Thanks so much Tamara - already shared in my group and will be implementing it at my next opportunity 🙂
xx Fi
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Fiona!
fiona Langtry says
Also... have been recommending the use of this stitch, slightly modified, to form a CSHdc in a lot of my recent patterns 🙂 My testers have been raving about it!
Thanks so much for this one!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you all like it, thank you Fiona!
~T~ says
I wish I'd known this when I began my current project. It should help a lot on the sleeves, anyway!
Tamara Kelly says
😀
Kim says
Having finally figured out the chainless starting double crochet, this is a Game changer! Nice! Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you like it!
Melissa says
Somehow I've been doing it "wrong" this way all along.
Tamara Kelly says
You're just that good! 😀
Kelly says
I’ve been trying all kinds of Chainless beginnings and they all drive me crazy....not anymore this works beautifully. Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad to hear it!
Lynndsei says
Lord I wish you'd also write out the instructions for those of us who are naughty and read your site at work, what YouTube is blocked!
Also, haha, I thought I was making my CSDCs the way you originally did, but turns out I was doing this all along!
Katie says
Incredible!! Thank you for sharing this Tamara! Looks so much better than a ch3.
Janice Morrow says
I was amazed when I tried the original technique and this is even better!!! Wow. This subtle change makes all the difference. Thank you!!!
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad you like it too! Thank you! 😀
Cathy Kenny says
WOW! I’m definitely going to try this improved version! Looks better than your first version. Thanks so much for sharing Tamara. Love your videos!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much!
Natalia says
This is amazing! Definitely a game changer. I've been using your other version, but this one is even better!
Tamara Kelly says
Thanks so much Natalia!
Eileen Cooke says
Oh, Tamara! You are the best! I have learned so much from your tutorials . They are done so professionally and are so easy to follow and understand. You're doing such a great service for the crochet community, you have no idea. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Eileen! ♥ That made my Monday morning for sure!
judi Paul says
very neat and easier that the old way. Thanks!!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm glad you like it, thank you!
Linda smith says
Thank you so much for this! I’m using it right now on a scarf requested by my grandson. It makes a huge difference in the appearance of the ends! Than you, thank you, thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad to hear it, thank you!
Lisa says
Absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for teaching this! I've been using the original one you taught and I love it! Now this makes it even better!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much! It was such a small change but a big effect!
Lindsy Penney says
LOVE IT! THANK YOU! Would you recommend using your improved method when working in rounds as well?
Tamara Kelly says
Yes, and thank you! 😀
Maria Brown says
Why didn’t someone think of this nicer looking and easy stitch before? Thanks Tamara
Tamara Kelly says
♥ I'm so glad you like it!
Mary says
Oh! I definitely liked the improved version. Thank you Tamara! Nice of you to share!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much! 🙂
Maaike says
I have used this adaptation for a few years now and didn’t know it was a ‘thing’ until I read this article.
Not as bad as I thought I was!👍🏻
Tamara Kelly says
I think it's just a natural evolution! 🙂
Candice says
This was just posted in a crochet group I’m in. I have been crocheting for 10+years and I love this idea! I always hated how bad the chains looked. I can’t wait for the next project so I can try it out!
Tamara Kelly says
♥ Yay, I'm so glad you saw it!
Rose says
Thank you for introducing this to me. I’ve been crocheting for about 50 years and never heard of it before reading your blog. I always use it now!
Auden says
I just came across this today as I began working on a blanket for my roommate and I, and I wanted to share how I married this with your starting chain double crochet.
I chain three loosely, pulling the third out to double crochet length so I can make a chainless starting double crochet in the 2nd/middle chain. I then work the next double crochet normally into the starting chain. Off of that, I continue the starting chain!
The first two stitches are clearly different than the rest from the bottom, so I don't suggest this method if you're making something without a border of stitches at the end, unless it'll be in the middle of a blanket. That said, if you're using a border (I was using it to make a waffle granny square, so I ended with a border of single crochets), it's perfect! It's a bit tricky to pull off, but once you do, it's very neat little trick, and hides which end you started with quite well once ends are sewn in!
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad you found a method that works so well! ♥
Kristeen says
I found this chain very difficult to do after COUNTLESS attempts. I have reviewed the video countless times to learn what I am doing wrong. Holding on to the first chain and then twisting it was difficult also.
Tamara Kelly says
It's definitely an advanced technique - fortunately it's also optional. 🙂 If we ever get to meet in person, we can try then, it might be easier together!