Since sharing the Linked Double Crochet and Linked Treble Crochet tutorials, I've been asked how to work them in the round. I've only seen one pattern where linked stitches were worked in rounds, and the joining technique to avoid a hole was rather difficult - despite practice I never could make it look good. Luckily, it's much easier to work linked stitches in spirals. Here's how I do it.
Linked Double Crochet in a Spiral Video Tutorial
Linked Double Crochet in a Spiral Photo Tutorial
This video and photo tutorial was shot using Lion Brand Thick & Quick and a 10mm hook from Craftwich Creations. The stitch can be worked with any yarn and the appropriate hook size, with any number of stitches needed to create the pattern you're working. To start, you can go with the Magic Circle, or your favorite method for starting to work in the round.
The theory behind Linked Double Crochets worked in a spiral is simple. If you were to start right off with a ch 3 and linked doubles, like you would if you were working in rows, then when it came time to work in the spiral you'd have a big gap or jump as you go to the second round. To avoid this, you can work a few single crochet stitches first:
There are no hard and fast rules about how many single crochet stitches to work at the beginning. I went with 3, but you can experiment a bit to see what works best for your project. After you've made your single crochets, work one regular double crochet, and place a marker in it - this is the first official stitch of the first round:
Now it's time to work the linked double crochets. How many of these you'll work into the ring is up to you, and depends on several factors, including the yarn and hook size you're using and what sort of project you're making. Don't be afraid to try things out, frog, and try again. In the video I starting with 10 doubles in a round, and in the photos I went with just 7, but 12 might easily work better. Since here I went with 7, you'll actually see only 3 linked doubles worked into the ring:
And then the last 3 linked doubles will be worked into the single crochet stitches that you started with! So to get to 7 here, we have the 1 regular double crochet, plus 3 in the ring, plus 3 in the single crochets:
Now it's time to work the first stitch of Round 2. Remove the stitch marker, and go ahead and make a linked double right in the top of that first double crochet from Round 1. Replace the marker in this stitch - it's the new first stitch of the round! From here, you'll just keep working linked double crochets. Increasing in the standard way, you'll add 10 (or 12, or whatever number you started with) stitches in each row. This will give you a flat spiral. If the spiral is cupping, try adding more stitches in the ring at the beginning. If it's ruffling, try adding less. Crochet is an adventure! When it's time to end the project, work a couple of shorter stitches until you can slip stitch and finish off.
I hope this have given you an idea of how you can use linked stitches to work circular or in the round projects, without any gaps. It's a fun technique to play with, and very inspiring I think! I have a couple of fun ideas percolating for sure!
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Chris says
Would this be a good technique to make items (I'm thinking specifically of amigurumi) faster while having the same look as single crochet or do you think the technique adds more steps/complexity? I will probably try it myself anyways but I'm interested to hear your opinion 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
That's an interesting question! It does add that horizontal line, so that's something to think about. It also might be tricky to use for small details. But for the big pieces, like bodies, it might work!
Pia Thadani says
That makes such a pretty spiral line on the front of the fabric! I love it 🙂
debby flores says
This is lovely; can't wait to try it.
Kristina says
Hey, Tamara! I wasn't quite sure what a linked double crochet was so I went back and checked your previous post and man is that cool! I love this! I like to do Amiguruimi but hate the holes and hate waiting for it to be done, this might be a fun way to cheat and get it done faster without the big holes. I will have to try it. Thanks for teaching us!
Autumn Hegler says
I've been experimenting using this stitch in an amigurumi toy and it has great potential in shaping. I used it in rounds that were half ldc and half sc and it gave a nice subtle curve making a nice belly. and I'm covering the lines with a belly patch but I kinda like them too.
Tamara Kelly says
Great to hear, thank you Autumn!
Gale says
Having tried and tried sc in a circle --- drive me crazy ! Your LDC is AWESOME - now as a newbie to crocheting how so I 'bind off' that got me stumped - so I can keep my pretty perfect circle
Tamara Kelly says
Thanks Gale! To finish off you'll want to make a series of shorter sts - a couple hdc, sc, then a sl st. It's not invisible, but it is the best way to bring that line back down to meet the previous row.
GaLe Oliver says
Thank you Tamera ~ it worked out perfect !! You've got me 'hooked'
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad!
Little granny says
Love this so pretty going to try this
Little granny says
Thank you I'am going to try this a show my niece this she just started to lean crochet
MaddyTN says
This is my initiation to Moogly and all I can say is, "Where have you been all my crochet life?" Follow that with, "You have a follower, indeed!"
So, I was a little unclear about the reasoning of LDCs. But all it took was a quick read of your December 18 blog to answer my questions. What a great stitch! I can see using it a thousand ways just for starters.
Thanks so much. Now must get back to reading the rest of your blog! Greedily looking forward to more, more, more!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thanks so much Maddy!
Tina says
Im a little confused about what a "linked" dc is. Are you referring to the fact that the piece is done in a spiral, rather than in concentric rounds?
Tina says
Oh wait never mind...I spotted nthe tutorial for the linkd stitch. Ill chek it out, I'm sure that will explain it all quite clearly. 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Hope so!
Marrie says
Very nyc teacher <3 teaching till top.. love it 🙂
Kathryn J Fay says
Good morning can I make a rug with this pattern with my old yarn I would use two or three held together or can you tell me what I should us thank you
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Kathryn! You can uses any yarn you like with this stitch! 🙂
Joy Ann Buskirk says
Hi Tamara,
I LOVE learning new stitches and am always grateful to watch a tutorial. I watch the linked double crochet spiral but was not understanding the stitch so I searched out your linked double crochet tutorial and am now on my way!
Thank you so much for showing us this stitch!
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad it helped, thank you Joy!
Raewyn says
Thank you! I am trying to crochet a little design that has been converted from Russian - not everything has translated well but I've worked out that this stitch is what I need to be doing...I appreciate your clear instructions/tutorial 🙂
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad it helped! Those Russian patterns are lovely, but not for the faint of heart! 😛
Kim says
I've never liked double crochet because of the spacing between the stitches and the floppiness it has. This is a great stitch for making toasty afghans. Thanks!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 I'm so glad you like it! Thank you Kim!
Daniella says
Thank you so much for this! Regarding finishing the spiral, where should I start using shorter stitches to even it out? My last 1-2 rows, maybe or a few stitches away from completing my last row?
Tamara Kelly says
Usually just a couple stitches before the end of the last round. Then sl st and seamless join to the first couple stitches (so you'll go "over" in stitch count, but it makes a nice ending!).
Xeng says
HI,
Thank you for this awesome tutorial. I just have one question. How do you do a decrease with this method?