Foundation Double Crochet (US) / Foundation Treble Crochet (UK): A Clear Step-by-Step Guide

If you usually begin your crochet projects with a long starting chain and then work your first row of double crochet into it, there is another option that many crocheters find easier and neater.

Foundation double crochet allows you to create your starting chain and your first row of stitches at the same time. It produces a flexible, even edge and removes several common frustrations that come with long foundation chains.

I use this technique regularly in my own blanket designs, particularly when I want a consistent tension along the lower edge or when I’m starting a large project with many stitches.

In this guide, I’ll explain exactly what foundation double crochet is, why you might choose it over a traditional starting chain, and how to work it step by step.

What is Foundation Double Crochet?

Foundation double crochet (often abbreviated to FDC) is a technique where you form:

• The foundation chain
• The first row of double crochet stitches

… simultaneously.

Each stitch creates a small chain section at the base and a double crochet stitch at the top.

A Note on Terminology

This tutorial uses US crochet terms.

• US foundation double crochet (FDC)
• UK foundation treble crochet (FTC)

When I refer to double crochet or foundation double crochet in this post, UK crocheters should read this as treble crochet or foundation treble crochet.

Why Use Foundation Double Crochet Instead of a Starting Chain?

Most beginners are taught to:

1. Make a long foundation chain (plus turning chains)
2. Work double crochet back into each chain stitch

This works perfectly well, but it does come with a few common challenges.

Tension Differences

Many crocheters naturally work chain stitches more tightly than double crochet stitches. This can cause the lower edge of the project to pull in slightly, making it narrower than the rows above.

In blankets especially, that slight narrowing can affect drape.

Because foundation double crochet creates proper stitches from the very beginning, the tension is often much more consistent.

Counting Large Numbers of Chains

Chain stitches are small and easy to miscount. If you are starting a wide blanket and need 180 or 220 chains, it’s surprisingly easy to lose track.

Foundation double crochet stitches are larger and more defined, which makes them much easier to count accurately.

Working Into the Chain

Working into a long chain can feel fiddly. Chains twist, it can be awkward to find the correct strand, and it’s easy to split the yarn.

With foundation double crochet, you are always working into a clearly formed stitch rather than a thin chain.

Twisting When Working in the Round

If you are starting a project in joined rounds, such as a cowl, beanie, bag or bottom-up sweater, you must join your long chain before working into it.

With a very long chain, it can be difficult to see whether it has twisted before joining. You may not notice the twist until you’re well into the first round.

Foundation double crochet creates a flat strip of stitches from the beginning, making twists immediately obvious.

When to Use Foundation Double Crochet

Foundation double crochet works well for:

• Blankets worked in rows
• Scarves
• Dishcloths and washcloths
• Bags worked in joined rounds
• Hats and cowls
• Sweaters worked in the round from the bottom up
• Any project that begins with rows of double crochet

In my own work, I often use it when designing tapestry crochet blankets, as it helps maintain an even base for colourwork.

How to Crochet Foundation Double Crochet (Step-by-Step)

Materials

• Yarn of your choice
• Appropriate crochet hook for your yarn weight
• Optional stitch marker (helpful when learning)

Starting Your Foundation Double Crochet

Step 1: Make a slip knot and place it on your hook.

Step 2: Chain 3. These three chains count as your first stitch.

Step 3: Now work your first foundation double crochet into that starting chain:

1. Yarn over.

2. Insert your hook into the first chain you made (the third chain from your hook), working into the back bump under one strand.

3. Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook)

Up to this point, this looks like a normal double crochet.

Now comes the difference:

4. Yarn over and pull through one loop only. This creates the foundation chain at the bottom of the stitch. You still have 3 loops on your hook.

5. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.

6. Yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops.

You have now completed your first proper foundation double crochet stitch.

Remember: the initial chain 3 counts as your first stitch.

Continuing the Row

For each additional stitch:

1. Yarn over.
2. Insert your hook into the chain section at the base of the previous stitch, under both strands.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
4. Yarn over and pull through one loop only (this creates the new foundation chain).
5. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
6. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.

Repeat until you have the required number of stitches.

Pro Tips for Neat Foundation Double Crochet

Tip 1: Work Direction

Some crocheters find this technique easier if they hold the strip vertically rather than horizontally.

Try positioning your work so the stitches extend towards you and your hook travels upward along the side of the previous stitch. Many people find this orientation feels more natural.

Tip 2: Use a Stitch Marker When Learning

When you make the chain portion at the base of each stitch, you can place a stitch marker into it.

This clearly marks where to insert your hook for the next stitch.

After a few repeats, you likely won’t need it.

Tip 3: Keep Your Loops Even

This is the most important detail for balanced stitches.

After you pull up a loop (when you have three loops on your hook), check:

• The newly pulled-up loop is not too tight
• It is not too loose
• Your hook sits at right angles to the row
• The loops look evenly sized

If the chain portion is pulled too tightly, the bottom edge may still draw in slightly.

Taking a moment to even out the loops makes a noticeable difference to the finished result.

Tip 4: Practice with Scrap Yarn

Foundation double crochet can feel unfamiliar at first. That’s completely normal.

I often suggest making a small swatch of 20 stitches using scrap yarn just to understand the rhythm before starting a full project.

How to Adapt A Pattern to Use Foundation Double Crochet

One of the most useful things about this technique is that you can adapt almost any pattern that begins with a chain and double crochet.

If a pattern says:

“Chain 102”
“DC in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across (100 DC)”

You can instead:

• Work 100 foundation double crochet stitches
• Remember the first stitch is your chain 3
• Then continue with row 2 exactly as written

You simply replace the first row.

Patterns That Use Foundation Double Crochet

Some of my own blanket patterns begin with foundation double crochet, including:

• The Cera Blanket – a tapestry crochet blanket designed with an even foundation edge in mind
• The Paper Dolls Blanket – another tapestry crochet blanket which uses foundation stitches for a neat, balanced start

These are good projects if you’d like to practise the technique within a full design.

You can also explore more stitches in my growing Stitch Library and Crochet Blanket Resource Hub, where I’ve gathered blanket-specific techniques and tutorials.

Watch the Full Tutorial

If you’d prefer to see the technique demonstrated visually, I have created a full step-by-step video tutorial showing:

• Exactly where to insert your hook
• How to manage tension
• How the stitches build

Watching it in real time can make the structure much clearer.

Watch the full Foundation Double Crochet Tutorial video tutorial here

Foundation Double Crochet Summary

1. Chain 3 (counts as first stitch).
2. Yarn over.
3. Insert hook into base chain or previous stitch’s chain section.
4. Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops).
5. Yarn over, pull through one loop (foundation chain made).
6. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops.
7. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops.

Repeat to required stitch count.

Final Thoughts

Foundation double crochet is not mandatory. Many projects work perfectly well with a traditional chain start.

However, for projects where:

• You need even tension
• You’re starting a large number of stitches
• You’re working in the round
• You want a more flexible lower edge

…it can make the beginning of your project feel smoother and more controlled.

Like most crochet techniques, it becomes easier with a little repetition.

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About Catherine

Catherine is a UK-based crochet designer specialising in thoughtful, well-structured blanket patterns, particularly tapestry and colourwork designs. She has designed patterns for yarn companies and magazines, runs in-person workshops, and teaches thousands of crocheters through her blog and YouTube tutorials. Her focus is always on clear instruction, practical technique and confidence-building crochet.