What Does DC Mean in Crochet? Understanding Crochet Terms

Crocheting is a popular and versatile craft that has captured the hearts of many for generations. One of the essential aspects of crochet is learning the various stitches, each with its own unique abbreviation. These abbreviations help simplify patterns and make them easier to understand. Among these commonly used abbreviations is DC, which stands for double crochet.

The double crochet stitch is one of the fundamental crochet stitches and it’s an essential part of every crocheter’s bank of skills. Double crochet or DC stitches are used in a wide variety of patterns, ranging from scarves and blankets to garments and intricate lace designs.

In this article, we will explain how to form a double crochet (DC) stitch, how it compares to other basic stitches, and some fun and interesting variations or special uses of the DC stitch.

Understanding DC in Crochet

DC Abbreviation

As noted above, DC stands for double crochet, and it is a common abbreviation used in crochet patterns. This abbreviation helps both novice and experienced crocheters identify and execute a specific stitch in their projects. As there are many stitches in crochet, using abbreviations like DC makes it easier for everyone to understand instructions in a clear and concise manner.

US and UK Crochet Terms

At this point, it should be noted that there are differences between US and UK crochet terms. In this article, we are discussing the DC stitch as a US crochet term. This is the equivalent of a treble or TR stitch in UK crochet terms.

A DC stitch in UK crochet terms is the equivalent of a single crochet or SC stitch in US terms.

For more discussion about the differences between US and UK crochet terms, have a read of this article.

Now, let’s dive into the double crochet stitch itself.

Double Crochet Stitch

Double crochet, shortened as DC, is a fundamental stitch in crochet that creates taller and more open fabric compared to some of the other basic stitches. It’s a versatile stitch often used in various garments, home décor items, and accessories.

The height of a DC is twice that of a single crochet (SC) stitch, making it perfect for projects requiring taller stitches and faster completion times.

Double crochet stitches create a more open weave with spaces between the stitches, providing a less dense and more drapey fabric compared to single crochet. This openness is ideal for creating light and airy patterns, like lacy shawls or breezy blankets.

How to Create a DC Stitch

Follow these steps to create a DC stitch:

• Yarn over (i.e. wrap the yarn around your hook) and insert the hook into the stitch where the DC is to be formed.
• Yarn over again and pull through the stitch. You will now have three loops on your hook.
• Yarn over once more, pull through two loops. You will now have two loops on your hook.
• Yarn over again, and pull through the remaining two loops, leaving one loop on your hook.

You have now created a DC stitch.

Other Basic Crochet Stitches

Single Crochet (sc)

Single crochet, or sc, is another of the most basic and commonly used crochet stitches. It’s perfect for beginners because it is straightforward to learn and forms a tight fabric. To make a single crochet stitch, follow these steps:

1. Insert your hook into the stitch where the sc is to be made.
2. Yarn over and pull through, creating two loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook, leaving one loop on your hook

You have now completed one single crochet stitch.

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Half double crochet, or hdc, is another basic stitch in crochet. Its height is between than of the sc and the dc stitch, and it creates a slightly looser fabric compared to the single crochet. It is worked as follows:

1. Yarn over before and inserting your hook into the designated stitch.
2. Pull through the stitch, leaving three loops on the hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook, leaving one loop on your hook.

Congratulations, you’ve just made a half double crochet stitch!

Treble Crochet (tr)

Treble crochet, or tr, is a taller stitch than the double crochet stitch. It creates a light and airy fabric, making it ideal for projects such as shawls and lacework. To work a treble crochet stitch, follow these steps:

1. Yarn over twice before inserting your hook into the stitch.
2. Insert the hook and pull through the stitch; you should now have four loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through two of the loops on the hook, leaving three loops.
4. Yarn over again and pull through the next two loops, leaving two loops.
5. Finally, yarn over once more and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook, leaving one loop on your hook.

You’ve now completed a treble crochet stitch.

Working with DC in Patterns

Reading Patterns

Working with double crochet (DC) in patterns involves understanding some basic crochet abbreviations and terms. When following a crochet pattern, you might come across various abbreviations and symbols. It’s crucial to know how to read them to create a successful project.

Always read the Notes section of a pattern before you start and it usually contains lots of helpful information and tips to help you create your project. Also, be sure to take note of whether US or UK crochet terms are used in the pattern.

Common Abbreviations

Here is a list of common abbreviations you may encounter in crochet patterns:

• BLO: back loop only
• ch: chain
• cl: cluster
• dc: double crochet
• FLO: front loop only
• hdc: half double crochet
• inc: increase
• rd: round
• rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• sc: single crochet
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch
• sp: space
• st: stitch
• WS: wrong side
• yo: yarn over

When reading a crochet pattern, these abbreviations come together to make up the instructions for your project. Let’s look at an example:

Row 1 (RS): Ch 24, dc in 4th ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as dc), dc in each ch across. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across, working last st in top of turning ch. Turn.

This example uses abbreviations like ch, dc, and RS. It’s essential to understand what each abbreviation represents to complete the row accurately. It’s also helpful to know that some patterns use terms like “Row 1 (RS)” to indicate that it’s the first row and the right side of the work.

Learning how to read and interpret the various abbreviations and terms in crochet patterns is critical for working with DC or any stitch. Familiarizing yourself with this list of common terms and practicing by following patterns will increase your confidence and skills as a crocheter.

Increasing and Decreasing with DC

Crochet involves various techniques to increase and decrease the size or shape of your project, using stitches like DC (double crochet). Here are some of the most commonly used DC increase and decrease techniques.

Increase Techniques

1. Basic DC increase: The simplest method to increase your row using DC is to work two DC stitches into the same stitch from the previous row. This adds an extra stitch to the row.
2. Using chains: You can also increase by chaining an extra stitch at the beginning of the row and then work a regular DC stitch into the same stitch. This method adds an extra DC at the start of a row.

Decrease Techniques

1. dc2tog (Double Crochet 2 Together): To decrease with DC, you can use a technique called dc2tog. This method involves working two stitches together to create a single stitch. Here’s how to do it:
   • Yarn over, insert your hook into the indicated stitch, and pull up a loop.Yarn over, pull through two loops on the hook, leaving two loops on your hook.Yarn over again, insert the hook into the next stitch, and pull up another loop, leaving four loops on your hook.Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook, leaving three loops on your hook.Yarn over for the last time, and pull through all the three loops remaining on your hook, leaving one loop on your hook.
   The dc2tog creates a decrease by effectively merging two DC stitches into one.
2. dc3tog (Double Crochet 3 Together): This technique is similar to dc2tog but merges three stitches together instead of two. Here’s how to create a dc3tog:
   • Yarn over, insert your hook into the indicated stitch, and pull up a loop.
   • Yarn over, pull through two loops on the hook, leaving two loops on your hook.
   • Yarn over again, insert the hook into the next stitch, and pull up another loop, leaving four loops on your hook.
   • Yarn over, pull through two loops on the hook, leaving three loops on your hook.
   • Yarn over once more, insert the hook into the third stitch, and pull up a loop, leaving five loops on your hook.
   • Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook, leaving four loops on your hook.
   • Yarn over for the last time, and pull through all four loops remaining on your hook, leaving one loop on your hook.

dc3tog is especially useful when you need to decrease rapidly, shaping your project in a more pronounced manner.

By using these increase and decrease techniques effectively, you can create versatile and intricate crochet patterns using DC stitches.

Special Stitches and Techniques

Front and Back Loops

As we now know, the term “dc” stands for double crochet, which is a basic stitch that is essential to many patterns. Some variations of this stitch involve working in different loops such as front loop and back loop.

To dc in front loop only (FLO):

1. Yarn over and insert your hook in the front loop of the stitch.
2. Yarn over and pull through.
3. Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook.
4. Yarn over again and complete the dc as usual.

For a back loop only (BLO) dc stitch:

1. Yarn over and insert your hook in the back loop of the stitch.
2. Yarn over and pull through.
3. Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook.
4. Yarn over again and finish the dc.

Working in either the front or back loop creates a unique texture in your crochet piece, and these techniques are often used for items such as ribbing and textured patterns.

Post Stitches

Front post (FP) and back post (BP) stitches are another variation of the dc stitch. Instead of working into the loops, these stitches are worked around the post of the stitch below. For a front post double crochet (FPDC):

1. Yarn over and insert your hook from front to back, then around the post of the stitch below.
2. Yarn over, pull through, and complete the dc as normal.

To make a back post double crochet (BPDC):

1. Yarn over and insert your hook from back to front, then around the post of the stitch below.
2. Yarn over, pull through, and finish the dc as normal.

These stitches create a unique texture that adds depth to your crochet design and can be used as border finishes or to create patterns in your projects.

Cluster Stitches

Clusters are a group of stitches worked together to form a more complex texture, often used for flowers, puff stitches, and bobble effects. A double crochet cluster may use several dc stitches, such as 3-dc cluster:

1. Yarn over, insert your hook in the designated stitch or space, and pull up a loop.
2. Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook. (You will have two loops remaining on the hook.)
3. Repeat steps 1-2 twice more, resulting in four loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over and pull through all four loops to complete the cluster.

For more discussion of different types of cluster stitches, read this article.

Tapestry Crochet

Tapestry crochet is a colorwork technique that uses different colored yarns to create beautiful and fun colorwork patterns and images in a design. It can be performed with any of the basic crochet stitches although for blankets it works particularly well with DC stitches. Read this page to find out more about tapestry crochet and how it’s done.

Conclusion: What Does DC Mean in Crochet?

DC, or double crochet, is an important stitch in crochet that every crocheter should know. It’s a versatile stitch that can be used in many projects, from shawls to blankets.

Follow these steps to create a DC stitch:

• Yarn over and insert the hook into the stitch where the DC is to be formed.
• Yarn over again and pull through the stitch. You will now have three loops on your hook.
• Yarn over once more, pull through two loops. You will now have two loops on your hook.
• Yarn over again, and pull through the remaining two loops, leaving one loop on your hook.

There are also a wide range of variations and special uses of the basic DC stitch which can add fun and interest to your projects.

More Crochet Tips and Advice – Plus Two FREE Patterns

Sign up to my email list to receive a monthly newsletter with crochet news, tips and advice, as well as details of new pattern releases and exclusive discounts. Plus, receive TWO FREE PATTERNS when you sign up today.