The Second Row with Double Crochet Stitches
Nora XuCrochet Beginner’s Guide 9-2
Take the first row you have made and mark the final stitch with a stitch marker. Put the hook back into the big loop. Pull the working yarn to adjust the loop to an appropriate size that fits on the hook.
With one loop on the hook, turn the piece you have made over to the other side (like turning a page). For a row that will be made with double crochet stitches, usually you will need to make three chain stitches to form a turning chain. Sometimes, a crochet pattern might call for a different number of chain stitches.
When a turning chain counts as a stitch:
Many patterns will consider this turning chain a stitch. In this case, the turning chain will be viewed as the first double crochet stitch for the second row. Also, the final stitch of the third row will be made into the top chain stitch of this turning chain.
- Viewing from the top, counting “V shapes,” the first three “V shapes” that are the closest to the hook will be considered one stitch, because these three “V shapes” represent the turning chain.
The first place to make a double crochet stitch for the second row will be the second stitch of the row. Mark the top chain stitch of the turning chain. This will be the place to make the final stitch into when working on the third row.
Continue to make one double crochet stitch into each of the remaining stitches of the row until approaching the end of the row. When approaching the end of the row, if the chain stitches you skipped in the beginning of the first row do not count as a stitch, your second row is finished.
If the chain stitches you skipped in the beginning of the first row count as a stitch, the final double crochet stitch for the second row should be made into the top chain stitch of the skipped chain stitches.
- When inserting your hook to make the final stitch, it’s recommended to have your hook under two loops of the chain stitch so the final stitch will sit more stably.
Working on the third row and above is similar to making the second row: after making the turning chain, you will skip the first stitch of the row and make your double crochet stitch into the second stitch of the row.
In the example here, since the turning chain is considered a stitch, the final stitch of the new row will be made into the top chain stitch of the turning chain we made in the beginning of the previous row.
When a turning chain is not considered a stitch:
Some patterns will state that a turning chain is not considered a stitch. In this situation:
- You will make your first new stitch for the new row into the first stitch of the row (no stitch of the row will be skipped in the beginning).
- When approaching the end of the new row, do not make any stitch into the chain stitches from the turning chain.
Below is a video tutorial about
making the second row and beyond with double crochet stitches.
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