Sometimes using turning chains when beginning a new row can leave spaces or bumps on the edge of your work, and it doesn’t really even look like a dc. Here is a phototutorial for a great alternative!
*Note: this is not the same as a standing double crochet stitch — that works best when you’re starting a new skein/color.
How to do it:
*Using US terms
First turn your work to prepare for the next row:
Next, pull your hook up, making a loop that’s about the same height as a dc would be, and put your pointer finger on the loop to hold it down:
Still holding down that loop to the hook, yo the hook with the loop itself:
Now yo the hook with your working yarn, still holding on to that loop with your pointer finger:
Now, still holding on to the top of that loop with your finger, pull the working yarn underneath the big loop:
You’ll have two loops on your hook. Now with your working yarn, yo hook once more:
Pull working yarn through both loops (you can finally take your finger off that loop), and you’ve got a beginning stitch that looks like a dc:
In my particular pattern, another dc comes next, so I made that into the second stitch so you can see how similar the stitches are side by side:
That’s it!
This beginning stitch even has a top that looks like a regular dc, so it’s easy to spot when you’re finishing the next row and easy to work into.
Hope that was beneficial for you!
Thank you for the starter stitch I’m off now to practice it!!!!!
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You’re very welcome, I hope you enjoy it!
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Brilliant! I will definitely be trying this soon, thank you for the tutorial
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You’re very welcome, I hope you enjoy it!
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I hope you’ll a movie on Youtube…
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I have crocheted since I was 9, self-taught, and am now 62. I don’t crochet as much as I used to, thanks to fibromyalgia. About 35 years ago, I was making items for craft shows, and just hated the look of a turning chain even more. I never had trouble making them and using them, I just didn’t like them! I fiddled around, and started turning in DC with a ch 1, sc in 1st st, ch 1, and then continuing. I would end the row with a dc in the second ch1. It looked a lot better. The substitute dc I made was thicker than a ch 3, and was the right height. I did similarly working in rounds.
So, years later, I am very pleased that someone found an even better alternative!! Congratulations! If I ever teach or mentor again, you can bet I will show them this!! Thanks!!
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