no-chain starting double crochet

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!