How to Foundation Double Crochet Stitch
I personally love using the Foundation Double Crochet Stitch when I start my crochet projects. I find that it just gives a cleaner edge to my crochet projects. This stitch is abbreviated FDC, so keep that in mind when picking a crochet project. Once you get the hang of any of the foundation crochet stitches you will probably have a hard time not using them! If you’re ready to learn how to foundation double crochet stitch, grab a hook and some yarn and let’s get crocheting!
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Materials Needed:
Any size crochet hook (I used a size J – 6.0mm crochet hook)
Any weight yarn (I used a medium weight size 4 yarn for this tutorial)
Crochet Stitches You Need To Know:
To Start the Foundation Double Crochet Stitch:
Begin by chaining 2.
Step 2:
Now we yarn over.
After yarning over, insert the hook into the first chain. Put 2 “legs” of the chain on the top of the hook.
How to FDC – Step 3:
Yarn Over and pull through the stitch. There will be 3 loops on the hook at this point.
Step 4 – How to Foundation Double Crochet:
Before starting this step, make sure that the loop that is closest to the nook of the hook is a little bit looser. This will help to keep your FDC from curving like a rainbow.
Now, yarn over and pull through the FIRST LOOP ONLY. There will be 3 loops on the hook at the end of this step.
We just completed the foundation of the Foundation Double Crochet Stitch. From here on out, we will complete the double crochet part of the FDC.
Step 5:
Now, yarn over and pull through 2 of the loops on the crochet hook. There will be 2 loops left on the hook at the end of step 5.
Step 6:
Finally, yarn over and pull through both loops on the crochet hook. There is now 1 loop left on the crochet hook. This is also ONE completed Foundation Double Crochet Stitch.
Additional FDC – Step 1:
To start another Foundation Double Crochet Stitch, begin by yarning over.
At this point, where to insert the hook is very important. I insert it on the lower edge of the FDC in between the small loop and the larger loop. See the pictures below for exact hook placement.
Additional FDC Stitches – Step 2:
Next, yarn over and pull through the stitch. There will be 3 loops on the hook at this point.
Step 3 – Additional FDC Crochet Stitches:
Again, to keep the Foundation Double Crochet from curving or being too tight on the bottom edge, keep the loop that is currently the closest to the nook of the hook looser.
Now, Yarn Over and pull through the first loop only. There will be 3 loops on the crochet hook at this point.
This has just completed the foundation of the second Foundation Double Crochet stitch.
Additional Stitches – Step 4:
Next, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. There are 2 loops left on the hook at the end of this step.
Step 5:
Finally, yarn over and pull through both loops on the crochet hook. There will be one loop on the hook at the end of this stitch. This also completes another Foundation Double Crochet stitch.
Crochet Hook Placement for the Foundation Double Crochet Stitch:
Knowing where to place the crochet hook for the next FDC is very important. I have included some pictures below that show the placement at different points in creating this stitch.
Moving to the Next Row of Foundation Double Crochet Stitches:
I am a person who likes to chain and then turn when going to the next row of crochet. In this example, I am going to place a row of regular double crochets. How do I do this with a Foundation Double Crochet start?
First, I would make sure that I know which edge it the top or working edge of the FDC and which edge is the bottom edge of the FDC. The bottom edge will have the yarn tail. See the pictures below.
Once you know which edge is which, I chain and then turn. So for this example, I would chain 2 and then turn the FDC. This turn looks a little different than a normal chain and turn. The key is to pay attention to what edge the yarn tail is on.
How to Count Foundation Double Crochet Stitches:
Now, if looking at the FDC from the top edge, each “v” that is seen would count as one stitch (just like a regular crochet stitch would be counted).
Where to Place the Next Row of Stitches:
The top of the Foundation Double Crochet Stitches look just like the top of regular double crochets. See the pictures below.
Pay attention to where the last stitch of the row is placed.
Video Tutorial – How to Foundation Double Crochet:
And that’s how to Foundation Double Crochet Stitch! I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Happy crocheting!