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Even if you have only been crocheting for a short time, you will have heard of, and perhaps know how to make, the double crochet. It is a brilliant stitch and one of the first that you learn to make as a beginner crocheter.
If you would like to up your game, you can learn how to make a linked double crochet...now, do not fear, it is not nearly as difficult as it sounds! I discovered this stitch months ago and have used it in many projects. I'm going to talk about the difference between a regular double crochet and the linked version, so make sure you keep reading! Or, if you simply want to get cracking, you can skip straight to the pattern!
The Difference in Stitches:
The regular double crochet is an incredibly versatile stitch. It is great for building up large projects quickly and has a reasonable amount of stretch to it. Items such as a mesh market bag or garments often use the double crochet for this reason. That being said, it does have a tendancy to show the gaps in between stitches which can affect the overall look of a project as well as the sturdiness/stiffness of an item.
The linked double crochet, on the other hand, has very few gaps in between the stitches, hence its name. It is a lot sturdier than a usual double crochet, and is also far more compact. A square of linked double crochet that is 15 stitches by 15 rows will come up slightly smaller than a squre of the same amount of stitches in a normal double crochet. It is a great stitch for bags, coasters, phone/table/laptop cases and the like. However, it is stiffer and denser and so is not ideal for projects that need to be looser. While it does have some stretch, it does not have quite the same amount as the normal double crochet.
What you will need:
A yarn of your choice (I recommend using a chunky/thicker yarn when learning this stitch. It makes it much easier to see your work!)
A corresponding crochet hook.
Pattern Notes:
This is written in US crochet terms. The UK version of this would be called the linked treble crochet. If you are unsure about the difference between UK and US crochet terms, check out my blog post here where I explain it in detail.
Method:
Making your chain and 1st double crochet:
Begin by making a slip knot. Chain your desired amount, plus two extra chains (I have made 12 chains).
Instead of yarning over (as you would with a normal double crochet), insert your hook into the second chain from your hook. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
Insert your hook into the next chain. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on your hook.
Now, make your double crochet as normal: yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops (you will have 2 loops left on your hook). Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
Making the rest:
Now, you want to find the small horizontal bar at the front of your last stitch (see the photo below for some help). Insert your hook under this bar (from top to bottom), yarn over and pull up a loop.
Insert your hook into the next chain. Yarn over and pull up a loop (you will have 3 loops on your hook).
Make your double as normal: yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
Repeat these steps all the way along your chain, working into that "front bar" each time.
The front bar you work under. The end of row 1 should look like this. You can see that there is a long line running horizontally along the centre, showing that each of your stitches are linked.
Row 2 and onwards:
Chain 2 and turn your work (this chain 2 does not count as a stitch). Insert your hook back into the 1st of those chains. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
Insert your hook into the 1st stitch of the row. Yarn over and pull up a loop (you will have 3 loops on your hook).
Make your double crochet as normal: yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops. Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
Just as we did in row 1, find that horizontal bar across the front of the last stitch you made. Insert your hook underneath it, yarn over and pull up a loop.
Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.
Make your double crochet as normal: yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops. Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
Continue across the row in this way. When you get to the end, chain 2 and turn your work.
And there you are! That is how you make the linked double crochet!
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