Initial Double Crochet Without Starting Chain
By Candace – 12 CommentsStarting chains can be pretty annoying when you want a straight edge. They can really take away from the look of a scarf or blanket that doesn’t have any edging around it. Luckily, you can get rid of them with this variation of a double crochet stitch. Now you can get the height and the first stitch all in one.
You can hover over the images to get a left-handed view.
To start, draw up the starting loop to the height of a dc.
Holding the loop still with your finger, yarn over with the loop. You now have three loops on the hook.
Yarn over, pull through two loops. You now have two loops on the hook.
Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
Now you can skip the first dc (you already made it) and continue normally unless the chain counts as a dc in your pattern.
If you need any help, feel free to ask questions in the comment section.
Oh happy day! You have solved a great problem for me, those beginning chains. THANX!
Is there a version of this for other stitches?
That’s a good question. It’s too bad I don’t have the answer. 🙁
Hey Asprin and Candace, I believe it can be done for other stitches, like hdc, tr, etc. It’s very similar to the way it’s done for the dc, but you would adjust the length of the initial loop you pull up, how many times you wrap the loop around the hook, and how many times you yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook.
Thanks, I will try that soon.
This is lovely but ….. I couldn’t catch what is meant by “yarn over with the loop” of step 2. Could you describe more in detail?
In this case, it means exactly what it says. You yarn over with the loop you pulled up.
I love this idea for dc.
Also, I think I have the same hook as you! It got me excited. Is it a Susan Bates 5mm Silvalume?
Yes it is. I have the set with sizes E-K
Thank you so much. I am new to crochet and have been making a wool blanket I will felt for my cats. I was following instructions on that beginning chain exactly (perusing many websites and patterns) and was so frustrated at the lack of a clean edge. 9Didn’t matter because I am felting, but still! I want to make OTHER things;~))
Looking forward to trying this out tonite!
I tried this method on a scarf I made. It looked pretty good, but had trouble working back into it later on the thin yarn.
I will probably still use it at times as it looks good with thicker yarns. But I like the dc2tog method better when it’s a thin yarn.
Great Idea! Thanks this will make a much nicer beginning than the ch 3.