Technique Tuesday - First Double Crochet

How To Make the First Double Crochet Stitch

TECHNIQUE
First Double Crochet (First-dc) 

WHAT IS IT?
The First Double Crochet is used as an alternative to the "chain 3" instruction given at the beginning of a row where the chain 3 is meant to be a Double Crochet stitch. Use the First-dc whenever the first stitch of a row is a Double Crochet.

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We've all seen the instructions at the beginning of a row of double crochet stitches that says: Ch 3, dc in next st.

For me, this left a lot of questions in my mind.

Which stitch was the "next st" they were referring to. Was the first stitch the "next stitch" or was the stitch after that first stitch the "next stitch"? Wait… no… that was right… I think…

Do I make the chain 3 then make a Double Crochet in the FIRST stitch of the row only using the chain 3 to get to the height of the Double Crochet row?

Do I make the chain 3 then SKIP the first stitch and THEN make a Double Crochet?

Of course, that led to other questions: If I did count the chain 3 as my first stitch and, essentially, skipped the first stitch making my first actual Double Crochet in the second stitch of the row, where did I work the Double Crochet of the following row? In the chain 3 space that counted as my first double crochet or in the third chain stitch of the chain 3 space?

I have to say I never really cared for any of these options. Here's why…

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Making a chain 3 then working a Double Crochet into the FIRST stitch of the row made my outside edges wavy and bulky because of the additional layer of stitches at the beginning of the rows.

Note the wavy edge in the photo at right. That just didn't look right to me and didn't make any sense unless I actually want to create a wavy border… which is fine… but I don't… so I didn't… 

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Making a chain 3 then SKIPPING the first stitch and working a Double Crochet into the SECOND stitch of the row brought no joy either because there were these obnoxious HOLES in the sides of my beautiful fabrics.

Note the holes in the photo at left. Again, if I want to create this kind of a border… great… but I don't so I didn't…

And never mind how wonky those raw edges look, don't even try working back into them for adding edging stitches or sewing into them for seaming garments.

The bulky edges become even more bulky when you sew them together and do you sew into the chain 3 or the Double Crochet? Either way, bulk on top of bulk makes bulk bulky… bulk… ACK!

And sewing into the chain 3 at the beginning of the swatch with the skipped first stitch makes the holes become larger and even more pronounced and now there are these weird looking lace holes up the side of my beautiful garment that I can't pass off as a "design element" so I just hope nobody looks too closely and forget it I'm not leaving it that way (RIP RIP RIP). GAH!!

Rather than pulling out large clumps of my hair or screaming and ranting so that the Shibakidz go running for the hills, I set out on a quest of experimentation that lead me to a happy place full of unicorns, rainbows, cheesecake, chocolate, and puppies. Photo of puppy for happy place reference… don't you feel better already?

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The criteria for our First Double Crochet stitch was simple:

1. Visually, the First Double Crochet stitch must closely mimic an actual Double Crochet stitch.

2. Gaps along the side of the finished fabric should be minimal to nonexistent.

3. The First Double Crochet stitch must hold its integrity when worked back in to for additional edging stitches or when sewn into for seaming.   

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Not asking too much… just be a Double Crochet without actually being a Double Crochet. Right…

Here's the solution I arrived that that meets all three of the criteria set forth at the beginning of my quest and that has been approved by both of the Shibaguyz.

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First Double Crochet (First-dc): Single crochet in first stitch, chain 2. Note: Use this stitch whenever the first stitch of a row is a Double Crochet.

Check out this close up photo with my lovely hand-drawn breakdown of the parts of the First-dc stitch.

VISUALLY, you can see that the First-dc matches an actual Double Crochet pretty closely.

First, we work the single crochet into the first stitch WITHOUT working a chain 1 to step up to the height of the working row. This turns the single crochet just slightly on its side giving it the same lines as the base of a double crochet.

Next, we work two chains. Note how the first chain VISUALLY mimics the first "yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook" of a double crochet. It doesn't have the same wrap as a double crochet so it isn't as thick as a double crochet but visually it still works. The second chain is worked back into when we work the last stitch of the NEXT row giving it the same visual appearance as a double crochet.

The obnoxious and frustrating GAPS are all but eliminated as well. Again, back to that slightly sideways single crochet. This closes the gap at the base of the stitch allowing the two chains to stand closer to the rest of the double crochets. Also, the fact that we are working into the second chain at the end of the next row snugs the stitches of the First-dc up nice and close.

Look, ma! No gaps!

Finally, the INTEGRITY of the First-dc holds up beautifully when we want to add an additional edging stitch or when sewn into for seaming garments, accessories, afghans, etc… It is easy to see the stitches that should be worked into with your hook for edging or your needle for sewing seams. Also, the stitches don't stretch out of shape when the final seam is sewn. More on our most-used edging and seaming technique coming soon.

Good looking, no gaping holes, and integrity… there's a campaign slogan or life lesson there somewhere… I'm sure of it…

As with all new techniques, give this one a go and get comfy with it. We have found folks like the look of the First Double Crochet after they have had some practice with it. Again, it is our go-to edging technique in all of our patterns. It's like we always say: Start Smart to Finish Fab!

Thanks for joining us today for another Technique Tuesday. We hope you enjoy all of our tutorials and articles from Shibaguyz Designz and will share them with friends and come back often for more good stuff.


Stitch On!
S&J   

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