Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) Tutorial For Beginners

Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) by Crafting Happiness FACEBOOK POSTER

What is Foundation Double Crochet

Foundation stitches are a game-changer. I already showed you how to crochet the foundation single crochet and foundation half double crochet in the previous tutorials, and today I’ll show you how to crochet the foundation double crochet.

The Foundation Double Crochet is a method of starting a crochet project that allows you to work your foundation chains and your first row of double crochet stitches at the same time.

This technique is also known as the chainless double crochet foundation because you are not required to make a starting chain at the beginning of your project, instead, you create the base chain and the double crochet stitch on top of it in one easy step that will save you time and a lot of hassle.

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Why start your project with a Foundation Double Crochet

There are several reasons why you should start your project with a foundation double crochet, even if the pattern you are following doesn’t advise you to. You can simply replace the foundation chain and first row of double crochet stitches with a foundation double crochet row.

Save Time – working the starting chain and the first row of double crochet stitches in one step will save you time and make the stitch counting hassle-free.
Even Tension – Starting chains and regular stitches often have different tensions and this will cause your edge to curve. This is not the case when using the foundation double crochet.
Add Stitches As You Go – Missing stitches is easy when making a regular starting chain. Also counting the chains can be a pain. With foundation double crochet, you can add or take away extra stitches if you miscalculated the project size or the number of stitches required.
Flexible Edge – Foundation double crochet rows are stretchy and therefore a great option for crocheting clothes or any other project that need a flexible edge.
Easy To See Stitches – When working with novelty yarns like fur or tinsel yarns is easy to miss a stitch, but not when you start your project with a foundation double crochet row.

How to use the Foundation Double Crochet

This method can be used on any pattern that requires you to make a foundation chain and then crochet a row of double crochet stitches, your life will be so much easier. But there are times when you should only use the foundation single crochet method to start and make your projects, here are a few examples:

Crochet Appliques – Crocheted appliques are made out of all sorts of shapes and using foundation double crochet stitches will help you add stitches on both sides of the row and create those unusual shapes to form your project.
Shaping Garments – in the same way, the foundation double crochet is very useful when shaping garment parts as you can add extra stitches on one side of the row.
Stretchy Edges – perfect for garments that need a bit of stretch on the edges.

Video Tutorial

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How To Crochet The Foundation Single Crochet

Pattern Notes

Pattern Characteristics

solid
techniques
basic stitches

Pattern Repeat

crochet as you go

Supplies Used

Marriner Yarns Aran
Click here for YARN ALTERNATIVES
5mm crochet hook

Abbreviations

Pattern written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

ch – chain
dc – double crochet

Special Stitches

No special stitches were used in this pattern.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Start with a slip knot and ch3 (this is the only chaining you will do when making a foundation double crochet)

Step 2: Yo and insert your hook in the 3rd ch from hook, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 3 loops on hook).

You have now created the first base chain.

Step 3: Yo and pull through 2 loops on the hook (2 loops on hook), yo and pull through the 2 remaining loops on the hook.

You have now created the double crochet on top of the base chain. This counts as one stitch when counting stitches and is abbreviated as fdc.

Step 4: Let’s create another base chain. Yo and turn your work with the bottom up to expose the first base chain.

Insert your hook under both loops of the chain.

Yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 3 loops left on hook).

Now you have a new base chain.

Step 5: Next, we will make the double crochet stitch on top of that base chain.

Yo and pull through the first 2 loops on hook (2 loops left on hook), yo and pull through the 2 remaining loops on hook.

Another foundation double crochet stitch is complete.

Step 6: Let’s make another foundation double crochet (fdc) from start to end.

To make the base chain, yo and turn your work upside down to expose the previous base chains, insert your hook under both loops of the last chain, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through just one loop on the hook (still 3 loops on hook).

To make the dc stitch on top, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops left on hook), yo and pull through the 2 remaining loops on hook.

Repeat step 6 until you have the required length or number of stitches.

Pattern Swatch

foundation double crochet stitches used to shape the crochet project

And this is how you crochet the Foundation Double Crochet. If you found this tutorial helpful, please share and Pin it! Follow me on Pinterest here.

Tag me @craftinghappinesscrochet with your creations.

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COPYRIGHT:

The photographs in this tutorial are subject to copyright and are the property of Crafting Happiness, don’t use them to advertise your own creations. You may use photos from this post only if you directly link back to this tutorial.

Happy Crocheting!

2 Comments

Roz
March 6, 2021 @ 2:29 am

Thanks for the tutorial. I’ve been crocheting for over 50 years and always started with a foundation chain but I like the foundation double crochet better. It gives my projects a much neater look.

- arianagoldberry
  March 6, 2021 @ 3:47 pm
  
  you’re very welcome!