Double Crochet UK vs US
The double crochet in the UK is the same stitch as single crochet in USA terminology. The UK double crochet is therefore a smaller stitch than the US double crochet stitch. In this article I’ll quickly simplify the difference between the UK and US versions for you.
If you want to dive straight into the method, jump over to my article on the single, double (and treble!) crochet stitches.
Remember, there is no British single crochet stitch!
- To hook the double crochet UK follow the single crochet pattern.
- For the double crochet US follow the double crochet pattern.
How did we get here?
When I first started crocheting I very quickly hit upon a point of confusion. Just when I thought I was following a tutorial correctly, I would find myself muddled when it came time to move on to a new one.
I am embarrassed to admit that my assumption that it was my lack of understanding at the route of the problem, meant that it was several days before I found out what was going on.
English and American double crochet terminology for stitching is different. Looking back it should have been obvious that was what was going on, but there you go! Here is a simple explanation of each.
UK Double Crochet
The smaller stitch, known in American terminology as a single crochet.
- To practice your Double Crochet UK, first chain eleven
- Insert your hook into the second chain along.
- Yarn over
- Pull the hook through the chain stitch.
- There will now be two loops on your hook
- Yarn over
- Pull the hook through the two loops.
Congratulations! You have made a Double Crochet UK-style.
Now you can go along the row practicing by putting one into each stitch of your chain.
So where is the difference between UK and USA?
USA Double Crochet
The larger of the two identically named stitches, known in UK terminology as a treble crochet. The differences is purely that when you American double crochet, you yarn over the hook before it enters the loop.
This means that when you subsequently yarn over and pull through you have an additional loop on your hook on the other side.
- To practice your Double Crochet US first chain twelve.
- Yarn over and insert your hook into the third stitch along.
- Yarn over
- Pull through the chain stitch. You will now have three loops on your hook
- Yarn over
- Pull through the first two loops on your hook. You will now have two loops on your hook
- Yarn over
- Pull through the remaining loops on your hook.
And you have achieved a Double Crochet US! Once again, you can practice by going along the chain and putting on ito each chain stitch.
Summary
Single Crochet (USA) = Double Crochet (UK)
Double Crochet (USA) = Treble Crochet (UK)
And now you know!
Hi Lucy
A note about the last bit of your post – isn’t the USA Double the same as a UK Treble, not the UK single.
Helen x
Hi Helen, Thanks! A major typo on the last line is never a good thing to have 🙂
Just a general question to alternate between dc and single crochet.. to make a King size blanket. What would you estimate.. I’m going to use Avery large hook. So just needing some guesstimating on amout of yarn
Hi Beth, For a big project like this I’d make a sample of say a dozen or so stitches, measure it and multiply it from there. The number of stitches you’ll need will depend a little on your tension as well as the hook size and yarn weight, but this method should give you an idea what you’re aiming for. Hope that helps!