How to double crochet (dc) for a longer stitch

 How to Double Crochet (dc) for a longer stitch

Make a ch of 12. YO and insert hook in 4th ch from hook.

YO again and draw up a loop through ch.

(You should now have 3 loops on the hook.)

YO and draw through only 2 of the loops on the hook.

(You should now have 2 loops left on the hook.)

YO once more and draw through both loops left on hook.

You have completed your first dc. To make the next dc: YO hook and insert in next ch. YO and draw yarn through, (3 loops on hook.) Work loops off 2 at a time as follows: YO draw yarn through only two of the loops on hook. YO once again and draw yarn through both loops left on the hook. Continue making dc in each ch across. Ch 3, turn. Next row – this is very important – the last ch-3 stitch you made is called the “turning ch.” Unlike the turning ch for sc and hdc, this ch-3 is also counted as the first dc and is not worked in. Skip the top of the first dc and dc in the top of the next 8 dc. Make the last dc in top of the ch-3 turning ch you made on the previous row. (10 dc made by counting the first ch-3 turning ch as a dc.) Ch 3, turn. Note: It may be easier to count the number of vertical bars across. Repeat the last row being careful to not add or skip dc. Count each row to maintain 10 dc.

Decreasing and Increasing With Double Crochet 

To decrease in double crochet (dec dc) – YO and insert hook in st indicated. YO again and draw yarn through st. Do NOT finish st. YO and insert hook in next st. YO again and draw yarn through st. You should now have 5 loops on your hook.

YO and draw yarn through 4 loops on your hook. 

You should now have 2 loops on hook.

YO one last time and draw through the remaining two loops on your hook. Decrease is complete.

To increase in double crochet (inc dc) – Make 2 or more dc in the same st.