Linked Double Crochet Stitch

Most weeks at The Knitters Edge, each student in my crochet class brings a WIP.  Sometimes, I’ll have a project planned for all of us to work on together.  And then, there are days when someone walks in with a pattern she needs help with.  That’s when my skills really get tested.

This past week, a new student arrived, working on the Basketweave Stocking Hat by Drew Emborsky, The Crochet Dude.  She had worked the basketweave brim and had done the first row of the cap portion that uses the linked double crochet stitch. Her problem was partially in reading the pattern because, let’s face it, some patterns simply assume we know some of the steps and leave them out of the written instructions.  Plus, she was about ready to continue to the next row and couldn’t figure out how.

I’ve worked with the linked double crochet once while working a swatch for a master’s crochet course but I’ve never used it to make anything.  So, technically, I don’t really know the stitch.  Out came my iPad to search for instructions or a tutorial to refresh my memory.

I found this very helpful article by Crochet with Passion that has pictures of each step.  I also found this video tutorial by NewStitchaDay (you have to get through the talking at the beginning) that also proved to be just what we needed.

Once I figured out the stitch, the next question was whether or not the cap was worked in spiral method or joining rounds.  Here’s a case where providing more clarifying information would have been very helpful.  The pattern stated “do not join” for a round earlier in the instructions but it never said to continue doing that once you got to the point in the cap where we were stuck.  After much debate, and trial and error, we figured out that the spiral method was the way to go.  It looked great!

The linked double crochet stitch is a wonderful alternative to the double crochet stitch.  The linked version gives you the height of a regular double crochet without the holes that are inherent with that construction.  It’s perfect for this cap where you want a more closely-woven stitch for warmth.  The resulting fabric is still flexible and drapes well.

The hat is really cute.  But, be warned.  It was classified as “easy” – that’s assuming you have some experience under your belt!

You can find this pattern in a Leisure Arts booklet called “In All Caps“.