CROCHET Crochet cmeCrochet chain kd 1 min read

Master Foundation Double Crochet (Fdc)

Join us at Maker Festivals Colorado, the ultimate crafting extravaganza in Loveland from April 10-13, 2024, where the beloved Yarn Fest evolves with an exciting addition of beads and jewelry artists!

A chainless foundation, such as foundation double crochet, is an alternative to creating a foundation chain. This technique creates your stitch and chain at the same time. This method produces a foundation row that is sized similarly to a regular row. Because this method eliminates the chain altogether, it makes your foundation row and the rest of the rows and stitches in your project more evenly aligned. Another benefit of this technique is that it helps to maintain even tension from the very first stitch to the last.

This type of stitch is called the foundation double crochet stitch, or the Fdc crochet stitch. Our foundation double crochet instructions will help you master this technique so that you can create clean, even stitches in a wide range of projects. This method is particularly ideal for projects with a long foundation row and creates a clean-looking finish compared with the traditional foundation chain.

How to Work Foundation Double Crochet (Fdc):

  1. Chain 3. Yarn over, insert hook in 3rd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook) (Figure 1).
  2. Yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made—shaded) (Figure 2).
  3. Yarn over and draw through 2 loops—Figure 3.
  4. 2 times—1 foundation double crochet with chain at bottom (Figure 4).
  5. *Yarn over, insert hook under the 2 loops of the chain at the bottom of the stitch just made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook) (Figure 5).
  6. Yarn over and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), (yarn over and draw through 2 loops) 2 times (Figure 6).
  7. Repeat from the *.

Here are all of those steps rounded up in one graphic with illustrations:

Learn how to do the foundation double crochet (Fdc)

Interweave patterns will use this symbol for fdc:

Foundation double crochet symbol

Foundation Double Crochet Video:


Interweave is on hand to help you master all of the most common and unconventional crochet stitches. Explore all of our crochet articles for more tutorials, guides and tips from the best crochet crafters around! And don’t forget to download our free crochet patterns to put your skills to good use!


Practice the fdc stitch with these amazing products:

  • Sale!

    Lily Chin Digital Video Workshop Video Collection

    $103.96

  • Plaited Hat Crochet Pattern Download

    $7.99

You can also find instructions in Interweave’s glossary for similar techniques including:

Join the Conversation!

Choose the membership you’d like to join​

Bead & Jewelry

Annual Charter Membership â€‹

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

Interweave Knits

Annual Charter Membership â€‹

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects should be ​ ($2,000+ value)
  • 100 Member exclusive ​ should be ($800+ value)
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits

The membership you’d like to join​

Interweave Knits

Annual Charter Membership â€‹

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects – Fresh for Each Season ($1,400 value)​
  • 100 Member Exclusive Projects ($500 value)​​​
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits

The membership you’d like to join​

Bead & Jewelry

Annual Charter Membership â€‹

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects – Fresh for Each Season ($2,000 value)​
  • 100 Member Exclusive Projects ($800+​ value)​​​
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits

The membership you’d like to join​

Interweave Knits

Annual Charter Membership â€‹

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects – Fresh for Each Season ($1,400 value)​
  • 100 Member Exclusive Projects ($500 value)​​​
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits