3 Double Crochet Cluster (3dcCl)

Hi friends!

I am excited to share one of my favorite stitches with you today, the 3 Double Crochet Cluster (3dcCl)!

This tutorial was originally published in March of 2020, but I recently revisited it because I knew it could be better. I’ve added clearer step-by-step photos, a brand new video, and also included instructions for working the stitch in both rows and rounds. If you tried this before, I hope you’ll find this updated version even easier to follow!

What is a Cluster Stitch?

Cluster stitches are groups of partially-worked stitches, that are joined together at the top in a single final pull-through. The partial stitches are made just like the standard stitch but stop just before the final pull-through-2. You can create clusters with any stitch using the same method of partial stitches and alter how they look by varying the number of partial stitches made.

Partial Stitch: start the same as the standard stitch but stop before the final pull-through-2
Cluster: a specified number of partial stitches joined together at the top

How to Crochet the 3 Double Crochet Cluster

In this tutorial, I’m focusing on the 3 Double Crochet Cluster, which means I’ll be making three partially-worked double crochets before my final pull-through. As you might suspect, the number in front of that will indicate just how many partially-worked double crochets are to be made before the final pull-through. So you can vary that number to make your clusters smaller or larger as desired, the method is the same.

This tutorial uses the following stitches and abbreviations:

• Chain (ch)
• Yarn Over (yo)
• Skip (sk)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Chain Space (ch sp)
• Cluster (Cl)

Working in Flat Turned Rows

When you work the 3dcCl stitch flat, you’ll need a set-up row of some kind. In this tutorial, I’m using a set-up row of single crochet and chain spaces, but you can do what suits you. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to start with a multiple of 2+1 stitches + however many turning chains you need for your set up row, in my case, just one.

Traditionally, you begin and end each cluster row with a double crochet. This creates gaps at the end of the rows that I’m not a huge fan of (see below). In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to avoid those gaps by using a partial cluster – a 2 double crochet cluster. You’ll start and end each row with a partial cluster and separate clusters with chain stitches as you work across the row.

Rules of Thumb
1. You’ll alternate a set-up row with your cluster row.
2. You’ll always begin and end each row with a partial cluster.
3. You’ll always chain 1 and skip 1 between clusters.

For the swatch below, I’ve worked up 16 chains (15 for my stitch multiple and 1 for my turning chain) and worked my set-up row as follows:

Set-Up Row: sc in 2nd ch from hook, *sc next, ch 1, sk 1, repeat from * until 2 stitches remain, sc in last 2 stitches.

Working in Rounds

Working the 3dcCl stitch in the round is very similar to working it in rows, but differs from its flat variation in a couple of ways. First, you’ll still need a set-up round of some kind, but this time in a multiple of 2 stitches. Additionally, we are going to use the beginning chain-2 as a partial double crochet again, but this time it will be for a full 3 double crochet cluster and not a partial cluster.

Rules of Thumb
1. You’ll alternate a set-up round with your cluster round.
2. You’ll always chain 1 and skip 1 between clusters.

In this tutorial, I started with a foundation of 28 foundation single crochets (Fsc) – see that tutorial here – then I worked a set-up round of single crochet and chain spaces again. My set-up row is worked as follows:

Set-up Round: ch 2 (counts as the first ch-1 sp), sk 1 (the first stitch), sc next, ch 1, sk 1, repeat from * until 1 st remains, sc in last, sl st to the first ch-1 sp at the beginning of the round to join.

Yay! Congrats on learning a new stitch! It’s one of my personal favorites, and I hope you enjoy using it in your future makes.

Happy yarning!

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