Crossed Double Crochet Tutorial

Hello there!

Today, I want to teach you how to work the crossed double crochet (Xdc) in BOTH rows and rounds! It’s slightly different getting started depending on whether you’re working in rows or in the round. It looks more difficult than it is. If you can double crochet, you can work this stitch!

The crossed double crochet works in pairs of double crochet, so the stitch multiple, regardless of whether you’re working in rows or in the round, will always be 2. You’ll need an even number of stitches to work your crossed pairs over. The examples below use a foundation of standard double crochets worked in an even number.

This tutorial uses the following stitches and abbreviations:

• Chain (ch)
• Skip (sk)
• Double Crochet (dc)
• Slip Stitch (sl st)
• Crossed Double Crochet (Xdc)

Working in Flat Turned Rows

When you work the crossed double crochet flat, you’ll need to begin and end your rows with a double crochet. Again, make sure you have an even number of stitches to work over before getting started. The sample below uses a swatch of 16 stitches.

Notice how the stitches slant opposite each other as you alternate rows. That’s due to turning your work. I just love the visual interest this creates!

Working in the Round

Beginning this stitch in the round is a little fiddly because you need a double crochet to reach the height for the round but you don’t want a random double crochet at the seam of your work throwing off the whole aesthetic. So you will work the first crossed double crochet just a bit differently so that it blends seamlessly with the rest of your stitches, then you’ll finish the round using the same steps as above.

You will still need that even number of stitches, so make sure you’ve got a multiple of two! The sample below uses 24 stitches.

What you’ll notice about your crossed pairs when working in the round like this is that the pairs are nested or slightly offset as you alternate rounds. If you like this look, then great! Carry on, my friend!

But what if you need to work in the round but want the stacked look achieved when working in flat turned rows? Well then, friend, work in turned rounds! Use the same steps as above, but now you’ll turn your work after each round.

Notice how the Xdc stitches are stacked now and slant opposite each other now just like when you worked in rows. That’s due to turning your work!

Video Tutorial

If you want to see this stitch in action, I’ve recorded a video tutorial for you as well!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If there’s a stitch you’d like to see me make a tutorial for, let me know in the comments below!

Until next time!

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