Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog)
Turn 3 stitches into 1 with the Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog) decrease! This standard double decrease starts with 3 partial double crochet stitches, and then finishes them all together as one.
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Centered Double Decrease
The double crochet 3 together is a double decrease because it takes 3 stitches and turns them into 1 stitch. First, partially work all 3 stitches, leaving the top of the stitch unfinished. Then, finish all three together as one in the final step.
This makes a centered decrease, with the top of the stitch resting directly above the second of the 3 stitches.
How to Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog)
Identify the base stitches/spaces
First, identify the 3 stitches or spaces you are working into. In this example I am working into 3 double crochet stitches on the previous row, but you can work into any type of stitch or space you like. They don’t have to be next to each other, or even in the same row. Anywhere you can put your hook can be one “leg” of the dc3tog.
If you are using a more complicated arrangement of 3 locations, you may find it helpful to mark each one with a stitch marker so that it is easier to find later.
Make the Posts
Begin just like you would for a normal double crochet. Place the working yarn over the hook (yarn over), insert the hook into the first stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop. Then yarn over and pull through 2 loops on your hook.
You should now have 2 loops on your hook, and 1 bottom half (post) of a double crochet in your first stitch/space.
Repeat this process in each of the other 2 locations, leaving an additional loop on your hook at the end of each post.
You should now have 3 posts, and 4 loops on your hook.
Finish the dc3tog
To turn these 3 posts into one stitch, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops at once.
3-Double Crochet Cluster
A dc3tog is the same thing as a 3-double crochet cluster (3-dc cl). When it is used to decrease stitches for shaping, it is usually referred to as a dc3tog. When it is used as a decorative element, it is more often referred to as a 3-dc cl.
In this example, there is a chain space on either side of the cluster. This adds 2 chains in place of the 2 decreased stitches, so the total stitch count remains the same.
Alternative Double Decrease
The double crochet 3 together is perfect for centered shaping, where you want to pull stitches in from both sides, toward the middle. Sometimes though, particularly when working at the ends of rows, you may want a more angled and less bulky decrease. For those occasions, try this alternative double dc decrease instead!
Beyond 3
You can use this same technique to double-crochet any number of stitches together. Work the post of each stitch, leaving the last loop on your hook. Then finish them all together at the end, by pulling through all remaining loops.
This is a handy tool for gathering stitches together or to create decorative elements. Bavarian stitch, for example, uses a dc8tog (or 8-dc cl) to form the bottom of its characteristic diamond shapes. In this case, the cluster is worked around the posts of stitches, rather than into the tops of the stitches. Check it out in this Bavarian Stitch tutorial!
Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog) Video Tutorial
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14 Comments
Tammy Spencer
I know how to double crochet 3 together. But where I am having trouble is double crochet 3 together twice. The pattern say that does not say go to the next stich and repeat. Can you help me
Pia Thadani
sure! Which pattern are you looking at?
Dc3tog twice means to work a dc3tog over three stitches, then work another dc3tog over the next 3 stitches.
Mabel Green
How do l crochet the next line from Dc3tog twice so that l do not lose the stitches crocheted together please.
THANKS
Mabel.Green
Pia Thadani
to Dc3tog twice, you just repeat the same steps again. After the first dc3tog, you will have just one loop on the hook like you did at the beginning – so start from the top and do the same thing over the next 3 stitches as well. To work the next row, you treat the dc3tog as one stitch, and work into the top of it.
Pia Thadani
oh, wait, do you mean you want to keep the same stitch count and not decrease stitches? To do that, on the next row work 3 stitches into each dc3tog, then you’ll be back up to the same stitch count 🙂
connie
thank you very much, my book was not very clear
Pia Thadani
You’re welcome! I’m glad it helped 🙂
Melissa Q
This was super helpful! Thank you!
Pia Thadani
Yay! I’m glad it helped 🙂
Charlie B
Thank you- this helped a ton for the blanket I’m working on!
Also, I really like whatever yarn you’re using for the tutorials. What brand and variety is it? The stitches look so well defined.
Pia Thadani
Yay! And if I remember correctly, it was Cascade Avalon, left over from my Gumpdrops sweater in the book Bold Baby Crochet: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gumdrops-pullover
haylie
hi , I’m crocheting a baby blanket. I’m reading off a website and there is no video to show how to do it, I’ve come across a stitch pattern I’m not aware of. I know how to 2dc together but the book say dc6tog. so does that mean I do that in 6 stitches? It does not look like what she does that in the picture. If you understand what this term mean, please help me out :))
Pia Thadani
Without any other information to go on, yes a DC six together would be the same thing but over six stitches.
(Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook) 6 times, Then yarn over and pull through all the loops.
haylie
alright, thank you so much. I will give it go! Have a nice day:))