How To Foundation Double Crochet | Video Tutorial And 1-Hour Halloween Project

This video tutorial teaches the Foundation Double Crochet (fdc), a useful crochet stitch for starting projects with long chains. It also features a 1-hour beginner project for a Halloween Mummy Soap Dispenser.

Let’s face it, starting chains, especially on long projects or large item, are a pain.

Have you ever:

• Chained the wrong amount and had to tear out either chains or stitches to correct it after the first row?
• Starting chain on a blanket that is tighter than the rest of the blanket?

What if you could go right into that first row of dc stitches without chaining?

If your pattern starts with a row of dc, you can use this stitch to skip the starting chain entirely, giving you a stretchy, even, easy-to-count row of dc to start your project.

This technique is also a great way to start a Waffle Stitch Blanket!

Tutorial originally published 2019. Updated 2026.

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The foundation double crochet is often abbreviated “fdc” in US terms or “ftr” in UK terms. It is also sometimes called the “chainless dc” or “chainless foundation dc.”

How To Foundation Double Crochet (fdc) Video Tutorial

This tutorial features Red Heart With Love yarn and is done with a size H (5.00mm) Furls Streamline Andromeda hook.

Foundation Double Crochet: Step By Step

1. Chain 4.
2. Yarn over, insert hook into 4th ch from hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through one loop on hook. (Base “chain” of stitch made)
3. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.
4. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.

Keep practicing and you will have it down in no time! 

Show off your new skills with this easy, one-hour Halloween pattern!

Mummy Soap Dispenser Pattern

Make this simple mummy mason jar soap dispenser by simply creating a long strip of foundation dc.

Supplies:

• 1 pint mason jar
• Mason Jar Soap dispenser lid
• Long strip of foundation dc (longer than 24 inches), ends woven in.
• 2 large googly eyes
• Tacky glue

Instructions

1. Glue googly eyes to mason jar.
2. Wrap foundation dc strip around the jar, over and under the eyes, and glue the ends to the back side of the jar.
3. Fill with your favorite liquid soap.
4. Assemble soap dispenser lid and screw it on.

More Fast Patterns For You!

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All Beginner Crochet Patterns

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Halloween Decorations Pattern Round Up

I’d love to see you new stitches! Take a picture and upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #hookedbykati or tag me directly with @hookedbykati. Your beautiful stitch work could be featured in our weekly newsletter!

Have more questions? I’m always here to help! 

Yarn on, 

Kati

Kati Brown

Kati is a crochet pattern designer, dragon obsessive, and certified geek who has been turning yarn into fantasy creatures since 2016. Her patterns lean heavily toward dragons, fantasy beasts, and whatever her brain decides is a good idea at 2am. She is proudly anti-AI crochet and very pro-finishing-your-WIPs (she’s working on it). When she’s not crocheting something with too many horns, she’s probably watching something nerdy or playing dog agility with her two American Hairless Terriers. Want to work together or just say hi? Contact her here.