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  • What Does “dc2tog” Mean in Crochet? When to Use It & Step-by-Step Guide For Beginners
By: May

Published:

February 4, 2025

Updated:

February 4, 2025
What does dc2tog mean in crochet

How to Work "dc2tog"
A Beginner’s Guide to This Essential Crochet  Stitch

If you've come across the term "dc2tog" in a crochet pattern and felt a bit confused, you're not alone! This abbreviation stands for "double crochet two together," a common decrease stitch used to shape projects by reducing the number of stitches in a row.

For this tutorial, I am using US crochet terms.

In UK crochet terms, a dc (double crochet) stitch is called a treble crochet (tr) stitch.

So, the dc2tog in US terms would be referred to as tr2tog in UK terms.

It can be a bit confusing since the names for stitches are different between US and UK terminology, but the techniques are the same! And I have a Free printable for you here that shows you the differences between US and UK Crochet Terms.

US vs. UK Crochet Terms & Symbols
Free Printable

US vs. UK Crochet Terms and Symbols free download

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You might come across the dc2tog abbreviation when you're working on hats, scarves, or garments, so mastering dc2tog is an essential skill that will help you create smooth decreases and beautiful designs.

CROCHET TERMINOLOGY & 
STITCH ABBREVIATIONS 

Free Printable

What is a Decrease in Crochet? (For Beginners)

If you haven't heard of decreases before, they are the technique used to combine two or more stitches into one, which helps shape your project. Decreases are often used to create curves, angles, and shaping in items like hats, amigurumi (crochet toys), garments, and accessories.

Think of it like this: if you start a row with 10 stitches and you decrease once, you’ll end up with 9 stitches instead of 10. This is useful when you want to narrow a piece, such as the top of a hat or the waist of a sweater.

There are different types of decreases, depending on the stitch you're using. For example:

  • Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog) – used in amigurumi and small projects,
  • Double Crochet Decrease (dc2tog) – used in garments, lacework, and structured designs.

Since this post is about dc2tog (double crochet two together), I’ll walk you through how to do it and when to use it!

I’ve used this stitch in my Simple Horse Ear Bonnet Crochet Pattern, where it helps shape the narrower front of the bonnet. 

horse wearing red bonnet

In this post, I'll walk you through what dc2tog means, how to crochet it step by step, and when to use it in your projects. Let’s dive in!

explaining how to work dc2tog crochet stitch

What Does dc2tog Mean?

The term dc2tog is a crochet abbreviation that stands for “double crochet two together.” Let’s break it down:

  • dc = Double Crochet – This is a basic crochet stitch that is taller than a single crochet.
  • 2tog = Two Together – This means you will be working two stitches as one, effectively decreasing the stitch count.

When you see dc2tog in a pattern, it means you will be crocheting two double crochet stitches together into one, reducing the total number of stitches in your row or round. This is commonly used for shaping projects, such as narrowing the top of a hat or forming curves in garments and accessories.

For example, if you start with 10 stitches in a row and you use dc2tog once, you will end up with 9 stitches because you’ve combined two stitches into one.

Now, let’s go through a step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet dc2tog!

How to Crochet dc2tog: Step-by-Step Guide

explaining how to work dc2tog crochet stitch

Step 1

dc2tog

Step 2

explaining how to work dc2tog

Step 3

explaining how to work dc2tog crochet stitch

Step 4

dc2tog

Step 5

  • Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into the first stitch, pull up a loop. (You should have 3 loops on your hook).
  • Step 2: Yarn over, pull through two loops. (2 loops on your hook - half-finished double crochet).
  • Step 3: Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop. (4 loops on your hook).
  • Step 4: Yarn over, pull through two loops. (3 loops on your hook)
  • Step 5: Yarn over, pull through all remaining loops on the hook.
  • You’ve completed one dc2tog!

Common Mistakes & Tips for Crocheting dc2tog

While dc2tog is a simple stitch, beginners may run into a few common issues. One mistake is leaving a noticeable gap between stitches, which happens if the tension is too loose. To prevent this, make sure to pull your yarn snugly after each step.

Another challenge is losing track of stitch counts, especially in patterns with multiple decreases. Using a stitch marker to mark each decrease can help you stay on track.

Also, some crocheters accidentally skip a stitch after completing a dc2tog, which can throw off the entire pattern. To avoid this, always double-check where your next stitch should go. If you're new to this stitch, practice on a small swatch before using it in a project—this will help you get comfortable with the technique before applying it to a larger piece.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Please do let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy hooking!

May


Disclaimer: Information in this crochet pattern is given for reference only. Even though I do my best to ensure all patterns have no mistakes, occasional errors may slip through.

No liability is accepted for variations in finished projects. Please get in touch with me at admin@startcrochet.com if you think there might be a mistake in the pattern or if you are unsure about how to interpret the instructions.

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© All rights for this crochet pattern design and photos are copyright and reserved to Start Crochet (May Shehab © 2024) . Copies and/or reproduction, translating, reselling or creating video tutorials of this pattern is a violation of the law. 

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About the Author 

May

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Hi. I'm May! Welcome to my Blog! Here you'll find easy crochet patterns, tutorials and simple crochet gift ideas you can offer your loved ones on special occasions.

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