In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to double crochet 4 stitches together. The dc4tog (known as the tr4tog, or treble crochet 4 stitches together, in UK terms) is decrease used in some crochet patterns.
There are several different techniques for decreasing and many different stitches to use for decreases, so if you are using a pattern, you may want to check if this decrease is the one for the project. Some decreases are made by skipping stitches, while others are formed by “stitching together.” This method is usually abbreviated as [stitch abbreviation]#tog where the stitch abbreviation indicates the stitch you will be using (such as single, double, half double, or treble/triple crochet), the number indicates the number of stitches the decrease is worked across, and together indicates a decrease.
The double crochet 4 stitches together decrease is not as common as other decreases but it’s helpful for some patterns. Remember that the more stitches you work over, the more loops you’ll have on your hook. You’ll want to keep your yarn over tension even and it’s better to be loose than tight for this stitch so you can pull the hook through all the loops at the end.
I’ll share the step-by-step photos in a moment, but for those of you looking for the written pattern for the dc4tog in US terms, here it is:
US Crochet Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- dc – double crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.
[Yo, insert hook in next st, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops] 4 times, yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook.
Remember that you’ll need four stitches to work this decrease across.
Now, let’s work that pattern out step by step!
Step 1: Yarn over.
Step 2: Insert your hook into the next stitch. You’ll now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 3: Yarn over.
Step 4: Draw up a loop. You’ll now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 5: Yarn over.
Step 6: Draw through 2 loops. You’ll now have 2 loops on your hook.
Step 7: Get ready to repeat steps 1 through 6 in the next stitch! Yarn over.
Step 8: Insert your hook into the next stitch. You’ll have 4 loops on the hook.
Step 9: Yarn over.
Step 10: Draw up a loop. You’ll have 4 loops on your hook.
Step 11: Yarn over.
Step 12: Draw through 2 loops. You’ll have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 13: Get ready to repeat steps 1 through 6 in the next stitch! Yarn over.
Step 14: Insert your hook into the next stitch. You’ll have 5 loops on the hook.
Step 15: Yarn over.
Step 16: Draw up a loop. You’ll have 5 loops on your hook.
Step 17: Yarn over.
Step 18: Draw through 2 loops. You’ll have 4 loops on your hook.
Step 19: Get ready to repeat steps 1 through 6 in the next stitch! Yarn over.
Step 20: Insert your hook into the next stitch. You’ll have 6 loops on the hook.
Step 21: Yarn over.
Step 22: Draw up a loop. You’ll have 6 loops on your hook.
Step 23: Yarn over.
Step 24: Draw through 2 loops. You’ll have 5 loops on your hook.
Step 25: Yarn over.
Step 26: Draw through all 5 loops on hook. You’ll have one loop left on your hook.
And, your dc4tog stitch is finished!
And, for those of you who’d like to read the double crochet 4 stitches together pattern in words rather than in abbreviations, here it is!
- Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
- Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
- Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
- Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
- Yarn over and draw through all 5 loops on hook.
You can find more of my crochet stitch tutorials on Tangi here.
