Linked Double Crochet (LDC) Stitch: How to Crochet Without Gaps

Linked Double Crochet (LDC or linked dc) is a simple structural modification of standard double crochet (dc) that eliminates the vertical gaps between tall stitch posts. Instead of starting the stitch with a free yarn over (yo) in the air, you insert your hook top-to-bottom under the horizontal middle bar of the stitch you just completed and pull up a loop, then pull up a second loop in the next stitch (3 loops on hook) and finish with [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice. That single horizontal link locks every post to its neighbor from side to side—giving you the full row height and speed of double crochet with the solid, opaque coverage of single crochet or Tunisian simple stitch.

US vs. UK Terminology Note: This tutorial uses standard US crochet terms. In UK crochet patterns, Linked Double Crochet (LDC) is called Linked Treble Crochet (LTR or linked tr). For a full chart of regional equivalents, see our US vs. UK crochet terms guide.

Quick Reference: Linked Double Crochet (LDC)

Standard Double Crochet vs. Linked Double Crochet (DC vs. LDC)

Why do standard double crochet rows have gaps in the first place? When you begin a standard dc with a yarn over on your hook, that wrap forms a diagonal strand that only touches the previous stitch at the very top V-loop—leaving the middle of the tall posts completely unconnected.

By replacing that airborne yarn over with a loop drawn through the horizontal center bar of the adjacent post, LDC zips the middle of every stitch shut.

How to Crochet Linked Double Crochet (LDC) Step by Step

Because every LDC relies on the stitch to its right (or left, if crocheting left-handed) for its first loop, you use a slightly different setup on the very first stitch of a row (beg ldc) than on all remaining stitches across the row.

Part 1: Working the First Row into a Foundation Chain (beg ldc)

1. Chain Your Desired Width + 2: For a 14-stitch practice swatch, chain 16 (14 + 2). The last 3 chains act as your initial ch-3 turning height.
2. Pull Up Loop 1 (The Link): Insert your hook into the 2nd chain from the hook (working under the top loop or back bump), yarn over, and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). This replaces the yarn over of a standard double crochet.
3. Pull Up Loop 2 (The Base): Insert your hook into the 4th chain from the hook (skipping the 3rd chain), yarn over, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
4. Complete the First Stitch (beg ldc): Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook (2 loops remain). Yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops (1 loop remains). You have completed your Beginning Linked Double Crochet (beg ldc)—which counts as two linked stitches (the turning chain plus the first stitch).

Part 2: Working Linked Double Crochet (LDC) Across the Row

Once your first stitch is complete, look at the front of the post you just made. Halfway up the post, you will see a distinct horizontal bar running diagonally/horizontally across the stem.

1. Insert Hook Under the Horizontal Middle Bar: Do not yarn over. Instead, insert your hook from top to bottom (or right to left) underneath that horizontal middle bar on the side of the stitch you just finished.
2. Yarn Over and Pull Up a Loop: Yarn over and draw a loop through the horizontal bar (2 loops on hook).
3. Insert Hook into the Next Stitch: Insert your hook under both top V-loops of the next stitch (or next foundation chain), yarn over, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
4. Yarn Over, Pull Through 2 Loops (Twice):
   • Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook (2 loops remain).
   • Yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops (1 loop remains).
5. Repeat Across the Row: Repeat Steps 1–4 in every stitch across the row.

Part 3: Starting Row 2 and Subsequent Turned Rows

1. At the end of Row 1, turn your work and chain 3 (ch 3).
2. Work a Beginning Linked Double Crochet (beg ldc):
   • Insert your hook into the 2nd chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
   • Insert your hook into the first stitch (or the second stitch if your pattern counts the ch 3 as a standalone stitch—just be consistent at the end of the row!), yarn over, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
   • [Yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.
3. Continue working standard ldc across every stitch to the end of the row.

Pro Tip for Ultra-Clean Edges: Many crocheters prefer starting each row with ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), inserting the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook to pull up a loop, and then inserting into the very first stitch at the base of the chain to complete the beg ldc. That way, your beg ldc sits directly on top of Stitch #1, and you never have to wrestle with working into the tight top of a turning chain at the end of the next row.

How to Increase and Decrease in Linked Double Crochet

Shaping garment armholes, bag gussets, or amigurumi panels in LDC is effortless once you know where to pick up the linking bar:

How to Increase (ldc inc — 2 LDC in the Same Stitch)

1. Work 1 regular ldc into the target stitch.
2. To work the second ldc of the increase, insert your hook under the horizontal middle bar of the ldc you just made, yarn over, and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
3. Insert your hook into the exact same base stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
4. [Yo, pull through 2 loops] twice. Both stitches in the increase are now linked to each other with zero pinhole at the base!

How to Decrease (ldc2tog — Linked Double Crochet 2 Together)

Unlike a standard dc2tog decrease, an ldc2tog links both legs together so the decrease stays completely solid:

1. Insert hook under the horizontal middle bar of the previous stitch, yo, and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
2. Insert hook into the next stitch, yo, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
3. Yo and pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain — first leg half-closed).
4. Instead of yarning over for the second leg, insert your hook under the horizontal middle bar of the first leg you just partially made, yo, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
5. Insert hook into the following stitch, yo, and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
6. Yo and pull through 2 loops (3 loops remain).
7. Yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook to close the gap-free decrease.

The Linked Stitch Family: LHDC, LDC, and LTR

Once you understand how the horizontal bar replaces a yarn over, you can apply the exact same linking principle to shorter or taller stitches:

• Linked Half Double Crochet (LHDC): Pull up a loop in the diagonal/horizontal bar of the previous half double crochet, pull up a loop in the next stitch (3 loops on hook), and yo, pull through all 3 loops. Creates a super-dense canvas ideal for rug borders and structured brims.
• Linked Double Crochet (LDC): Uses 1 horizontal bar at mid-height (3 loops on hook, [yo, pull through 2] twice). The sweet spot for speed, height, and opacity.
• Linked Treble Crochet (LTR): Because a treble crochet (tr) starts with 2 yarn overs, a Linked Treble picks up 2 horizontal bars down the side of the previous post (4 loops on hook after pulling up a loop in the base stitch, then [yo, pull through 2] 3 times).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)