Even edges

Working in rows with double crochet stitches can leave you with some pretty weird & uneven looking edges.
First, I’ll go over the two most common methods for chaining & turning while working with double crochet stitches.

In this example, I’m using a size 4/worsted weight yarn with a 5mm crochet hook.
1. Chain 10. Starting in the third chain from the hook, make 8 double crochet stitches. Chain two & turn (8)
2. 8 dc, chain two & turn (8)
3. 8 dc (8)

As you can see, you’re left with two chains kind of floating at each side of the piece. The piece looks uneven because the “chain two” always ends up at the opposite end of each row.

Continuing from row three, the next most common method is:
Chain three & turn.
The chain three counts as the first double crochet stitch from here & throughout.
4. Skip the first stitch & double crochet in the next 7 stitches. Chain three & turn (8)
5. Skip the first stitch & dc in each stitch & top of chain three. Chain three & turn (8)
6. Skip the first stitch & dc in each stitch & top of chain three. (8)

So, as you can see, by using the “chain three counts as the first dc” method, you end up with large gaps in between the chain three & first double crochet stitch. In my opinion, this method looks worse than the chain two & turn method.

Okay - so how do we make even edges? Easy!

1. Chain 10. Starting in the third chain from the hook: 8 dc.
Now, draw up a loop about the same height as a double crochet stitch. Chain one & turn. (8)
2-5. 8 dc, draw up a loop, chain one & turn (8)
6. 8 dc (8)

As you can see, the end result looks much, much neater than both the chain two method & chain three method that are commonly used when working in rows with double crochet stitches! :)