Learn to Crochet Through Both Thicknesses

Two hands holding a double layered crochet piece and a crochet hook, crocheting through the edges of both layers. Text on the image reads: Learn to crochet through both thicknesses. Banana Moon Studio.

Sometimes a crochet pattern will tell you to “work through both thicknesses” in order to attach two pieces or sections of crochet together. This is pattern language for crocheting through two pieces or layers of crochet at the same time, usually to join them together.

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Why would I crochet through two layers?

In the photo above I am crocheting two small circles together around their edges to make a double-layered coaster. Sometimes crocheting through two layers at once is to join motifs into a blanket or other large project. Or it may be used to seam a sweater.

The crochet project in the pictures and videos here is Pennant Coasters. These are red, white, and blue double-thick coasters designed for patriotic holidays like The Fourth of July.

Double layered crochet coasters in red, white, and blue to look a little like flags. They sit on a blue and white floral table cloth with a jar of lemonade. Text on the image reads: Banana Moon Studio.

So how do you crochet through both thicknesses?

The exact layout of your two pieces while you crochet through them might vary a little depending on the pieces and the stitches you plan to use. In this case, I’m crocheting two circles together around their edges, so I’ll start with two circles, wrong sides together. The wrong side is the one you don’t want to have showing, like the inside of your t-shirt.

Whichever piece you want to have be the top of your double-layered creation, you’ll want to have that side facing you while you work. The edge stitches will look slightly nicer on the side facing you, so that’s why.

Since I’m working with circles, I can start anywhere along the edge. If I were using squares, I would probably begin in one corner.

With a slip knot on my crochet hook, I insert my hook through any stitch on the edge of one circle, and then through the edge stitch of the second circle right behind it. Then I yarn over, which means to wrap the yarn/thread around my hook. I pull that loop through both stitches at the same time, then I yarn over again and pull that through both loops on my hook. Now I’ve worked one single crochet stitch.

I’ll repeat this process all the way around the two circles, always working the stitches in order around both circles, without skipping any. It’s not very different than working through one piece in the usual fashion. The only differences are that, at the start of each stitch, you’ll go through edge stitches on both circles at the same time, and after that first yarnover, you’ll pull the loop through both stitches. After that, the stitch is completed as usual.

Crocheting through two layers video

Two hands holding a double layered crochet piece and a crochet hook, crocheting through the edges of both layers. A white banner with text reads: Learn to crochet through two layers. Banana Moon Studio. A red and white play button is centered on the image. — Click to watch it on YouTube

Like the look of the crochet hook I used here? This is a standard steel crochet hook with oven bake clay around the handle to thicken it. I made these myself by mixing a few colors of clay, rolling it into a long “snake,” and then wrapping that around the handle. Then I bake the clay and hook together on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Want to learn more crochet skills? Check out these tutorials!

Learn how to make and decrease the half double crochet stitch!

Let me teach you another way to join sections of crochet!

How do I crochet with two strands of yarn at once?

Will you show me how to crochet a hat?

That completes our tutorial learning to crochet through both thicknesses. What are you crocheting together? I’d love to see your project! You can share it on Instagram, making sure to tag me, or you can join my Facebook group and share it there. I’ll see it in either place.

Happy crocheting!