This is the way I figured out to increase the solidity of my crochet work when I'm working with double crochets. I change some or nearly all to decrease dc. This sounds odd, I know. Using a decrease stitch to increase the solidity of your work, but it works.
The first picture below is a plain double crochet swatch. Chain 12, turn, and place 1 dc in 3rd chain from hook and each chain across. Then row 2 thru 5 is ch 2, turn, 1 dc in each dc.This next picture is a swatch with the same number of chains. Then in the first row do 1 dec dc in chain 3 and 4, dc in chain 4, dec dc in chain 5 & 6, dc in chain 6, dec dc in chain 7 & 8, dc in chain 8. chain 2 and turn. Same number of stitches as swatch 1, thicker work.
And for even MORE solid work, you can use this. Again, start with chain 12, turn, in chain 3 and 4 from hook, make dec dc, in chain 4 and 5 make dec dc, in chain 5 and 6, make dec dc, all the way to the end, with a plain dc in the last chain also. You have 9 dec dc and 1 dc.
When working these swatches I found that it does increase the size of the swatch VERY slightly, maybe the width of 1 stitch. But on the completely items I have made, I laid together 2 items made with the same pattern and yarn and there was no difference I could see in the sizes of either item. I am making baby items for charity.
I hope this helps someone with their crochet work.Enjoy!
