This actually isn’t new, but it might be new to you. It’s called a linked double crochet.
This stitch is for anyone who doesn’t like the gaps in between normal double crochet stitches but love how fast it works up (compared with the more dense single crochet).
The linked double crochet does exactly what it’s called. It links each previous double crochet with the next to create a completely closed (yet surprisingly thin) fabric.
As you can see in the photo above the linked double crochet is completely closed in between the stitches. The resulting fabric is just as tall as a normal swatch of double crochet and requires just a change in one step so it will work up just as fast as regular double crochet.
This stitch can be used wherever you would normally use double crochet but want a closed fabric. I don’t say denser fabric because the resulting fabric is about the same thickness as regular double crochet. This stitch pulls each of the double crochets apart to meet each other rather than bulking them up to close the gaps. It’s really a cool stitch that is under utilized.
Check out the video below on how to work it and lefties can click here to see their version.
