The half double crochet stitch is one of the first crochet stitches taught to every crochet beginner. Easy to learn, the half double crochet (HDC) stitch works well with a lot of crochet projects.
Half double crochet is a beautiful crochet stitch. it’s simple but versatile. It is one of the basic crochet stitches that a beginner should master when learning how to crochet.
This step by step guide shows you how to crochet the HDC stitch and tips for working with half double crochet.
Beginners who have already mastered single crochet and double crochet would do well to try this stitch next.
What is a half double ccrochet?
The half double crochet stitch is a crochet stitch taller than a single crochet stitch, yet shorter than double crochet stitch.
This however is noted differently based on the pattern terminology. In the US, it’s called half-double crochet. In the UK, it’s called half-treble crochet.
Half double crochet makes a solid crocheted fabric without holes. It’s a simple stitch that’s well suited to a wide variety of crochet projects, like baby blankets, pillows, scarves, and warm sweaters.
How to half double crochet (hdc)
1. The materials
If you are working with a crochet pattern, the pattern will tell you the exact materials needed. But
If you aren’t working from a pattern, choose your yarn then look at the yarn label to find out what hook size you need for that yarn. Beginners may want to try a worsted weight yarn and size H (5.00mm) crochet hook as a good starting point.
2. Chain
First of all, make a foundation chain to work the first half double crochet row. You can crochet a foundation chain, also known as a starting chain, of any length. If you have a referencing crochet pattern, then be sure to follow the required number of chains
3. Yarn Over (YO)
To begin working the hdc, work the first half double crochet into the foundation chain you will crochet into the chain that is three chains away from your hook.
4.Insert crochet hook in next stitch
Put the tip of the hook under both of the loops at the top of the stitch. Yarn over and insert the crochet hook into the stitch.
5. Yarn over and pull through
Yarn over again and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have three loops on the hook.
6. Yarn over and pull through all three loops
Yarn over one more time and pull the yarn through all three loops.
That completes the first half double crochet stitch.
7. Repeat
Repeat the steps for each HDC stitch , working across the row of foundation chain and across all the stitches of ethe row.
8. To start new row
To add another row of half-double crochet, chain 2 or 1 and turn your work. You will now be looking at the backside of your swatch.
Note: Some patterns will count the turning chain as a stitch; others will not. Make sure to read the pattern introduction carefully to know what the pattern designer intends for you to do. But qwhen you chain 1, it does not count as a stitch.
Increasing and Decreasing half double crochet
1. Increasing
To increase, all you do is make an extra half double crochet stitch where you’ve already made one. Crochet patterns tell you how or where to do this. For example, to increase at the end of the row, crochet two HDC stitches in the final stitch instead of just the one you would usually work.
2. Decreasing
The decrease stitch works over two subsequent stitches to bring the two stitches together at the top into one stitch. You might see it abbreviated as hdc2tog (half double crochet two together) or dec hdc (decrease half double crochet).
Some patterns will have you skip a stitch in order to decrease, but making two two stitches one is better as this reduces holes in your work.
3. Invisible decrease
Like i said earlier, there are multiple ways to decrease a hdc stitch. But you want it to be as invisible as possible. That is why i am going to teach you the invisible stitch.
- Yarn over and insert your hook in the front loop of the stitch. (Do not pull up a loop.)
- Do not yarn over, insert your hook through the front loop of the next stitch. (4 loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. (You should now have 3 loops on the hook.)
- Yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the hook.
Types Of hdc stitches
Incase you thought we were done witht he stitch, we are not. There are so many ways you can work the hdc stitch.
1. Half double crochet in the 3rd loop
You can also crochet half double crochet stitches in the 3rd loop. This gives the fabric a braided, knit-like appearance.
The 3rd loop is the horizontal bar that forms at the back of each HDC stitch. It is formed by the yarn over (YO) that you make at the beginning of the HDC stitch.
When crocheting in rows, you’ll see the 3rd loop once you turn the work to the wrong side to work the next row. With the wrong side of the work facing you, you’ll find the 3rd loop in front of and below the front loop.
When crocheting in the round, you’ll see the 3rd loop on the wrong side of the piece. To find it, tilt the work towards you and look behind and under the back loop.
2. Half double crochet in the back loop
This stitch is very common with cardigans, sweaters and blankets. You may have seen it as hdc BLO. BLO stands for back loop only.
To make HDC BLO, you’ll make the HDC as normal – the only thing that changes is where you’ll insert your hook. Instead of inserting the hook under both the front and back loops of each stitch, you’ll insert the hook under the back loop only.
This simple difference will totally change the look of the finished swatch, giving it a ribbed, knit-look appearance.
3. Camel Stitch
Camel stitch refers to making half-double crochet stitches in the 3rd loop when working in the round. You’ll remember that when you crochet in the round, you’ll find the 3rd loop behind the back loop, toward the wrong side.
4. Half double stip stitch
This is the combination of half double crochet and the slip stitch together.
- Yarn over
- isert the crochet hook into the BLO
- Pull up a loop so you have three loops on your crochet hook
- Slip stitch to finish the row. (You do not need to yarn over again)
For a detaield demostration, read this article
How to fasten off
After the last stitch, cut the yarn, leaving a 6 inch yarn tail. Lift the hook straight up, pulling the yarn tail through the last stitch. Pull the yarn tail to tighten the last stitch. Weave in the yarn ends with a tapestry needle.
Projects to make with half double crochet (HDC)
So…what now?
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