Half Double Crochet (hdc) – Beginner Tutorial

Half double crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches. It’s taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet, making it a great middle-ground stitch for hats, scarves, and bags. It creates a neat, slightly textured fabric that works up quickly.

Things you will need before following the tutorial:

• Yarn
• Crochet hook according to your yarn
• A foundation chain to practice on (you can start with 15 chains)

How to work a Half Double Crochet

Step 1: Yarn over first. Before you put your hook into the stitch, wrap the yarn over your hook once. This is the step beginners most often forget; it’s what makes this stitch different from a single crochet.

Step 2: Insert your hook. Push your hook into the next stitch (or chain space). You’re going under both loops of the stitch unless your pattern says otherwise.

Step 3: Pull up a loop. Yarn over again and draw the yarn back through the stitch. You now have 3 loops sitting on your hook.

Step 4: Pull through all 3 loops. Yarn over one final time and pull through all 3 loops at once. You have successfully made a half double crochet!

Note: That “all 3 at once” motion is the signature of this stitch. If you pull through only 2 loops, you’ll accidentally make a double crochet instead.

Common beginner mistakes

• Skipping the yarn-over before inserting the hook turns your hdc into a single crochet.
• Pulling through in two steps instead of one; take it slow and make sure all 3 loops come off together.
• Tension is too tight; the hdc fabric should feel slightly stretchy. If your hook is hard to pull through, loosen your grip on the yarn a little.

Pattern Notes for Half Double Crochet

Abbreviation: hdc (US) | htr (half treble, UK)

Stitch height: counts as 2 chains when turning

Turning chain: Chain 2 at the end of the row before turning. Note that many patterns do not count the turning chain as a stitch in hdc; always check your pattern’s notes.

The third loop: On the back of every hdc stitch, there’s a third visible loop. Working into this loop only creates a ribbed texture; useful for cuffs, hat brims, and bag handles. Your pattern will specify if this technique is needed.

Right side vs. wrong side: The “bump” of the hdc stitch typically sits on the wrong side of the fabric. If you’re working in the round, your fabric will look consistent throughout. In flat rows, flip your work at each turning chain.

Stitch count check: At the end of every row, count your stitches. It’s easy to accidentally add or lose a stitch in hdc rows because the turning chain can be mistaken for a stitch.

 

Want to know more?

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