Learn to Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch
Hi Everyone! I’m Ashley, the designer and maker behind The Loopy Lamb. I’m so excited to be invited back to the Clover blog to teach you all how to do the Half Double Crochet Stitch.
The half double crochet stitch is a basic crochet stitch that all beginners need to learn in order to crochet. The half double crochet stitch is used in a wide variety of projects. The half double crochet stitch, when written in crochet patterns will be abbreviated as HDC. At the end of this post, I’ll include some free crochet patterns that use the half double crochet stitch that you can use to practice your new skill.
Supplies You’ll Need to Follow Along With This Tutorial:
- Clover Amour Crochet Hook 5.5mm (Art. No 1048/I)
- A ball of worsted weight yarn (size 4) in any color. I’m using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice worsted weight yarn (size 4).
Abbreviations:
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- CH = Chain
- YO = Yarn Over
Creating a Slip Knot: Create a slip knot and place the loop onto your hook (see how to do a slip knot HERE).
Creating a Chain: Now we’re going to create a chain for us to work our half double crochet stitches into. This can be any length that you wish but for today’s tutorial, I want to have 12 stitches so I am going to create 13 chains.
Row 1: Wrap your yarn around the hook (referred to as a yarn over and abbreviated as YO in crochet patterns) and insert your hook into the third chain (CH) from the hook (remember not to count the loop on your hook as a chain). Wrap your yarn around the hook and pull the loop through the chain. You should have three chains on your hook. Yarn over hook and pull the yarn through all three loops on your hook. That’s your first half double crochet stitch (HDC).
Repeat this step in each of the chains you created. You should have 12 half double crochet stitches when you are finished. You count the stitches by counting the V’s at the top of your row and you would also count the 2 chains you skipped at the beginning as a HDC stitch.
Row 2: To start your second row, you will need to create a CH 2 to raise the yarn to the correct height. This CH 2 is called your turning chain. Turn your work so you will be working from right to left again. We will be working this row into the tops of the stitches from the first row.
Working into the second stitch (skipping the first), YO hook and insert your hook into the stitch making sure you’re working under both the loops of that “V”. Yarn over hook and pull the yarn through the stitch to the front of your work. You will have three loops on your hook. Yarn over hook and pull through all three loops on your hook. That’s your first half double crochet (HDC) of Row 2 created.
Continue this across your row until all stitches have been worked and you have 12 half crochet stitches completed.
To work consecutive rows: To work consecutive rows of half double crochet stitch, repeat the instructions for Row 2 until your work is the desired length.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are excited to get started learning more crochet stitches.
Patterns that use Half-Double Crochet:
- Sinfully Simple Unisex Scarf by Oombawka Design Crochet
- Moss Across Pillow by The Crafty Yogi
- Stria Gloves & Mittens by The Acorn Craft Shop
- Gigi Beanie by DeniMade
- Sweet Hugs Hat by Oombawka Design Crochet
- Astrid Scarf Pattern by DeniMade
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