The half double crochet stitch is one of the most versatile and commonly used stitches in crochet. This stitch can be worked into various projects, from blankets and afghans to hats and sweaters. The half double crochet is also a great stitch for beginners, as it is relatively easy to learn and work.
To work the half double crochet stitch, start by chaining two stitches. Then, insert your hook into the third chain from the hook. Next, yarn over and draw up a loop. You should now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over and draw through all three loops to complete the stitch. To work additional half double crochet stitches, insert your hook into the next chain or space and repeat the above steps.
When worked into a fabric, the half-double crochet stitch creates a dense yet pliable fabric that is great for various projects. This stitch can also be performed in various ways to create different effects. For example, you can work the half-double crochet stitch into the back loop only or the front loop only to create textured fabrics. You can also perform this stitch in multiples of two to create an open, lacy fabric.
Whether you are just learning to crochet or are looking for a versatile and easy-to-work stitch, the half double crochet is a great choice!
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Half double crochet step by step
We’ll start with a foundation chain. After making the required number on the chain, insert the hook into the third chain from the hook.
Now wrap the yarn over the hook (yarn over) and pull it through the loop. Once you have three loops on your hook, yarn over once again.
Now pull the hook along with the yarn through all these three loops.
And this is how you make half-double crochet. Now once again, yarn over and insert the hook in the next chain.
Yarn over and pull up a loop. Now you have three loops in your hook. Yarn over once again and pull through all these three loops.
Now just like this, I’ll make the entire row. I’ll chain two and flip the work to begin the next row.
I’ll crochet half double crochet from the first chain just like I’ve shown you before. This is so simple and will soon become effortless for you too. Keep on crocheting, knowing that Craftbuds got your back in this crochet journey.
What is a half-double crochet stitch?
Half double crochet is one of the basic stitches of crochet. In simple words, we can say that half double crochet is a step further from Single crochet. The main difference between single crochet and half double crochet is their texture and height.
After half double crochet, we have double crochet, and again we can say that double crochet is a step further from half double crochet. Here, we get one main difference between the two stitches which is height. The texture is pretty much the same.
Front post half double crochet
This stitch is worked around the posts of stitches on a previous row, rather than through the top loops. It’s an excellent way to add texture to your work and can be used to create patterns and designs.
To work this stitch, yo (yarn over) and insert your hook from front to back around the post of the st on the row below. Yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through all three loops on hook. That’s it!
To find the post of the stitch, you have to stretch the fabric around the stitch from both sides. Now grab your hook and make chain two.
After you’ve made chain two, now yarn over and insert the hook from one side of the bar and from behind the bar and into the other side’s opening. (Shown in pictures)
After this, you’ll yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all the three loops. Now you’re all set to complete that HDC.
Now to make another front post half double crochet, yarn over and insert the hook from the side of the bar, behind the bar, and onto the other opening and pull up a loop.
Once you have three loops on your crochet hook, yarn over and pull through all the three loops. Just like this, you can crochet the entire row. And when you want to make another row start it with chain two and repeat the process.
Half double crochet stitch count
Counting stitches can be overwhelming when beginning your journey, but Craftbuds got your back. In the picture below, you can count the stitches very quickly. In the beginning, we have the two chains we made to start the row.
Now counting those chains as half-double crochet sometimes depends on our pattern. If it says the two chains act as an HDC, then you count it as a stitch, and if the pattern says that the two chains aren’t considered as the HDC, then you won’t count it either at the beginning or at the end.
Here I’m not considering these chains as the first HDC, so I’ll skip it and move on to the next stitch. From there, you can easily count the stitches, as you can see in the picture below, where each stitch is a separate bar that is quite visible.
In case it’s not visible, you can stretch the fabric a bit from the sides and then you’ll be able to see the stitches. That way, the stitches will be visible, and you’ll be able to count them.
I have videos, demonstrating how you can count the stitches of HDC, you can check that out for more visual guidance.
Variations of Half Double crochet
Hello crochet lovers, did you know you could create numerous textures only from one stitch? Today we’re talking about half double crochet so let’s begin with my favorite stitch;
Herringbone stitch
To make a herringbone stitch, which is a variation of half double crochet, all you need to do is start the row with chain two, now yarn over and insert the hook into the first stitch and pull up a loop.
Now you see the last loop right beside the hook, pull that loop through the loop next to it, just like in the picture below.
Once you end up with two loops in the hook, yarn over and pull through both of these loops.
And voila, you just made a herringbone stitch.
The next stitch on the list is the favorite of those who love beanies, and come on, who doesn’t love a cozy beanie.
Ribbing stitch
To make ribbing stitches first, you need to know what a front loop is and what a back loop is. You can see the top part of a stitch; it looks like a sideways v (<). Here you can see that the loop facing you is the front loop, and the loop on the other side is called the back loop.
To make ribbing stitches, we must work our half-double crochet in the back loops only. You have to make half double crochet in the back loops only, whether you’re on the right side or the wrong side.
So chain two, yarn over, insert the hook in the first back loop, and pull up a loop. You’ll have three loops in your hook.
Now yarn over and pull through all the three loops. This is how you’ll make ribbing stitches. It’s all regular HDC but in the back loop and you’ll end up with a whole new texture on your fabric.
The very last stitch on this list is the horizontal bar, and you’ll shortly know why. You have to know what a front and back loop is for this stitch because we’re talking beyond them now.
In this stitch, we’ll be working in the third loop.
In the picture above, you can see the demonstration of the third loop. Now pay attention as I’m not looking at the top of the stitch here, the fabric is lying, and its side is in front of you.
Right beneath the front loop, you’ll see the third loop, and for the horizontal bar, this third loop is our target. So let’s begin with chain two. Yarn over and insert the hook in the third loop as demonstrated.
Now yarn over and pull up a loop. Once you have three loops in your hook, yarn over and pull through the loop.
Once you have three loops in your hook, yarn over and pull through the loop.
So, in a nutshell, all you need to do is crochet regular HDC in the third loop, and you’ll end up with a horizontal bar of (<<<<) V’s in front of your fabric.
