Are you looking for a great half double crochet tutorial for beginners, want to know what exactly this stitch is or just need a refresher on half double crochets?
In this article you can find out just about everything you need to know about the half double crochet stitch and how to crochet a half double crochet stitch even if you are a beginner. Not only have I created what I believe to be the best step-by-step half double crochet stitch tutorial (in written & video format) for both right- and left-handed crocheters, I have also included tons of other useful information about this stitch.
Before you get started, make sure you download the Learn to Crochet for Beginners Checklist to keep track of your progress! You can access your checklist at the bottom of this post.
Read on to discover what the best uses are for the half double crochet, how to know when and how to use a half double crochet in a pattern, different variations of the half double crochet, and much more.
Note: This article is about the US version of the HDC.
Sections:
- Why You Should Learn the Half Double Crochet Stitch
- What Can You Use the HDC Stitch For?
- How to Identify a Half Double Crochet in a Pattern
- What Does an HDC Look Like? The Anatomy of Half Double Crochet Stitches
- How to Do a Half Double Crochet or HDC Stitch
- How to Start a New Row of Half Double Crochet
- Project Ideas to Perfect the Half Double Crochet
Why You Should Learn the Half Double Crochet Stitch
Half double crochets (HDCs) are a fairly common stitch in crochet patterns and they are also one of my favorites. Here are some of the reasons why I recommend you learn how to make this stitch.
- It’s easy: You have probably either learned or will soon learn how to do a single crochet and double crochet stitch. Half double crochets are like a mix between a single and double crochet. This gives you a taller stitch than a single crochet but easier and faster than a double crochet. It’s really a win-win.
- Can be used in many patterns or freehand crochet objects: This stitch is really versatile and can be used in its original form or any number of variations within many projects.
- It’s quick: Part of the reason I love this stitch is that it is very fast to work up and easy on your hands. Like I said above, it is almost as quick as a single crochet but gives you more height so your crochet piece grows quickly!
- It’s thick and warm: Half double crochets are often used in things like winter hats/beanies, scarves, and sweaters because it is so thick and warm. Because its height is somewhere in between a single and double crochet, it does not leave much of a gap in between stitches. This helps prevent air from flowing between the stitches and creates a more solid piece of fabric than double crochet.
What Can You Use the HDC Stitch For?
- Any pattern that calls for it: This may be pretty obvious but half double crochets can be found in many different patterns.
- A quick scarf: You can create a project of your own design by using the half double crochet stitch to make a scarf. By deciding on this stitch for a scarf you will know that you are using a good stitch to create a nice, warm scarf. I even created a set of instructions at the bottom of this post for making your own scarf using HDCs.
- Great for clothing or warm blankets: As I mentioned before, half double crochets are great for items that you want to be extra warm. The short and somewhat thick stitches are close together and aren’t “holey” like some other, taller crochet stitches.
How to Identify a Half Double Crochet in a Pattern
If you are new to crocheting, you may still be learning how to read and decipher patterns. Here are a few tips for identifying a Half Double Crochet within a crochet pattern.
- Look for the key or terminology definitions: In the very beginning of most patterns, the author will create a key so you know how to decipher their unique verbiage and shorthand. Within this key, the half double crochet stitch will most often be referred to by the acronym “HDC.”
- Notice how they indicate the number of stitches. They might explain how the pattern will refer to the amount of stitches in the instructions in the beginning. Otherwise, you will have to use your common sense.
- Some patterns will say something like: “HDC in next 8 st” or “1hdc in next 8” which means that you should place one half double crochet stitch in each of the next stitches from the previous row.
- Other patterns might frame these same directions differently, such as, “8Hdc,” which could still mean placing one half double crochet in each of the next 8 stitches.
- There may be slightly different acronyms for the variations of half double crochets. For instance, “Front Post Half Double Crochet,” may be referred to using the acronym “FPhdc.” As I explain below, the basics of these variations for the half double crochet contain most of the same characteristics. You may just have to change small things like where you insert your hook, etc.
Hopefully this explanation helps you figure out how to discern where and how to make your half double crochet stitch within the context of the pattern you are using. If you are still having trouble or need help with a specific pattern, don’t hesitate to send me an email at kailey@crochetunraveled.com
LEARN TO CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS CHECKLIST
What Does an HDC Look Like? The Anatomy of Half Double Crochet Stitches
I always find it important to learn the “anatomy” of the crochet stitches that I am using because in some patterns you may have to pay attention to these things and do different variations of stitches using different parts of the stitch from the previous row. So here are some important parts of the anatomy of half double crochet stitches.
- Front loop: This is the loop on the top of the stitch that is closest to you
- Back loop: The back loop is the loop on top of the stitch that is furthest from you. It is the “partner” of the front loop. I always think the front and back loops of stitches look like a braid together.
- 3rd loop: The 3rd loop of the half double crochet stitch can be found on the side of the stitch that is facing you. It is the loop that is kind of at an angle below the front loop.
How to Do a Half Double Crochet or HDC Stitch:
| Materials |
| Yarn |
| Appropriate size of crochet hook |
I know that you leftie crocheters can sometimes have a difficult time finding good tutorials. That’s why I create a left-handed version of all of my stitch and pattern tutorials. You deserve the good crochet stuff 🙂 I’ve created both a left-handed & right-handed photo and video tutorial for you to learn how to do half double crochet.
If You Prefer to Watch the Half Double Crochet Video, Play One of the Videos Below:
Right-Handed: Best Half Double Crochet Tutorial For Beginners Video
Left-Handed: Best Half Double Crochet Tutorial For Beginners Video
Thanks for reading the written tutorial! If you are left-handed, look at the pictures on the left. If you are right-handed, look at the pictures on the right.
Step 1: Start with a foundation chain or wherever your pattern calls for an HDC
Step 2: Yarn over
To yarn over, wrap the yarn from the far side of the hook to the close side (the side facing you).
Step 3: Insert your hook
You will need to identify the stitch into which you are going to make the half double crochet then insert your hook into that stitch. This stitch will likely be in a foundation chain, if this is the beginning of a project.
Step 4: Yarn over
Step 5: Pull up a loop
You should now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 6: Yarn over
One last yarn over for this half double crochet stitch 🙂
Step 7: Pull through all 3 on hook
Pull that yarn over through all 3 of the loops on your hook. You will end up with a finished half double crochet stitch and a single loop on your hook.
How to Start a New Row of Half Double Crochet
In this section, I wanted to address how to turn half double crochet to start a new row of HDCs. Specifically, how many do you chain for half double crochet?
Since half double crochets are halfway in between the height of single and double crochets, it doesn’t really make sense to just chain one or chain two like you would for those two stitches.
Personally, I have found it best to meet somewhere in the middle. That is why I like to turn half double crochet by chaining 1, but loosely. Chaining 1 loosely will help you gain the height needed for half double crochet, but it will not “crowd” the end of your row like chaining 2 would.
See below for instructions for how many to chain in order to turn for a new row of half double crochet stitches:
- Chain 1 loosely, turn work.
- HDC in the first stitch (and each subsequent stitch if the pattern or project calls for it)
Project Ideas to Perfect the Half Double Crochet
These projects are the perfect beginner crochet projects to learn and perfect the half double crochet stitch. You can use any yarn and hook that you like and even integrate some variations of the half double crochet that you learned about above.
HDC Scarf:
- Chain the width of a scarf +1
- Turn
- HDC to end of chain
- Chain 1 loosely, turn
- HDC to end of row
- Repeat until your scarf is as long as you desire
- Optional: Embellish your scarf with tassels, fringe, or even large pom poms at either end
HDC Dishcloth:
- Chain 21
- Turn
- HDC to end of chain
- Chain 1 loosely, turn
- HDC to end of row
- Repeat until your dishcloth is as large as you desire
Conclusion
This post was written to give you just about everything you need to know about half double crochets (or the half double crochet stitch). I hope that it helped you and that you enjoyed reading this article. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at kailey@crochetunraveled.com
To practice your new skill, be sure to use a few of the pattern suggestions above.
Before you go, make sure you check out the following blog posts:
Learn to Crochet Easily – Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners
How to Hold Yarn for Crochet – For Absolute Beginners
Learn to Easily Crochet Soap Savers with this Pattern for Beginners
P.S. Now that you know how to crochet the half double crochet stitch, it’s time to get your Learn to Crochet for Beginners Checklist! Click here to get your free checklist.
