How to Half Double Crochet (abbreviated hdc)

Just as its name implies, the half double crochet includes one less step than the double crochet stitch and works up to about half the height.

Remember, you will never work into the first chain from the crochet hook unless the crochet pattern you are using specifically directs you to do so.

How to Half Double Crochet in the Starting Chain

Row 1: Make a slip knot or twist start and make the number of chains stated in the pattern (for this sample chain 13). Bring the yarn once over the crochet hook from back to front, skip the first two chains and then insert the hook in the third chain from the hook. Be sure to go through the center of the V of the chain. This means you will have the back leg of the V and the back bar of the chain on the hook (two bars across the top of your hook).

Note: With a half double crochet, some patterns may have you work the first stitch in the second chain. This is fine. Designers have varying opinions about how many stitches to skip. It isn’t wrong for a pattern to differ from these instructions.

Remember not to count the loop on the hook as a chain.

Next, bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw it through the chain stitch and up onto the working area of the hook. You now have three loops on the hook.

Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw it though all three loops on the hook in one motion.

You have completed one half double crochet; one loop remains on the hook.

To finish the row, continue to work one half double crochet in each remaining chain across the row following the same steps. You may find it helpful to mark the last stitch of the row with a stitch marker to make it easily identifiable.

Once you have completed the row, you should stop and count your stitches. Following the sample, you should have 12 half double crochet stitches, counting the first two chains you skipped at the beginning of the row as a half double crochet.

Note: Some patterns count the skipped chains as a stitch and some do not. Read the directions carefully to know how the stitches are counted in your pattern.

Turn your work counterclockwise.

How to Half Double Crochet in a Stitch

Row 2: You need to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the next row. To raise the yarn, chain two (this is called the turning or beginning chain). The turning chain counts as a stitch in half double crochet unless your pattern specifies otherwise. If using a stitch marker, move it to the top stitch of this chain to mark the first stitch.

Note: Some designers prefer to chain one for the turning chain of a half double crochet row. It is not wrong for the turning chain instructions to differ between patterns. Read the directions carefully to know how many chains to make and if the chains are counted as stitches or not.

Skip the first half double crochet of the previous row. In the second stitch of the row, yarn over andinsert the crochet hook under top two loops of the stitch. You should see a V across the hook. Yarn over, draw the yarn through the top of the stitch (three loops on the hook), yarn over and draw through all three loops to complete the stitch. Work a half double crochet in the next stitch and in each remaining stitch across the previous row.

You can continue practicing by making more rows, or fasten off. If you are continuing on, remember to chain two before your first half double crochet on each new row.

How to Fasten Off

After the last stitch, cut the yarn, leaving a 4- to 6-inch end. As you do when you take your crochet hook out for a break, draw the hook straight up, but this time draw the cut yarn end completely through the stitch. Pull the 4- to 6-inch end to close.