How to Half Double Crochet for Beginners (HDC)
The half double crochet stitch is a great crochet stitch for a beginner to add to their skill set of stitches. It also happens to be my favorite crochet stitch to use a lot of my crochet patterns.
And knowing how to half double crochet is important for making all types of projects like blankets, hats, and washcloths. So, mastering this stitch is a must.
I hope this easy tutorial will help you easily crochet a half double crochet stitch and start making projects with it too. Maybe, before you know it, this stitch will become one of your favorites too!
Why You’ll Love this Stitch
A half double crochet stitch is one of the six basic crochet stitches that you need to learn as a beginner crocheter.
This stitch is often abbreviated as “hdc” in crochet patterns. If you have ever come across this abbreviation when reading a pattern and wondered what the hdc crochet meaning was exactly, now you know! Psst: You will see it abbreviated here in this post too!
How to Half Double Crochet
The hdc stitch is quite similar to the single and double crochet stitches, but with a few minor differences.
How to make a Half Double Crochet (hdc):
- Yo (yarn over)
- Insert a hook from front to back of the designated stitch,
- Yo the hook and pick up a loop.
- Yo the hook and pull back through all three loops on the hook.
Half Double Crochet
Abbreviation: hdc
Difficulty Level: Easy
Learn this stitch →
A half double crochet stitch (hdc) in terms of size, it is right between a single crochet (sc) and double crochet stitch (dc). See the chart below!
Half double crochet is only a US term. In the UK, it’s called a half treble crochet. So, you’ll need to keep that in mind when you are looking through patterns for half double crochet.
Using the Hdc in Rounds vs Rows
You can also use the hdc stitch in the round or in rows. If you are working the hdc stitch and want to start a new round or row, you will chain 1 (or 2) depending on what the crochet pattern calls for.
The Half Double Crochet (HDC) Tutorial
Skill Level: Basic
Materials
- I used Lion Brand Woolspun Bulky weight 5 in Oxford Grey (but any yarn weight or brand will work)
- Crochet Hook Size L. I used the Crochet Dude Aluminum Crochet Hook Size L /8 mm (check the yarn label to find out the correct hook size to use)
- Scissors
Notes
- This tutorial is shown using standard US Terms
- Remember to have fun – it is a learning experience!
- The number of chain stitches will determine the number of stitches your crochet project will be.
- You can use a worsted weight yarn, lightweight or any size weight yarn to make this stitch pattern.
- Follow along with the photo tutorials below, too, as well as the written instructions to make the perfect set of half double crochet stitches.
The Half Double Crochet Tutorial
Step 1: To start your chain row, make a slip knot and chain any number (I used 11 to create my foundation chain for this tutorial)
Step 2: You are now ready to start the beginning of the row! Yarn over and Insert Hook into 2nd Chain from Hook
Step 3: Yarn over again and draw yarn pull back through 2nd Chain (3 loops on hook)
Step 4: Yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. You made your first half double crochet or first hdc!
Step 5: Repeat from Step 2 (do not work into the 2nd chain from hook from here on out go to the next chain instead)You have completed your first row!
Finishing: When you get to the end of the row, remember to chain 1, turn to start the next the second row and any new row after.
You have now completed a row of hdc stitches!
Continuing On: Repeat from step 2 working into the first stitch and then the next stitch on to complete a half double crochet pattern. After row 1 you will always work through both loops or top loops of the stitch which always look like a V.
Half Double Crochet Chart
Take a look at our half double crochet symbol chart below to learn how to hdc as well. If you are new to reading charts, then take a look at our crochet symbol guide before attempting to use it.
Half Double Crochet (HDC) Stitch Video Tutorial
If you prefer a video on how to make a half double crochet (hdc) then check out my tutorial video below!
Crochet Patterns Using the HDC Crochet Stitch
The half double crochet is an easy stitch that is perfect to use in projects like blankets, pillows, ear warmers or baby blankets. I have designed quite a few patterns that use this stitch.
My favorite half double crochet stitch patterns:
All the projects above will be perfect to crochet once you’ve learned more about the half double crochet stitch.
Or take a look at our collection of patterns using the half double crochet to see if there is a blanket, scarf, or something else that catches your eye.
Other Stitch Tutorials Using the Half Double Crochet
Well, now that you’ve mastered the half double crochet stitch, you can now learn some variants of it.
Here are other stitch tutorials about how to:
- hdc two together (EasyCrochet.com)
- hdc decrease (CrochetSpot.com)
- hdc increase (knitandcrocheteverafter.com)
- herringbone half double crochet stitch (EasyCrochet.com)
- working in the third loop of a hdc stitch (EasyCrochet.com)
- working in the front loop and back loop with this stitch (TheUnraveledMitten.com)
These easy variations on the half-double crochet stitch are fun and simple to learn. You will find yourself using them all quite often in just about any pattern.
Learn Other Beginner Crochet Stitch Tutorials
I hope you had fun learning about the tips and quick tricks on how to half double crochet, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
If you are a beginner crocheter, you may also like to try the beginner crochet lesson, abbreviation guide, or even make this beginner-friendly scarf.
Here are some more how to crochet tutorials that may be useful with future crochet projects & patterns.
Happy Crocheting!
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Thank you so much. I love your patterns, they’re easy to make nd understandable.
You are very welcome, Christina!
Happy Crocheting!
-Krista