The Easy Way to Half Double Crochet (HDC)

The half double crochet stitch is a great crochet stitch for a beginner to learn. It is one of the first stitches a new crocheter learns, and knowing how to half double crochet is important.

This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create a crochet project with a half double crochet stitch. Before you know it, this stitch will become one of your favorites as well.

how to half double crochet — Half Double Crochet Stitch

A half double crochet stitch is one of the most common and one of the basic crochet stitches that you need to learn.

This stitch is often abbreviated as “hdc” in crochet patterns. If you have ever come across this abbreviation and wondered what the hdc crochet meaning was exactly, now you know!

How to Half Double Crochet (hdc)

The HDC stitch is quite similar to the single and double crochet stitches, but with a few minor differences. A half double crochet is started with a Yarn Over (YO) the hook, unlike a single crochet where no yarn over is made.

Half Double Crochet

Abbreviation: hdc
Difficulty Level: Easy
Learn this stitch →

Patterns Using This Stitch →

The difference of a half double crochet from a double crochet, is that at the end of the stitch you’ll pull through three loops on the hook instead of just continuing on.

Once you have your yarn and hook ready, you are ready to learn how to make a regular half double crochet. Below is the basic outline on how to half double crochet. This will get you started in the right direction of making this stitch.

How to make a Half Double Crochet (hdc):

YO (yarn over)
Insert 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.

Remember: sometimes in crochet patterns, you’ll see it abbreviated as “HDC.” This always means Half Double Crochet. So, if you’ve ever wondered what HDC stands for when reading crochet patterns, now you know!

Furthermore, this 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.

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.

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. They would be great projects once you’ve mastered this stitch.

Take a look at a few of my favorite HDC patterns below:

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.

If you have ever wondered what is a hdc in crochet, then this tutorial is for you! Enjoy!

The Half Double Crochet (HDC) Tutorial

Skill Level: Basic

Materials

I used Lion Brand Woolspun Bulky Size 5 in Oxford Grey (but any size or brand will work)
Crochet Hook Size L. I used the Crochet Dude Aluminum Crochet Hook Size L /8 mm (use the hook that corresponds with the yarn you choose to use)
Scissors

Notes

This tutorial is shown using standard US Terms
Remember to have fun – it is a learning experience!
The number of chains 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)

How to Half Double Crochet :: Easy Crochet — Step 1

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 (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!

Ok… So What’s Next?

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.

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The Easy Way to Half Double Crochet (HDC)