Half Double Crochet Decrease (Half Double Crochet Two Together)

Learning how to Half Double Crochet Two Stitches Together, also known as hdc2tog is a useful crochet stitch to know when making items that have different shapes to them.

This stitch is also referred to as the half double crochet decrease (hdc dec), but they both mean the same thing.

What is HDC Two Together?

The half double crochet 2 together (wow, that’s a mouthful!) technique combines two crochet stitches into one, thus removing one stitch from your row count. This method combines the half double crochet stitch, while removing one stitch from your work (i.e., a decrease).

As an example: if you have a row of 20 stitches, making a hdc2tog (or hdc decrease) will give you a row of 19 stitches afterward.

Decreasing stitches makes your crocheted piece narrower. Decreases can be used for anything that you need to lose a stitch for, including shaping the crown of a hat, the neckline of a sweater, or the wrist of a mitten.

Follow along with the full tutorial below to learn how to use this easy technique in your crochet projects and patterns. Enjoy!

The Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc2tog) Tutorial

Skill Level: Easy

Materials

This free stitch pattern can be learned with any weight yarn. When practicing, remember to choose the size hook that the yarn suggests. You can see the suggestion printed right on the yarn skein’s label.

This stitch tutorial is written in US terms.

• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick #6 super bulky yarn was used in the tutorial
• A 10 mm crochet hook

HDC 2 Together Tutorial

Half Double Crochet 2 Together (hdc2tog):

1. Yarn over (yo) the crochet hook
2. Insert hook into the designated stitch.
3. Yo the crochet hook
4. Pull the yarn back through the stitch on your crochet hook. You should now have 3 loops on the hook.
5. Insert the crochet hook into the next stitch on your row
6. Yo the crochet hook again.
7. Pull the yarn through the stitch on your crochet hook (4 loops on hook)
8. Yo the crochet hook
9. Pull the yarn through all 4 loops on your crochet hook.

You have now completed a HDC 2 together stitch!

Crochet Patterns Using the HDC2TOG Stitch

Now that you know how to HDC 2 together, you can try it in the..

• Josie Chunky Scarf pattern.

This scarf tutorial only uses the HDC and HDC2TOG stitches to create a wonderful chevron pattern.