September 17, 2024

How to Half Double Crochet Stitch

Learning how to Half Double Crochet Stitch is an essential skill for crocheters. This crochet stitch is abbreviated HDC, and it is fairly easy to master. I will admit that I probably use the Half Double Crochet Stitch the most out of all of the crochet stitches. Ready to learn how to crochet this crochet stitch? Let’s grab a hook and some yarn and get crocheting!

First, check out our video tutorial on our You Tube Channel! Subscribe to get the latest crochet fun from Hope Corner Farm Crochet!

Jump to Video Tutorial

Jump to Written Instructions Only

Materials Needed:

Any size crochet hook (I used a size J 6.00mm Clover Soft Touch crochet hook for this tutorial)

Yarn of your choosing (I used Red Heart Soft – a medium weight size 4 yarn for this tutorial)

How to Start the Half Double Crochet Stitch:

Begin by chaining any number of chain stitches. There are no multiples for this crochet stitch.

Step One:

First, we will work the first half double crochet stitch into the SECOND chain from the crochet hook.

Where to place the 1st HDC crochet stitch

Now, yarn over and insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the crochet hook.

Work the 1st half double crochet stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook

YO and insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook

Note that I like to put TWO legs of the chain stitch on the top of my hook. Total personal preference, but that is how I like to work into my chains.

How to Half Double Crochet – Step 2:

Next, yarn over and pull through the chain stitch. There will be 3 loops of yarn on the crochet hook at the end of this step.

YO and pull through the chain stitch how to half double crochet stitch

Step 3:

Now, yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook. This will leave you with one loop of yarn remaining on the hook at the end of this step. It also is one completed HDC.

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook

one completed half double crochet stitch

How to Half Double Crochet – Second HDC Step 1:

Next, YO and insert the crochet hook into the next chain.

Where to work the next HDC stitch in crochet

Step 2 – Second HDC:

Now, yarn over again and pull through the chain stitch. There will be 3 loops of yarn on the crochet hook at this point.

3 loops of yarn on the hook how to half double crochet stitch

Second Half Double Crochet – Step 3:

Finally, yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops of yarn on the crochet hook. This completes another HDC. There is one loop of yarn left at the end of this step.

Second completed half double crochet stitch

Final Half Double Crochet on the Chain:

Now, keep repeating the above steps 1-3 until the last chain. The last place for a HDC for this row goes into the last chain stitch.

Second Row of Half Double Crochet – Step 1:

Begin by chaining one and turning.

Step 2 – Additional Rows of Half Double Crochets:

We will work the 1st HDC of the row into the first stitch. There is a space above the bar of the last row of half double crochet stitches that we work our next row into. See the photo below for stitch placement.

Where to work the next row of half double crochet stitches

Now, yarn over and insert the crochet hook into the first stitch.

Crochet hook placement for the HDC stitch

How to Half Double Crochet Stitch – Step 3:

Next, YO and pull through the stitch. There will be 3 loops of yarn on the hook at this point.

YO and pull through the stitch how to half double crochet stitch

Step 4 – Additional Rows of HDC:

Finally, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops of yarn on the crochet hook. This completes one HDC.

Yarn Over and pull through all of the loops on the crochet hook

Placement for Half Double Crochet Stitches:

Now, note the placement for the Half Double Crochet stitches. The last stitch of the row can be kind of tricky to find, so see the pictures below.

The space where half double crochets will be worked

The last 2 HDCs of the row will be worked into these spaces

The Last HDC of the Row:

Last, the last stitch of the row can be kind of hard to find. This is because we chain 1 and turn. By only chaining 1 and turning we end up with a straighter edge to our work, but this does make it hard to find that stitch at first. See the photos below for correct stitch placement.

The last space of the row of half double crochet stitches

The turning chain as viewed from the top

Remaining Rows of HDC:

For all remaining rows of Half Double Crochet stitches, repeat the same steps that were used to create row 2.

A second completed row of HDC stitches in crochet

How to Count the Half Double Crochet Stitch:

Now, to count the half double crochet stitch each “v” on the top of the HDC counts as one stitch.

Half Double Crochet Video Tutorial:

Written Instructions:

Begin by chaining any number.

Now, yarn over. Insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook.

Next, yarn over again. Pull through the chain stitch. There will be 3 loops on the hook.

Finally, YO again. Pull through all 3 loops on the hook. This completes one HDC. Repeat across the chain.

Now, for row 2 begin by chaining 1 and turning. Yarn over. Insert the hook into the 1st stitch. YO and pull through the stitch. Finally, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Repeat across the row.