Welcome back! Today we’re learning how to do the Half Double Crochet stitch (abbreviated HDC or hdc). If you’re just joining in and want to start from the beginning, check out the first post in this learn to crochet series, How to Single Crochet. And I hope you had a chance to try out the free potholder bonus pattern from last lesson!
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How to Half Double Crochet YouTube Tutorial
Supplies
If you’re following along with the blanket blocks, you should use the same or similar yarn and hook that you used in the first lesson – here’s what I used:
- Worsted Weight yarn of your choice – I used Caron Simply Soft
- Size H crochet hook – I love these Odyssey hooks from Furls Crochet!
- Yarn/Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends.
How to Half Double Crochet
First of all, the half double crochet stitch is taller than a single crochet stitch. That means that when you make a chain to turn your row, you’ll have to add one extra chain. Where a turning chain was 1 stitch tall for single crochet, it will be 2 stitches tall for half double crochet.
This also means that when you work into your starting chain, you’ll work into the third chain from your hook instead of the second chain from your hook like in single crochet. When working later rows, make sure to count your turning chain as your first stitch and work your first hdc in the next stitch on the row below.
To make an HDC, you will start with a yarn over before inserting your hook into the next stitch.
Next, insert your hook in the next stitch. Remember to go through both loops of the V (unless you’re doing front loop or back loop only).
Yarn over again.
Pull a loop through the stitch, but not through the other two loops on your hook. You should end up with three loops on your hook at this point.
Now yarn over again.
And pull through all three loops on your hook. That’s it!
So to recap, these are the steps for an hdc, or half double crochet stitch:
- yarn over
- insert hook through next stitch
- yarn over
- pull the loop through the stitch
- yarn over
- pull the loop through all three loops on your hook
Making the Half Double Crochet Blanket Square
To make the blanket square for this project, I just did straight hdc. It took me 23 stitches to get 6″ of width, but it may take you fewer or more depending on your tension, yarn, and hook. Experiment a little to find how many stitches you need. I also needed 17 rows to get 6″ in height. Again, that amount might vary for you.
You’ll often sometimes see vertical rows of hdc in garments and such. It looks like this when turned the other way!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Ready for the next lesson? Check out How to Double Crochet. Don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel and sign up for the email newsletter, below, to get updated with the latest posts and videos. Happy crocheting!