Learn how to do the half double crochet in this step-by-step tutorial. This is one of the basic stitches for crochet and is perfect for beginners, both simple and durable. It is referred to as “hdc” and named half double crochet because it is halfway in height between the single crochet (sc) and the double crochet (dc). The name is Half Treble (htr) in the UK.
We wrote this tutorial with the beginner in mind, with every step completely written out for those who aren’t familiar with crochet terms.
How to Stitch the Half Double Crochet
Learn how to do the half double crochet stitch in this step-by-step tutorial and video designed for the real beginner. Every term is explained in detail - not just a lot of abbreviations!
Materials
- Yarn
Tools
- Crochet hook suitable for the yarn you selected
- Small scissors
Instructions
- Start by making a chain stitch. To make a chain stitch, you form a slip knot with the yarn. To make a slip knot, make a loop. Place your hook in the loop
- Take your hook through the loop, catch the working yarn and do a yarn over. (The working yarn is the yarn that is coming off of your skein of yarn.) A yarn over is done by looping the working yarn around your crochet hook.
- Next you pull the yarn through the loop, forming the first chain stitch.
- Continue making chain stitches. Wrap your yarn around your crochet hook with a yarn over (ya).
- Pull through the loop.
- Chain stitch for as many stitches the pattern calls for. We'll do a small sample with ten (10) stitches. Here is my base of chain stitches.
- To start a row for half double crochet, you always start with two chain stitches. This forms the beginning of the row. So, add two more chain stitches to your base.
- These two chain stitches actually form the first stitch. Take your working yarn and wrap over your hook, this is called a yarn over (ya).
- Now you take your crochet hook through from the front to the back on the third stitch.
- Loop your yarn over. Now you have three loops and a yarn over on your crochet hook.
- Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and bring it through all three loops on your hook, which leaves one loop on your hook
- We've now done one half double crochet stitch! Time to start the next stitch. Begin with a yarn over.
- Take your hook through the top of the next stitch.
- Do another yarn over.
- Pull the thread through all three loops on your hook.
- Here is a finished row of the half double crochet stitch.
- To start the next row, we need to raise the yarn to the correct height. To do this, start with two (2) chain stitches. This is referred to as the turning chain on crochet patterns. This counts as the first stitch for the row.
- Since the chain counts as the first stitch in the row, we'll skip the first half double crochet of the first row. Now loop the yarn around your hook, place it from the front to the back under the second stitch from the previous row.
- Yarn over your hook.
- Bring it back through. Draw the loop through the stitches.
- Continue doing this for the entire row.
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What is HDC in a crochet pattern?
HDC refers to the half double crochet stitch which is between a single crochet and a double crochet in height. In reading crochet patterns, you’ll find hdc common in referring to this stitch.
How do you start a hdc row?
A hdc row always begins with two chain stitches. Then, you make the basic hdc stitch in the second stitch from the previous row. You’ll do a yarn over, slip your hook through the top of the stitch, do another yarn over, pull this through the three stitches and start again.
How do you start hdc in the round?
To start this stitch in the round, begin with a magic circle. This is the beginning of granny squares and crochet hats made from the top to the brim. Magic circles are also key to beginning many amigurumi patterns, creating adorable little creatures with yarn.
Why are the terms different in the US and UK?
The US refers to the number of yarn overs used in the stitch and the UK refers to how many loops are on your hook with the final pull through of yarn. So, this is a half double crochet in the US since there are two yarn overs, but it is half of the height of a double crochet stitch. In the UK it is the treble stitch since there are three loops on your crochet hook when you pull through the yarn forming the final stitch.
Why is ripping out crochet called frogging?
In learning how to crochet, I’ve done a lot of ripping out. I had no idea it was called frogging! Want to know why? Because you pull at your yarn and it makes a slight noise sounding like ‘ribit, ribit’ when you ‘ripit, ripit’. 🙂
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