How to Half Double Crochet Stitch (HDC) for Beginners

Jump to:

• What is The Half Double Crochet Stitch
• What Does HDC Mean in Crochet Patterns?
• How to Make the Half Double Crochet Stitch
• Step-by-Step Half Double Crochet Tutorial
• How to Half Double Crochet in Rows
• How to HDC in Rounds
• How to Increase
• How to Decrease
• HDC Stitch Variations
• Extended Half Double Crochet Stitch Instructions
• What To Make With Half Double Crochet
• Invitation to our Facebook group
• How to Do the Half Double Crochet Stitch (US Terms)

What is The Half Double Crochet Stitch

The half double crochet stitch strikes a perfect balance between height and ease. As the “goldilocks” between single crochet and double crochet, it’s a great stitch for achieving density and drape in your projects.

Because of its versatility, you’ll often see half-double stitches used when you’re crocheting sweaters, beanies, and scarves. It’s also a good crochet stitch for blankets because it progresses fairly quickly.

Complete beginner? Check out our guide on How to Crochet for Beginners

How it Compares

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to half double crochet, let’s take a quick look at how it compares to its stitch siblings: single crochet (SC) and double crochet (DC).

Now that you understand how the half double crochet compares to its stitch relatives, let’s learn how to hdc step-by-step.

What Does HDC Mean in Crochet Patterns?

Hdc (or HDC) is an abbreviation for the half double crochet stitch. Given that most crochet patterns are written in a sort of technical shorthand, you’ll likely come across “hdc” more than the longer phrase “half double crochet.”

Crochet terms in the UK are different than in the US. In UK terms, the half double crochet stitch is abbreviated “HTC” for half-treble crochet. To be clear, the stitch is worked the same way. It’s simply called by a different name in UK crochet patterns.

How to Make the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Here’s how to make a hdc stitch:

• Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch as usual
• Yarn over and pull up a loop
• Yarn over again and pull the yarn through all three loops on your hook
• Your hdc stitch is complete!

Making a half double crochet is quite similar to working a single crochet or double crochet, with one notable difference–the number of yarn overs you’ll use to complete the stitch. 

As I mentioned above, in a half double crochet stitch, you’ll begin with one yarn over (YO). At the end of the stitch, though, you’ll be pulling the final yarn over through three loops on your hook. This difference from single and double crochet is what creates the “third loop” unique to the half double crochet stitch. 

We’ll talk more about why this third loop is important later when we cover variations on half double crochet. 

Repeat steps 1-3 for each stitch in the row or round.

Pro Tip: When practicing new stitches, I always like to choose a light color of yarn so it’s easier to see what’s going on. Particularly with the different loops of a half double crochet stitch, avoiding a dark yarn at first is a must. 

How to Half Double Crochet in Rows

Working half double crochet stitches in rows is very similar to using single or double stitches. One consideration with hdc stitches is whether or not to count the turning chain as a stitch, which we’ll discuss shortly.

Does the Turning Chain Count As a Stitch in HDC?

The ch-2 turning chain (tch) is the biggest source of confusion for most beginners learning how to half double crochet. Here’s why: In some cases, the chain 2 at the beginning of a row does count as a stitch, and sometimes it doesn’t.

A turning chain is simply the one or more chains at the beginning of a row that elevate the working yarn to the height of the next row. In the case of rows of half double crochet, we work two chains at the beginning of each row. 

Who decides if these count as a stitch? That’s where it gets tricky. This can vary from pattern to pattern and designer to designer. Most of the time, the designer will note whether or not to count the turning chain (tch) as a stitch in a project using half double crochet stitches. 

If the turning chain does count as a stitch:

Skip the first stitch of the row and place your first hdc in the second stitch. At the end of the row, work your last stitch in the top of the turning chain from the previous row. When counting your stitches in a row, include the turning chain in your stitch count.

If the turning chain does not count as a stitch:

Place your first hdc in the first stitch of the row. At the end of the row, work your last hdc in the last hdc of the previous row. When counting your stitches in a row, don’t include the turning chain in your stitch count.

For example, if the pattern states “Ch 2, HDC in the same stitch,” you would chain 2 at the beginning of the row and work your first HDC stitch into the base of the turning chain. In this case, the turning chain is not counted as a stitch.

Now that you’ve mastered how to HDC in rows, let’s look at how it works in rounds.

How to HDC in Rounds

Working the half double crochet stitch in rounds allows you to create seamless projects like circles, baskets, amigurumi, and sweater sleeves. The process is similar to half double crocheting in rows with a few differences:

To make a circle using half double crochet stitches: Begin with a magic loop. (Alternatively, chain 4 and slip stitch to the first chain to make a loop.) 

Then work eight HDC in the loop. Increase by 8 HDC per round to create a circle that lies flat.

To work in turned rounds of HDC:

Some patterns will instruct you to turn your work at the end of each round. This means you’ll slip stitch into the first HDC of the round, then turn your project so the “wrong side” is facing you. 

After making your turning chains, you’ll begin working half double crochet stitches in the opposite direction of the last round.

To half double crochet in a spiral:

When half double crocheting in the round, sometimes you will not use a slip stitch to join the beginning and end of a round. Instead, you’ll continue in a spiral, working continuous rounds of HDC until your project is the height needed. 

In this case, be sure to keep track of the beginning of each round using a stitch marker. 

How to Increase

Increase stitches in crochet allow you to make your piece wider or create shaping within your fabric. Half double crochet increases are commonly used in projects such as hats, sweaters, or granny squares.

Placing two HDC stitches into a single stitch is the most common method for increasing using half-double crochet. 

Here’s how to increase step-by-step:

1. Determine the stitch in which you want to increase. 
2. Make one HDC in the designated stitch.
3. Then, make a second HDC in the same designated stitch.

You should now have two HDC where there was previously only one. You can place three, four, or even five HDC in the same spot depending on the reason for increasing.

How to Decrease

Decreases are used to make your fabric narrower or shape it as needed. There are a few ways to decrease in half double crochet, so let’s take a look at each. 

HDC2TOG: The Classic Decrease

The HDC2TOG is the most common half double crochet decrease stitch. It’s as simple as quite literally half double crocheting two stitches together, thereby creating one stitch where there used to be two.

Here’s how to hdc decrease:

1. Yarn over, insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Do not complete a final yarn over as you would with a typical hdc. (3 loops on hook)
2. Next, yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over again, and pull up a loop. (4 loops on hook: two from the first stitch and two from the new stitch)
3. Finally, yarn over once more and pull through all five loops on your hook. 
4. Your half double crochet decrease is complete!

Less Bulky: Omit the Yarn Over

If you’re finding that decreasing is leaving a noticeable bulge or bump in your fabric, try this variation on hdc2tog. This method can eliminate some of the bulkiness that can come when two stitches are squished together as one. 

Here’s how to complete this less bulky decrease: 

1. Yarn over, insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Do not complete a final yarn over as you would with a typical hdc. (3 loops on hook)
2. Do not yarn over. Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. (3 loops on hook: two from the previous stitch and one from the new stitch)
3. Finally, yarn over once more and pull through all four loops on your hook. 

3rd Loop Invisible Decrease

Sometimes, you’ll want a smooth decrease that’s barely noticeable, such as in the case of crocheting stuffed animals. That’s where the front loop half double crochet decrease comes into play. 

Follow these steps to achieve an invisible decrease:

1. Insert your hook under the front loop (loop closest to you) of the next stitch. Don’t pull up a loop.
2. Instead, insert your hook under the front loop in the neighboring stitch. There are now four loops on the hook. 
3. Yarn over and pull through the first two (front) loops on your hook. There are now three loops on the hook. 
4. Yarn over and pull through the remaining three loops.

HDC Stitch Variations

Remember when I mentioned earlier that the half double crochet stitch has a unique third loop that sets it apart from single and double crochet? 

The most common way to work HDC stitches is by inserting your hook under the middle and back loops. However, you can create different textures and variations on basic HDC simply by changing which loop you insert your hook under.

HDC BLO

You can exaggerate the texture of rows of half double crochet by working under the back loop only (abbreviated Hdcblo or HDC BLO).

HDC FLO (Third Loop)

Similar to HDC BLO, you can work under the third (aka closest to you) loop to create an almost “braided” looking fabric. This technique is often used in crochet sweater ribbing or sleeve cuffs to mimic the look of knit ribbing. 

Wide HDC

It probably comes as no surprise that we can also work under all three loops to create another variation of half-double crochet. This produces a warm, dense fabric that works well in pillows,  afghans, and baby blankets.

Camel Stitch

The camel crochet stitch is a variation on HDC that works best in the round. People love this stitch because of how it can resemble the “Vs” stitches of knitting. 

To crochet the camel stitch, you’ll simply work under only the third loop of each stitch, which is the loop closest to you. Continue in rounds of HDC like this, without turning your work at the end of each round.

Braided Half Double Crochet

Rows of extended half double crochet are alternated with slip stitch rows in this simple, knit-look stitch. Learn how to do the “braided” version of half double crochet in this tutorial.

Extended Half Double Crochet Stitch Instructions

When you need a slightly taller stitch, the extended half double crochet stitch is a pretty alternative to double crochet.

To work an extended half double crochet, you add one additional yarn over before completing the stitch. Here’s how:

1. Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch as usual
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop
3. Yarn over and pull through the first loop on hook only (this differs from typical hdc)
4. Yarn over again and pull the yarn through all three loops on your hook

What To Make With Half Double Crochet

Half double crochet is a popular stitch for good reason. It’s fairly quick, creates drapey fabric, and is warm without being stiff. Try it out on your next crochet afghan or baby blanket.

Here are some patterns you can make with your new half double crochet skills: