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How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Janne Kleivset
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This crochet tutorial is going to teach you how to crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc). This crochet stitch is one of the basic crochet stitches & it is often used in crochet pattern.

As the name suggests it is something in between the single crochet (sc) & double crochet (dc), which are also two of the basic crochet stitches.

The crochet stitch is explained in a step-by-step guide, you will also find details about the half double crochet stitch abbreviation, chart symbol, half double crochet variation, crochet patterns using the hdc stitch and more!

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Table of Contents

What is a Half Double Crochet Stitch?

The half double crochet stitch is one of the basic stitches, crochet beginners often learn after the single crochet.

It is known for being slightly bigger than the single crochet, while not as big as the double crochet.

You can crochet it in just 5 simple steps. The steps of the half double crochet is to yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch or space indicated on the pattern instructions, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.

Repeat the 5 steps to crochet more stitches.

Materials You Will Need To Crochet The HDC Stitch

Any crochet hook size and yarn.

For crocheting the half double crochet you can use any type of yarn.

When following a crochet pattern, use the same yarn and crochet hook size suggested in the pattern and test the gauge by crocheting a swatch.

If you are learning the stitch only, try using:

In the photos the yarn used was worsted weight yarn.

How to Half Double Crochet in 5 Steps

  1. Yarn over
  2. Insert hook into next stitch (or space specified in pattern)
  3. Pull up a loop
  4. Yarn over
  5. Pull through all loops on hook
  6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 to make more half double crochet stitches

Half Double Crochet Abbreviation

The most common crochet abbreviation is hdc in US crochet terms.

Note: In UK crochet terms the half double crochet is refereed to as the half treble crochet and abbreviated htr.

The abbreviation hdc is used for one and multiple stitches.

The abbreviation list will write it like this: hdc = half double crochet.

If you are supposed to crochet multiple hdc stitches you may find it written as “hdc 2″, “hdc 3” ect or “3hdc”, “2hdc” ect. in a crochet pattern.

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How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Half Double Crochet Chart Symbol

The half double crochet stitch crochet chart symbol is simple and looks like a “T”.

It will be turned in the direction it will lay in your finished crochet work.

Photo showing the hdc stitch chart symbol.

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Half Double Crochet Tutorial – Step By Step Photo Tutorial

Starting:

In this photo tutorial (shown right handed) you will see how to crochet a half double crochet and also work into a regular stitch.

The steps of the hdc stitch are the same if you crochet into a foundation chain instead of stitches.

Grab a crochet hook in your right hand, make a slip knot and crochet chains, work the first hdc into the 3rd chain from the crochet hook to start your project.

Step 1: Yarn over from back to front

Yarn over from back to front, step 1 of the half double crochet stitch.

The first step of the half double crochet stitch is to yarn over from back to front.

Step 2: Insert crochet hook in next stitch

Insert crochet hook in next stitch, step 2 of the half double crochet stitch.

The second step of the half double crochet stitch is to insert the crochet hook into the next stitch.

Step 3: Pull up a loop

Pull up a loop, step 3 of the half double crochet stitch.

In the third step of the half double crochet stitch you pull up a loop from the next stitch on previous row. You have 3 loops on your crochet hook.

Step 4: Yarn over from back to front

Yarn over from back to front, step 3 of the half double crochet stitch.

In the fourth step of the half double crochet stitch you will yarn over from back to front.

Step 5: Pull yarn through all loops on your crochet hook

Pull yarn through all loops on your crochet hook, step 5 of the half double crochet stitch

To finalize the half double crochet stitch, pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.

Step 6: Finished

Photo of a finished half double crochet stitch.

Finally you have now finished a half double crochet stitch.

To continue working hdc crochet stitches, repeat step 1-5.

Step By Step Half Double Crochet Video Tutorial

Half Double Crochet Height and Turning Chain

Above you learned how to crochet half double crochet. However, when working in either rows or rounds, you may come across turning chains.

The turning chains are used to start rows or rounds.

The number of turning chains your crochet depends on the height of the crochet stitch.

For this stitch the most common number of turning chains is two.

The crochet pattern you are following will specify if the turning chain counts as the first stitch (half double crochet) on the row or round.

How To Crochet Half Double Crochet In Rows

You can crochet hdc stitches in rows.

In that case you will start your project with a row of foundation stitches. If you are more experienced, you may start with a foundation single crochet (FSC) or a foundation half double crochet.

Then to crochet your first row of half double crochet, you will repeat steps 1-5 to crochet half double stitches into every foundation chain.

When you reach the end of the row, turn your work by flipping it to the other side, ready to work in the opposite direction over the stitches you most recently crocheted.

To start a new row of half double crochet stitches, chain two (ch-2) and work half double crochet stitches into all the half double crochets from the first row. If the chain 2 counts as a stitch according to the pattern, work the first half double crochet into the second to last stitch from previous row.

How To Crochet Half Double Crochet In Rounds

You can crochet hdc stitches in rounds.

In that case you start your project with a row of foundation chain stitches.

To work in rounds, you have to form a ring or a circle. To create a ring, slip stitch (sl st) into the first chain you make, make sure you don’t twist your chain stitches.

To crochet your first round of half double crochet:

  1. Chain 2 and repeat steps 1-5 to crochet half double crochet stitches into every foundation chain.
  2. When you reach the end of the round, slip stitch into the second chain made at the beginning of the round.

To start a new round of half double crochet, repeat steps 1 and 2 directly above.

Half Double Crochet With Spiraling Rounds

You can also crochet half double crochet stitches in rounds without ending them, and work in a spiral.

When working in a spiral, you will end up with a crochet piece shaped like a tube.

To work half double crochet in spiraling rounds do this:

  • Start with a row of foundation chains and slip stitch into the first chain made.
  • Chain 2 and repeat steps 1-5 for the hdc stitch into every foundation chain.
  • When you reach the end of the round, half double crochet into the first hdc stitch made.
  • Continue crocheting half double crochet stitches into each half double crochet until your project has the desired length.

When crocheting project in a shape of a tube, you can easily crochet headbands, hats, and the body on crochet sweaters.

How To Count Your Half Double Crochet Stitches

In the photo below you can see how to count the half double crochet stitches just made.

Each of the first 5 stitches are shown with an arrow, then you can practice to find the 17 stitches in total on same row the photo.

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Half Double Crochet Increases and Decreases

Half Double Crochet Increases

To increase half double crochet stitches, all you do is to work multiple half double crochet stitches into the stitch or indicated space.

This will be written in a pattern like this:

  • hdc 2 in next stitch (you will increase 1 stitch).
  • hdc 3 in next stitch (you will increase 2 stitches).
  • hdc 4 in next stitch (you will increse 4 stitches).

It can also be written like this:

  • 2hdc in next stitch, which means the same as “hdc 2 in next stitch”.

Alternatively it can be written like this:

  • Inc or inc hdc. Which means you should crochet 2 hdc in one stitch if it’s not specified with a number.
  • 3 hdc inc, will then mean you should crochet 3 stitches in the next stitch.

In some cases you may be asked to increase half double crochet stitches evenly over a certain number of stitches, in that case you can use the crochet increase and decrease calculator.

Half Double Crochet Decreases

Regular Half Double Crochet Decrease – Half Double Crochet 2 Together (hdc2tog)

In crochet patterns you may come across needing to decrease stitches and specifically decrease half double crochet stitches.

The most common way to decrease 1 hdc stitch with the half double crochet 2 together (hdc2tog):

  1. Yarn over and pull up a loop from the next stitch.
  2. Repeat step 1. You have 5 loops on your crochet hook.
  3. Yarn over.
  4. Pull through all loops on your crochet hook.

You can also decrease two stitches with the half double crochet 3 together (hdc3tog) and decrease 3 stitches with the half double crochet 4 together (hdc4tog).

Invisible Half Double Crochet Decrease

The less common way to decrease one half double crochet is the invisible decrease method. The decrease is less visible, and may result in a more beautiful finish. It’s a bit more difficult than the regular decrease.

Here’s how you invisible half double crochet decrease:

  1. Yarn over
  2. Skip 1 stitch.
  3. Insert the crochet hook in the front loop of the next stitch.
  4. Then insert the crochet hook in the front loop of the skipped stitch. This step is a bit difficult and you may need to use your hand or a different crochet hook to lift the loop onto the crochet hook.
  5. Pull up a loop.
  6. Yarn over.
  7. Pull through all loops on your crochet hook.

How To Change Yarn Color With Half Double Crochet Stitches

When you crochet hdc stitches and are going to change color, to get a nice finish, crochet as follows:

  1. Yarn over, insert crochet hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop with the yarn color you are already working with.
  2. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the crochet hook with the new yarn color.
  3. Then continue with the new yarn color until you need to change color again.

You can learn more about colorwork in crochet with these crochet tutorials.

Variations of the Half Double Crochet Stitch

The Half Double Crochet Stitch is one of the basic crochet stitches, one of the building blocks of crochet. Because of that there’s many variations of the regular hdc stitch, each with it’s own unique look and feel.

Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC)

The FHDC stitch is a foundation stitch and a variation of the regular hdc that is used to start crochet project.

The foundation stitches can also be used the same as foundation chains to create stitches and open spaces in your crochet work.

The steps of the foundation half double crochet:

  1. Chain 3 (counts as first FHDC).
  2. Yarn over.
  3. Insert hook in the first chain made and pull up a loop.
  4. Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the crochet hook.
  5. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.
  6. Repeat steps 2-5 to create more FHDC stitches by inserting the crochet hook in the chain “looking” base created at the bottom of the work.

View a full photo and video tutorial showing how to crochet the foundation half double crochet stitch.

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

HDC In Front Loops, Back Loops and Third Loop

On the half double crochet you have 3 different loops you can crochet into instead of the whole stitch. These result in different stitch textures.

The front loop and back loop shown in the photo below, are loops you will find with any crochet stitch, while the third loop are special to the half double crochet.

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Back Loop Half Double Crochet (BLhdc or hdc BLO)

To crochet hdc through the back loop only, follow these steps:

  1. Yarn over.
  2. Insert hook into the back loop of the next stitch / indicated stitch.
  3. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
  4. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.

We have a detailed step by step photo and video tutorial for you to learn the Back Loop Half Double crochet.

Half Double Crochet Ribbing Working Through The Back Loop Only

This stitch is used to create a crochet ribbing texture. It is less common than the back loop single crochet, and the ribbing is less textured.

You can try the back loop half double crochet in many of my crochet patterns:

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Front Loop Half Double Crochet (FLhdc or hdc FLO)

When crocheting hdc stitches into the front loop only, you will get a more loose crochet fabric which will drape more nicely.

The only difference between a regular stitch and the one worked in the front loop, is the fact that you insert the crochet hook in the front loop and not the whole stitch.

You can try the FLhdc in the Tekstur Cowl Pattern & Shine Spring Cowl.

We have a detailed step by step photo and video tutorial for you to learn the Front Loop Half Double crochet.

The Third Loop On The Half Double Crochet

When you crochet half double crochet stitches you may come across the term the “third loop” or “3rd loop”.

The third loop is created by the first yarn over on the half double crochet stitch.

In some crochet patterns you may be instructed to work into the third loop of the half double crochet stitch, which creates a lovely ridge that kind of looks like a knit stitch. But also a lovely texture on the crochet fabric.

Half Double Crochet Post Stitches

The Back Post Half Double Crochet (BPhdc) and the Front Post Half Double Crochet (FPhdc) are worked the same as regular hdc stitches, however you insert the hook and pull up a loop around the post of the stitch instead of into the stitch itself.

  • Insert the crochet hook from *front to back to front* around the post of the stitch on the previous row for FPhdc stitches to pull up a loop.
  • Insert the crochet hook from *back to front to back* around the post of the stitch on the previous row for BPhdc stitches to pull up a loop.

After pulling up a loop, finish the hdc stitch with yarn over, and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.

Spike Half Double Crochet

The spike stitches (spike-hdc) are worked with the same steps as a regular stitch, however the crochet hook is inserted into stitches rows below.

The loop you pull up is then pulled to the height of the row you are working on.

How many rows below will always be specified in the pattern you follow.

Below you can see an example from the Spike Half Double Crochet.

You can also try this stitch pattern in the Spikes and Stripes Pillow.

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitch (HBhdc or hhdc)

The Herringbone Half Double Crochet is a beautiful variation of the original half double. It creates a lovely herringbone patterning as the rows slants sideways.

To crochet a Herringbone Half Double Crochet, do this:

  1. Yarn over.
  2. Pull up a loop from the next stitch or indicated space.
  3. Pull through the first loop on the crochet hook.
  4. Yarn over.
  5. Pull through the 2 loops on the crochet hook.
  6. Repeat step 1-5 to crochet more Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitches.

We have a detailed step by step tutorial if you need more information: Herringbone Half Double Crochet.

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Linked Half Double Crochet

The Linked Half Double Crochet is one of the linked stitches that creates a dense fabric without any gaps. It is worked the same way as the Linked Double Crochet and Linked Treble Crochet.

To work the linked half double crochet, do this:

  1. Chain any number of stitches to start your project.
  2. To work the 1st stitch: Pull up a loop from the first chain and then the next chain, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.
  3. To work the following stitches: Pull up a loop from the horizontal bar, pull up a loop from the next stitch, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.
  4. Repeat step 3 to crochet more Linked Half Double Crochet stitches.

Crochet Stitch Patterns Using the Half Double Crochet

Because the half double crochet is one of the basic crochet stitches, you will find it featured in many crochet stitch patterns.

Below you can find a list of tutorials for stitch patterns where the half double crochet is included:

How To Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Commonly Asked Questions About The Half Double Crochet Stitch

What does HDC 2 mean in crochet?

HDC 2 means that you should crochet 2 half double crochet stitches into the same stitch or space.

What is the difference between half double crochet and double crochet?

The differense between them is that the half double crochet is a smaller stitch than the double crochet, and with less steps. To crochet the double crochet you will yarn over and pull through loops one extra time compared to the half double crochet.

Is a half double crochet the same as a single crochet?

The single crochet and half double crochet is not the same crochet stitch. The single crochet is smaller, while the half double crochet is taller. There is one extra step on the half double crochet, you start the stitch with a yarn over.

What does 5 HDC mean in crochet?

5 HDC in crochet means that you should crochet 5 half double crochet stitches into the indicated stitch or space.

Other Basic Crochet Stitches


If you want to learn more crochet stitches, we have lots of amazing crochet stitch tutorials on our blog.

If you are a beginner this is a great place to start:

Crochet Projects Using the Half Double Crochet

Find free patterns using the half double crochet stitch here.

Janne Kleivset

Janne Kleivset

Founder, Crochet Pattern Designer & Owner of Joy of Motion Crochet.

Janne has helped millions of crocheters find their next crochet project with more than 250 free crochet patterns and 110 crochet tutorials on her blog.

With more than two decades of crochet experience, and crochet designing since 2011, she's been featured on multiple prominent sites such as Lion Brand Yarn, in crochet magazines and the OML "Make" book.

Learn more about Janne.



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