Have you ever crocheted the Front Loop Half Double Crochet (FLhdc)? As crocheters we’re all excited to learn the basics and start exploring all of the new crochet stitches.
As crochet beginners, the front loop stitches is a great place to start.
This unique stitch can be used to create beautiful texture in projects such as crochet garments, baby blankets or even coasters!
In this blog post, I will go over what Front Loop Half Double Crochet is, materials needed, abbreviations used and how to do it step by step with both photo tutorials and video tutorials included. So if you’re ready to learn more about FLhdc then let’s get started!
What is the Front Loop Half Double Crochet
The front loop half double crochet is one of the crochet in the front loop only stitches.
Crocheters often learn either the regular half double crochet and then the back loop half double crochet before learning this front loop stitch.
The front loop half double crochet is a variation of the normal half double crochet stitch where you insert the crochet hook into the front loop only, otherwise the steps are the same.
The steps of the Front Loop Half Double Crochet Stitch:
- Yarn over
- Insert crochet hook into front loop only
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over
- Pull through the 3 loops on the crochet hook
- Repeat steps 1-5 to crochet another front loop half double crochet
Materials Needed
To crochet the front loop half double crochet you can use any crochet hook size and yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn weight suggested.
In this tutorial we used worsted weight yarn.
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Front Loop Half Double Crochet Abbreviations
The front loop half double crochet is abbreviated FLhdc or FLO hdc in crochet patterns.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
FLhdc Chart Symbol
The front loop half double crochet chart symbol is related to the half double crochet (hdc) stitch chart symbol.
It is a “T” like the regular half double crochet stitch, but also has a half circle below it pointing upwards representing that it’s worked into the front loop only.
It will be turned in the direction it will lay in your finished crochet work.
Photo showing the FLhdc crochet stitch chart symbol.
Crochet a blanket!
Use this crochet stitch pattern to crochet a blanket! Learn more about crochet blanket sizes & making one with any size crochet hook & yarn:
Front Loop Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial
In this photo tutorial (shown right handed) you will see how to crochet a front loop half double crochet stitch.
Grab a crochet hook in your right hand, make a slip knot and crochet foundation chain(s), you can crochet any number of stitches.
If you start crocheting directly into the foundation chains, work the first stitch into the 3rd chain from hook.
Front Loop Half Double Crochet Tutorial – Photo Step By Step
The step by step instructions below will show how to crochet one hdc through the front loop only and can be repeated to crochet more stitches.
1. Yarn over from back to front to start the FLhdc
The first step of the half double crochet through the front loop only is to yarn over from back to front like you would a regular half double crochet.
2. Identify the front and back loop
The next step is shown to help you identify the front and back loop of a crochet stitch. When you insert the crochet hook through a regular stitch like shown on this photo you insert the crochet hook through both the front and back loop.
The loop nearest you is the front loop, while the loop the furthest away from you is the back loop.
To crochet through the front loop only, you will insert the crochet hook through only one loop, not the whole stitch.
3. Insert crochet hook through the front loop only
To crochet the FLhdc you will insert hook through the front loop only. This is actually the only difference between a regular hdc and the FLhdc.
4. Pull up a loop
Pull up a loop. You have 3 loops on your crochet hook.
5. Yarn Over
Yarn over (yo) from back to front, ready for the final step of the FLhdc.
6. Pull hook through all 3 loops – FLhdc is finished
The final step of the FLhdc is to pull the crochet hook through all 3 loops on the crochet hook.
The first stitch is now finished.
Repeat step 1-6 to crochet the second stitch or next stitch of even more front loop half double stitches.
Front Loop Half Double Crochet Video Tutorial
How to Front Loop Half Double Crochet In Rows
To crochet front loop half double crochet stitches in rows, follow these steps:
- Start the row with 2 turning chains.
- Work front loop half double crochet in each stitch from previous row.
- After working into final stitch, you have finished a row of front loop half double crochet stitches. Turn your work.
- Repeat steps 1-3 to crochet more rows.
How to Front Loop Half Double Crochet In Rounds
To crochet front loop half double crochet stitches in rounds, follow these steps:
- Start the round with 2 turning chains.
- Work front loop half double crochet in each stitch from previous round.
- After working into final stitch, you have finished a round of front loop half double crochet stitches. Do not turn your work, but slip stitch into top chain from beginning of round.
- Repeat steps 1-3 to crochet more rounds.
Front Loop Half Double Crochet FAQ
How many turning chains do you need for the front loop half double crochet?
For the half double crochet through the front loop only you need 2 turning chains.
How do you crochet the front loop half double crochet in rows?
To crochet the half double crochet stitches in the front loop only start the first row with a FLhdc in 3rd ch from hook. Then crochet FLhdc stitches into each stitch until the end of the row. Turn your work, and start the second row or next row with 2 turning chains and FLhdc into each stitch from the previous row. Repeat to crochet a new row.
Is there a right side and wrong side on the front loop half double crochet stitch crochet projects?
No, the front loop half double crochet creates a reversible crochet fabric.
What is the UK term for the US term front loop half double crochet?
The UK term for the US front loop half double crochet is the front loop half treble crochet.
What is the difference between a front loop half double crochet, a back loop half double crochet and a regular half double crochet?
The regular hdc stitch is one of the basic crochet stitches and are worked into the whole stitch, the front loop half double crochet is worked into the front loop only (flo) and the back loop half double crochet is worked into the back loop only (blo).
Is the third loop half double crochet the same as the front loop half double crochet?
No, 3rd loop hdc is different from the hdc in the front loop only. The third loop is a loop created by the yarn over in the hdc stitch.
Front Loop Crochet Stitches – Step-By-Step Tutorials
- Front Loop Single Crochet
- Front Loop Half Double Crochet (this tutorial)
- Front Loop Double Crochet
- Front Loop Treble Crochet
