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!
Find more: Easy Crochet Stitches.
Table of Contents
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The steps of Front Loop Half Double Crochet
A quick written description:
- 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
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About the Front Loop Half Double Crochet
Learn how to crochet the Front Loop Half Double Crochet stitch. This unique stitch can be used to create beautiful texture in projects.
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.
Project level: Easy
Materials
Crochet Hook
Use any crochet hook size that works with your yarn.
Yarn
Use any yarn you like for this stitch.
In this tutorial we used worsted weight yarn.
If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested to get the correct gauge.
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:
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.
Instructions for the Front Loop Half Double Crochet
Step-by-step Photo Instructions
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.
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.
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.
Pull up a loop. You have 3 loops on your crochet hook.
Yarn over (yo) from back to front, ready for the final step of the FLhdc.
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 Crochet 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.
Turning Chains for Front Loop Half Double Crochet
For the half double crochet through the front loop only you need 2 turning chains.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
