How to Half Double Crochet (hdc) for Beginners
Welcome to Learn to Crochet!
This lesson is part of my Learn to Crochet email course, where I walk you through the fundamentals of crochet step by step while you make your own market bag.
If you're following along with the email course, this is Week 3. If you found this lesson on your own, welcome! You can work through the lessons at your own pace or join the free email course to have each lesson delivered to your inbox.
Let's get started!
Now that you've learned the single crochet, it's time to learn another foundational crochet stitch: the half double crochet (hdc).
Half double crochet is slightly taller than single crochet, which means your projects work up faster while still creating a soft, sturdy fabric. It's a popular stitches for garments, blankets, hats, scarves, and baby projects.
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch the video below, then follow along with the written instructions and photos while you practice.
Before We Begin
If you've already learned the single crochet, you'll notice that a half double crochet feels very similar.
The biggest difference is that you'll begin with a yarn over before inserting your hook.
That one extra movement creates a taller stitch.
How to Start a Row of Half Double Crochet
Grab your completed foundation chain.
Unlike a single crochet, you'll begin by making a yarn over before inserting your hook.
For a half double crochet row:
Yarn over.
Skip the first two chains closest to your hook.
Insert your hook into the third chain from the hook, working through the top loop and back hump of the foundation chain.
Those two skipped chains give your first row the height needed for a half double crochet
Now you're ready to make your first stitch.
How to Make a Half Double Crochet Stitch
Step 1
Yarn over.
Step 2
Insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.
Step 3
Yarn over.
Step 4
Pull up a loop.
You should now have three loops on your hook.
Step 5
Yarn over one more time.
Step 6
Pull through all three loops on your hook.
Congratulations! You've just made your first half double crochet.
Continue Across the Row
Continue making one half double crochet in each remaining chain across the foundation chain.
Remember, every stitch follows the same six movements:
Yarn over
Insert your hook
Yarn over
Pull up a loop
Yarn over
Pull through all three loops
When you reach the end of the row, you've completed your first row of half double crochet.
Turning Your Work
We've reached the end of the row! Before we can crochet back across, we need to bring our yarn up to the correct height for the next row.
For a half double crochet, make 2 chain stitches. This is called the turning chain because it prepares you to turn your work and begin the next row.
Think of the turning chain like a small stepping stool, it lifts your hook to the height of a half double crochet stitch so your edges stay even. Since a half double crochet is taller than a single crochet, it needs two turning chains instead of one.
Now turn your work like you're turning the page of a book.
Working the Second Row
Now you're no longer working into the foundation chain.
Instead, you'll crochet into the stitches you just made.
Look along the top of your work. You'll see a row of small V-shaped stitches.
Insert your hook under both loops of the V in the first stitch, then complete a half double crochet just like before.
Continue across the row.
Understanding the Extra Bar
You'll notice that a half double crochet looks a little different from a single crochet.
Because each stitch begins with a yarn over, every completed half double crochet has a small horizontal bar just below the top V-shaped loops.
When making a standard half double crochet, you'll insert your hook under the top V, not the horizontal bar.
Some patterns intentionally use the horizontal bar to create different textures, but unless your pattern tells you otherwise, always work into the top V-shaped loops.
How to Count Half Double Crochet Stitches
Count each V-shaped stitch across the top of your work.
Don't count:
The loop on your hook
Your turning chain (unless your pattern specifically says it counts as a stitch)
Keeping the same stitch count every row will help your edges stay straight.
Common Beginner Mistakes
I Forgot the First Yarn Over
This is the most common mistake beginners make. Before inserting your hook, ask yourself:
"Did I yarn over first?"
If not, just remove the stitch and try again.
I Only Have Two Loops on My Hook
After pulling up a loop, you should have three loops on your hook.
If you only have two, you probably forgot the first yarn over.
My Edges Keep Getting Wider or Narrower
Place a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of every row while you're learning.
Then count your stitches before starting the next row.
This simple habit helps you avoid accidentally adding or skipping stitches.
Half Double Crochet Cheat Sheet
Abbreviation: hdc
Turning Chain: Chain 2
Starting Foundation Chain to Work Into: Third chain from the hook
Fabric Characteristics: Medium-height, soft, and moderately dense with good drape
Common Uses: Blankets, scarves, hats, garments, bags, and home décor.
Continue Learning
If you're learning crochet on your own, continue with the next lesson in the Learn to Crochet series: How to Double Crochet.
Taking the email course? Your next lesson and practice assignment will be in your next email.