Rewards
Half double crochet (hdc) is the stitch that sits between single crochet and double crochet in height. It's taller than a single crochet, so rows grow faster, but shorter than a double crochet, so the fabric stays dense enough for hats, blankets, and bags.
The fabric has a soft, slightly ridged look. On the back of each row there's a horizontal bar under the top loops, called the "third loop," which gives hdc a little more drape than single crochet.
This is a beginner stitch. If you can single crochet, there's one new motion: yarn over before you insert the hook, then pull through all three loops at once.
Watch: Half Double Crochet Video Tutorial
Watch the hook pull through three loops in one motion at the end of each stitch, and where the first stitch of each row goes after the turning chain.
What You Need
Yarn: worsted weight, as in the swatch; the stitches are big enough to see what the hook is doing. A smooth, light-colored yarn shows the stitch best while you're learning.
Hook: 5.0mm (US H-8). Go up a half size if your chains come out tight.
Abbreviations (US terms): CH = chain; HDC = half double crochet; YO = yarn over; st(s) = stitch(es).
Stitch multiple: any number of stitches, plus 1 extra chain for the first row. The swatch chains 21 to get 20 stitches.
Half Double Crochet Written Pattern
Size: 6"x6"
Gauge: 4x4 = 13sts x 13 rows
Yarn: 15g or 23yds of DGY worsted weight recycled silk
Crochet Hook: 5.0mm
Abbreviations: CH- Chain; HDC - Half Double Crochet
Pattern:
CH 21
Row 1: Working into second CH from hook HDC. HDC in all CH sts. Turn.
Row 2: CH 2, HDC across. Turn.
Rows 3-12: Repeat row 2.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Yarn over first. Before the hook goes anywhere, wrap the yarn over it from back to front. Two loops on the hook. This is the step single crocheters forget.
- Insert the hook. For Row 1, go into the second chain from the hook. For every later row, go under both top loops of the next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. Three loops are now on the hook: the loop you just pulled up, the yarn over, and the working loop.
- Yarn over and pull through all three. One smooth pull. One loop remains and the stitch is finished. That's the difference from double crochet, which pulls through two loops twice.
- Turn and chain 2. The chain 2 lifts the yarn to the height of the new row. Work the first hdc into the first stitch of the row, at the base of the turning chain, and don't work into the turning chain at the end. That keeps every row at 20.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Count your stitches every row. Hdc rows lose a stitch most often at the start, when the first hdc skips the base stitch, or at the end, when the last stitch is missed. Twenty should stay twenty.
- Don't tug the last pull-through tight. Pulling through three loops wants a little slack. If your swatch feels stiff, loosen that final motion rather than the yarn over.
- Keep the yarn over on the hook. If the wrap slides off while you insert the hook, you'll make a single crochet by accident and the row will dip.
- Both sides look nearly the same. The third loop is a little more visible on one side; pick the side you prefer as the right side and mark it.
Half Double Crochet vs. Double Crochet
Both start with a yarn over. The difference is the finish: hdc pulls through all three loops at once, while double crochet pulls through two loops, then the last two. Double crochet is taller and more open, so it's faster for blankets but shows more light through. Hdc is shorter, denser, and warmer, which is why it's the usual choice for beanies. Gauge tells the story: this hdc swatch gets 13 rows to 4 inches, and the double crochet swatch gets 9.
What to Make With the Half Double Crochet Stitch
- Beanies and hats: hdc in worsted weight makes a warm, stretchy fabric that holds its shape. The how to crochet a beanie guide walks through sizing.
- Blankets: rows of hdc in bulky or worsted yarn go quickly and lie flat without a border.
- Dishcloths: a 30-stitch hdc square in cotton or sport weight is a one-evening project.
Related Stitches
- Single Crochet Stitch — the shorter sibling; learn it first if hdc feels tall.
- Double Crochet Stitch — the next height up, with one more pull-through.
- Ribbed Half Double Crochet — hdc worked in the back loop for a stretchy rib.
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Hdc looks good in any weight. For a swatch, use a worsted weight yarn like the one in the video. For a scarf or cowl with more drape, try a sport weight silk, hand-dyed by artisans in India, which shows the texture of the stitch without the bulk.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Half Double Crochet FAQ
Is half double crochet good for beginners?
Yes. It's single crochet plus one yarn over, and because the stitch is taller you see progress faster, which helps while you're learning tension.
What is the third loop in half double crochet?
It's the horizontal bar on the back of each hdc, just under the two top loops. Working into it instead of the top loops makes a knit-looking fabric, and it's the basis of several hdc variations.
Does hdc use more yarn than single crochet?
Per stitch a little more, but per inch of fabric it comes out close, since hdc rows are taller and you need fewer. This swatch used about 23 yards of worsted.
