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Hello and welcome to Learn to Crochet with RTC! Today we will learn how to make a half double crochet stitch – or “hdc.”
If you have been following Learn to Crochet here on Rich Textures Crochet, you will now have learned various things about yarn (All About Yarn) and hooks (All about Crochet hooks, Needles and Notions), and how to hold them. You will also know how to make a slip knot (How to make a slip knot), a foundation chain (How to Make a Chain Stitch) and a single crochet (sc) stitch (How to make a Single Crochet). Today we will learn how to make a half double crochet stitch.
The half double crochet stitch is found in many crochet patterns. In a written crochet pattern you will find it abbreviated as “hdc.”
For example, in a written crochet pattern you may see something like “hdc in each of the next 5 sts.” This means that you will make one half double crochet stitch in each of the next five stitches.
Let’s take a closer look at how the half double crochet stitch is made. Following this photo tutorial, you will also a free video tutorial.
In order to make a half double crochet, you will need to have a foundation chain or stitch below to work in (again, feel free to check out the other tutorials linked above!).
I will start by making a foundation chain.
Step One: Make a slip knot
Step Two: Make a Foundation Chain (For my foundation chain I will chain a total of 11 chains. This will mean that I will work 10 stitches as the last chain is considered my “turning chain.” It is not counted as a stitch.):
Step Three: Yarn over (bring your yarn over the top of your hook), insert your hook in the second chain from your hook (I like to work in the back bumps of the chain. You will insert your hook from the front to the back):
Step Four: Yarn over (place your yarn over your hook), pull the yarn through the chain stitch pulling up another loop on your hook. You will now have three loops on your hook.
Step Five: Yarn over, pull the yarn through all three of the loops on your hook. You will be left with one loop on your hook.
Continue repeating steps three to five in each of the chain stitches until you reach the end.
Next you will need to turn your work so that you can make another row of half double crochet stitches on top of the ones just made.
Next, make one chain stitch and turn your work so that your are working back across.
To make a half double crochet in the first stitch you will yarn over, insert your hook from the front to the back and under the top horizontal loops. Looking at it from the top, your will insert your hook under the “V.”
Now continue as you did before:
Yarn over once again and pull up a loop (three loops are now on your hook).
Yarn over one last time, and pull your loop through all three of the loops on your hook. You will be left with one remaining loop on your hook.
Repeat again across to the last stitch.
(Above: Two rows of half double crochet stitches)
Have fun! Go ahead and make some rows of half double crochet stitches until you are feeling confident! Check out the video below which shows you the steps to this stitch.
I look forward to showing you the next step in your Learn to Crochet journey soon!
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Happy Crocheting!
Sarah
