Half Double Crochet Stitch: How to HDC, More Advanced…

Sometimes it’s fun to go back to the basics. For example, the half double crochet stitch is one of the most popular foundational crochet stitches. We can learn this stitch … then we can learn all sorts of different ways to work with this stitch. Moreover, we can learn variations on the stitch that take this basic crochet lesson up to a more advanced level.

What is Half Double Crochet Stitch?

Half double crochet (abbreviated hdc) is a very simple beginner crochet stitch. When you first learn how to crochet, you learn how to chain. Then you learn either single crochet or double crochet stitch. The two stitches are worked very similarly; the latter just has more yarn overs. Well, as the name suggests, hdc is like working half of the double stitch. So in terms of height, it’s taller than the single crochet, shorter than the double crochet. It’s a favorite stitch among many people, including Marly Bird team member Kathryn.

How to Half Double Crochet Stitch

Here is how to work the half double crochet stitch:

In written directions, here’s what you’ll do:

• Yarn over.
• Insert crochet hook into the stitch where you want to create the half double crochet stitch.
• Yarn over.
• Pull through. You should now have three stitches on your crochet hook.
• Yarn over.
• Pull through all three stitches on the crochet hook.

That’s it! Note that if you were working the regular double crochet stitch, the final step above would read “pull through first two stitches on the hook.” Then you would yarn over and pull through the remaining two stitches on the hook. That’s why the dc is taller than the hdc. However, the basic moves are the same.

Variations on Half Double Crochet Stitch

There are a few different things that you can do to tweak this stitch. Doing so makes it a little more advanced. It also gives you more design options.

How to Extended HDC

The extended half double crochet adds just a little bit of height to the regular hdc. It’s not as tall as a dc stitch, though. Here’s how you do it:

• Yarn over.
• Insert crochet hook into the stitch where you want to create the half double crochet stitch.
• Yarn over.
• Pull through. You should now have three stitches on your crochet hook.
• Yarn over.
• Pull through one loop.
• Yarn over.
• Pull through all three stitches on the crochet hook.

As you can see, you add a step as compared to regular hdc, which is the step where you pull through one loop then yarn over again. If this were dc, you would pull through two loops there. So it’s just a slight variation, changing the height. If you didn’t know that there was a basic crochet stitch that’s in between the height of hdc and dc … well, now you do!

How to Crochet Linked HDC

When working a linked HD crochet, you are simply connecting two hdc stitches together. Linking your half double crochet stitches together creates a dense fabric. Therefore, it’s a great choice when you don’t want holes in your work. Making the linked HDC is done by eliminating the traditional yarn over. Rather than doing a yarn over to start your stitch you will go through the bar that was created the stitch before. The video shows best how to do this.

Projects and Patterns for HDC and HDC Variations

There are so many different ways to use hdc in projects. You could simply crochet rows and rows of it to create scarves, shawls, and blankets. We couldn’t possibly list all of the patterns that include this basic stitch. However, we can share a few here that use it in really unique ways:

HDC C2C

Corner-to-corner crochet (C2C) is such a great technique. As the name suggests, you work from one corner to the other. Most patterns that teach this technique use double crochet stitches. However, I Iike to use half double crochet stitch. Take a look:

You can work C2C crochet as a square or as a rectangle. My Holiday Snowflake C2C Blanket Free Pattern uses this technique. So does my Heart Throb Baby Blanket Free Pattern.

HDC V-Stitch

Similarly, the crochet v-stitch usually uses double crochet stitches, However, it’s very easy to make an hdc v-stitch variation, It’s a bit denser than the usual one but nevertheless has a nice openwork pattern.

Post Stitches, Chevrons, and More

You can apply the same idea with other common stitches patterns as well. For example, front post and back post crochet usually use double or treble stitches but can be done with hdc stitches as well. Likewise, chevron crochet can be worked with pretty much any basic stitch so try it with hdc, Anytime that you’re working with a dc as a main feature of a stitch pattern, ask yourself what would happen if you switched it to hdc. Remember that because it’s a shorter stitch, you may need more rows for the project, though.

You Might Also Like:

• Crochet Star Stitch Pattern. This is a more advanced stitch pattern that uses hdc for parts of it.
• How to Crochet a Standing Stitch. This is a helpful technique that you can apply to basic stitches including half double crochet stitch.
• Crochet and Knitting Techniques That Make Crafting Better

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the half double crochet stitch?

The half double crochet (hdc) sits in height between a single crochet and a double crochet… it’s taller than sc but shorter than dc. You yarn over BEFORE inserting your hook, then yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops at once. That’s it! The result is a dense, slightly textured stitch that creates a beautiful fabric with more give and softness than single crochet. It’s one of the most versatile and satisfying stitches in all of crochet.

What’s the turning chain for half double crochet?

Traditionally you chain 2 to turn for hdc rows. But here’s the thing many patterns don’t mention… that chain 2 often leaves a visible hole and counting confusion. Many experienced crocheters now use a stacked hdc (like the stacked dc technique!) to replace the turning chain for a cleaner edge. Another popular option is to just chain 1 and not count it as a stitch… this creates a denser edge without the gap. Try both and see which works better for your projects.

What is the “third loop” of the half double crochet?

The hdc is special because it has a hidden “third loop”… a horizontal strand at the back of the stitch that you don’t normally see or use. Working through this third loop (instead of the top two loops) creates a beautiful horizontal ridge effect that looks almost like knit fabric. This is the secret behind techniques like half double crochet through the third loop for knit-look projects, ribbing effects, and that gorgeous horizontal ridging you see in many modern crochet patterns. Once you know it’s there, you’ll use it everywhere.

What projects is the half double crochet good for?

Basically everything! The hdc creates a fabric that’s denser than dc but more flexible than sc… it’s a wonderful all-purpose stitch. Hats worked in hdc have great stretch and warmth. Blankets in hdc are cozy and work up at a nice pace. Garments and accessories benefit from hdc’s slightly more drapey quality compared to single crochet. Baby items are popular in hdc because the fabric is soft and flexible. If you’re wondering which stitch to use for a project and you’re not sure… hdc is often the right answer.

How is half double crochet different from a waistcoat or split single crochet?

They look different and create very different fabrics. Regular hdc is worked under the top two loops (or variations). The waistcoat stitch (split single crochet) is worked through the center “V” of the stitch body, not under the top loops at all. The waistcoat stitch creates a knit-like surface that hdc doesn’t. Hdc through the third loop creates a ribbed ridge effect unique to hdc. Each technique gives a different aesthetic. Understanding which variation creates which look expands your crochet vocabulary significantly.