Mastering Half Double Crochet Stitches: A Step-by-Step Guide and Tips
The half double crochet stitch is a fundamental stitch in crochet that falls between the height of a single crochet and a double crochet. It offers versatility and texture to your crochet projects. I will be talking about making the basic half double crochet unit and changes to it – like increases, decreases and how it can be used in special crochet stitches.
Get ready to elevate your crochet skills and bring your projects to life with the magic of the half double crochet stitch.
Table of Contents Show
What is a half double crochet stitch?
A half double crochet stitch is taller than a single crochet stitch height and shorter than a double crochet stitch height. Hence the term half double crochet.
What is half double crochet called?
The crochet abbreviation for half double crochet is HDC so it means that hdc5 involves half double crochet stitches in the next 5 stitches.
What is half double crochet UK?
There is no such thing as half double crochet in UK terms! A single crochet in US terms is a double crochet in UK terms. So a half double crochet in UK terms would means a half single crochet in US terms which does not exist!
How do you do a half double crochet?
The steps in making a half double crochet first and then making the hdc in the different situations after that.
1. Yarn over first, even before inserting the hook.
2. Then insert hook into desired stitch, where you want the half double crochet stitch to be.
3. Yarn over again.
4. Draw yarn through stitch, should have 3 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over for the last time.
6. Draw yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, to form the final half double crochet.
How to half double crochet in a chain?
Start off with yarn over first, then insert hook into the desired chain, yarn over again, draw yarn through chain, yarn over again, draw yarn through all 3 loops. If you are working from the end of the chain, remember to insert the hook into the second chain from hook. Otherwise, you could do a hdc stitch in the middle of the chain after increasing from a sc stitch. Try all variations in the chain!
How to half double crochet in a row?
After working up a foundation chain and then a row, then continue a new row with half double crochet stitches with steps 1-6 above. Just like for double crochet stitches above, if you work up a hdc from a sc in a row, there will be a more gradual upslope appearance. On the other hand, if you want to start the row with a hdc right from beginning, then read on.
How many do you chain for a half double crochet?
Since a half double crochet is in between the height of sc and dc, at the end of a row, use a chain of 2 and then turn, and continue to work the hdc into first stitch from the hook. Then finish up the rest of the row with half double crochet stitches.
What is half double crochet in a magic circle?
Repeat steps 1-4 above, yarn over first, then insert the hook into the centre of the magic circle, yarn over, pull loop through centre, yarn over again and draw through all 3 loops. Not a common way to start off magic rings but worth experimenting.
Learn all about “24 Easy Peasy things you need to know about Magic Ring in Crochet” here.
How to half double crochet in a round?
After finishing the first magic ring round, continue crocheting into the second round with half double crochet. Either continue from sc and progress to hdc or chain 2 first then work hdc into the first stitch of the round.
How do you half double crochet in the front loop only?
Yarn over first, insert hook underneath the front loop and out in between FLO and BLO. Then yarn over again, pull up loop, yarn over again, then draw through all 3 loops. This is a hdc FLO stitch.
How do you half double crochet in the back loop only?
Yarn over first, insert hook in between FLO and BLO and out behind the back loop. Then yarn over again, pull up loop, yarn over again, then draw through all 3 loops. This is a hdc BLO stitch.
What does it mean to increase half double crochet?
The height of a hdc stitch in between that of single crochet and double crochet. Do a hdc once and then repeat the hdc again in the same stitch.
What is the abbreviation of half double crochet increase?
The abbreviation for half double crochet increase is 2hdc in the next stitch. For my patterns, I use the abbreviation 2hdc1 or 2 half double crochet in the same 1 stitch.
What does 2hdc mean?
2hdc refers to a half double crochet increase. Some other pattern designers write it differently, which is just below.
What does HDC 2 mean?
Hdc2 on the other hand, refers to half double crochet in the next 2 stitches, not a half double crochet increase so remember not to get confused.
What does HDC INC mean?
This is the other way a hdc increase is written, which easier for some crocheters to follow. The pattern will be like this: 'hdc inc in the next st' instead of '2hdc in the next st'.
How do you increase a half double crochet stitch?
A simple half double crochet increase involves doing a regular half double crochet stitch first, then repeat another hdc stitch in the same stitch.
How do you increase half double crochet in the middle of a row?
With a half double crochet increase in the middle of a row, the resultant crescent shape will be skinnier than a dc version and fatter than an sc version. An example below:
Chain 6.
Row 1: Hdc1, 2hdc3, hdc1 - 8st
How many do you chain for a half double crochet increase?
Use a chain of 2 just before a half double crochet stitch. Because a hdc is shorter than a dc, you might not want to choose having the chain before the stitch and it might not have a very noticeable difference.
How do you increase a half double crochet at the end of a row?
You could increase a half double crochet right at the end of the row or you could include the preceding chain of 2 just before doing the double crochet increase. Here are the examples:
Chain 6.
Row 1: 2hdc1, hdc3, 2hdc1 - 7st
Or
Chain 6.
Row 1: (Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, ch2, 2hdc1), hdc3, 2hdc1 - 7st
Like I mentioned, because the hdc is pretty short, both examples might not be very significantly different.
How to increase half double crochet in the round?
As for the half double crochet in the round, do the preceding chain of 2 rather than not, to create a uniform flat circle.
Round 1: Magic ring sc10 - 10st
Round 2: (Sc1, ch2, 2hdc1), 2hdc9, sl st to top of ch2 - 20st
Round 3: (Ch2, hdc1), 2hdc1, (hdc1, 2hdc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch2 - 30st
Round 4: (Ch2, hdc1), hdc1, 2hdc1, (hdc2, 2hdc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch2 - 40st
Very much similar for hdc as for dc, except the chain is shorter, but the increases are all in the same fixed order.
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What is a 3 half double crochet increase?
On top of a regular half double crochet increase, a 3 half double crochet increase refers to 3 half double crochet stitches within the same stitch. It is a larger increase than just the 2 hdc above. It can go even higher which makes the stitch even thicker.
What is the abbreviation of 3 half double crochet increase?
The abbreviation for 3 half double crochet increase or 3 half double crochet in the same stitch would be ‘3 hdc inc’ or for me, my pattern would put 3hdc1, but the former is what is commonly used.
What is 3 HDC in crochet?
Likewise, 3 hdc refers to 3 half double crochet increase, or 3 half double crochet stitches in the same stitch.
How do you do a 3 half double crochet increase?
To do a 3 half double crochet increase (3 hdc inc), you will work three half double crochet stitches into the same stitch or space, effectively increasing the stitch count by two. Follow the steps for one half double crochet into the desired stitch, then repeat the same steps again another 2 more times into the same stitch. By doing this, you not only increase the height of the stitch (since it is a taller stitch) but you also make it wider.
How to do a 3 half double crochet increase in a row?
Repeat the same steps for half double crochet in the same stitch 3 times, this time while working along a row. Working multiple stitches into the same stitch will cause the row to widen, creating an increase in the stitch count, which might create a crescent like shape.
How to do a 3 half double crochet increase in a round?
Similarly for 3 half double crochet increase in a round, repeat the same step 3 times, again into the same stitch. This time the appearance, rather than widening the row, you would be widening the taller and circular appearance in a round.
Free Beginners Step-by-step Guide
Grab these 45-pages of cheat sheets that will help you with crochet stitches, magic rings, increases and decreases, FLO and BLO. Click on image on left for access!
What is a half double decrease?
To be honest, I generally don't use this decrease often but it's in here for completeness. It is somewhere in between a single crochet decrease and a double crochet decrease.
What is the abbreviation of half double crochet decrease?
Here are the abbreviations first before the steps involved.
What does HDC Dec mean in crochet?
Hdc Dec refers to half double crochet decrease or working 2 half double crochet stitches together. This short form is not used as often as the next one.
What does hdc2tog mean?
Hdc2tog is the more common abbreviation for a half double crochet decrease.
How do you decrease in half double crochet?
The steps involved are below:
1. Yarn over before inserting hook.
2. Insert hook into desired stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, should get 3 loops on hook.
3. Then yarn over again, insert hook into the next stitch.
4. Yarn over and draw up a loop again, should have 5 loops on hook.
5. Yarn over for a final time, then pull the yarn through all 5 loops on the hook, to get final hdc2tog.
Just a side note, do not confuse hdc2tog with a puff stitch too. The steps are really quite similar!
How do you decrease half double crochet in the middle of a row?
Work a hdc2tog more like a sc2tog, you could do it without any preceding chain like you would do for a double crochet decrease. See the example below:
Chain 11.
Row 1: Hdc2, hdc2tog3, hdc2 - 7st
(Alternatively, Row 1: Hdc2, hdc2tog in next 3st, hdc2 - 7st
Or, Row 1: Hdc2, hdc dec in next 3st, hdc2 - 7st)
How to decrease half double crochet at beginning of row?
This is similar to what I would do for sc2tog without the chain in front. Here the decreases in hdc are at both ends.
Chain 11.
Row 1: Hdc10 - 10st
Row 2: Hdc2tog1, hdc6, hdc2tog1 - 8st
It can similarly create a triangle effect with progressive rows like for sc2tog.
How to decrease half double crochet in the round?
When working in rounds, it is slightly different from rows. I would recommend to put the preceding chain of 2 just before working hdc stitches because it would make the circle more uniform.
Here is an example of a uniform decrease in a circle:
Round 1: Magic ring sc6 - 6st
Round 2: 2hdc6 - 12st
Round 3: (Hdc1, 2hdc1) x 6 - 18st
Round 4: (Hdc2, 2hdc1) x 6 - 24st
Round 5: Hdc24
Round 6: (Hdc2, hdc2tog1) x 6 - 18st
Round 7: (Hdc1, hdc2tog1) x 6 - 12st
Round 8: Hdc2tog6 – 6st
What is a 3 half double crochet decrease?
A 3 half double crochet decrease refers to half double crochet 3 together, or decrease down to 1 stitch from 3 stitches. This is also called a 3 half double crochet decrease or half double crochet 3 together!
What is the abbreviation of 3 half double crochet decrease?
The abbreviation for 3 half double crochet decrease is much like that for a regular decrease mentioned above, here are the 2 versions below.
What does hdc3tog mean in crochet?
So hdc3tog refers to half double crochet 3 stitches together, so it is technically more than a simple decrease. It is also called a 3 half double crochet decrease. For my own patterns, I tend to write hdc3tog1.
What is 3 hdc dec in crochet?
Decrease in stitches that are more than 2 half double crochet together are not commonly written this way but I've decided to include it because there are some patterns written this way. 3 hdc dec is technically the same as hdc3tog.
How do you half double crochet 3 together?
The steps involved are below:
1. Yarn over before inserting hook.
2. Insert hook into desired stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, should get 3 loops on hook.
3. Then yarn over again, insert hook into the next stitch.
4. Yarn over and draw up a loop again, should have 5 loops on hook.
5. Continue to yarn over again, insert hook into the next stitch, draw up a loop to get 7 loops on hook.
5. Yarn over for a final time, then pull the yarn through all 7 loops on the hook, to get final hdc3tog.
Similar steps to hdc2tog with additional loops and bringing 3 stitches down to just 1.
How to half double crochet 3 together in a row?
Much like the example for the decrease above for the hdc2tog, working a bigger decrease (hdc3tog) in a row can create a convex or even a crescent shape, even more curved than the example for the decrease above. See more below:
Chain 10.
Row 1: Sc9 - 9st
Row 2: Hdc3tog3 - 3st
Bigger decrease in the number of stitches, from 9 stitches to 3 stitches!
How to half double crochet 3 together in a round?
A 3 half double crochet decrease in a round narrows a sphere far quicker than just a hdc2tog decrease, if done uniformly around the round. Just like the example below:
Round 1: Magic ring sc6 - 6st
Round 2: 2sc6 - 12st
Round 3: (Sc1, 2sc1) x 6 - 18st
Round 4: Hdc3tog6 - 6st
Also consider if you do a 3hdc decrease (or hdc3tog) asymmetrically, meaning in a round, you do the cluster stitch on one side and the other side you leave regular half double crochet stitches, you will end up with a larger 'cap-like' appearance.
How to do a half double crochet bobble stitch?
Technically a half double crochet bobble stitch is also called a puff stitch! Here we will be doing a 4hdc bobble stitch or a puff stitch:
1) Yarn over first, insert hook into desired st, yarn over again and draw yarn through, should have 3 loops on hook.
2) Yarn over again, insert hook into same st, yarn over and draw through a long loop, should have 5 loops on hook now.
3) Repeat step 2 again another 2 more times until there are 9 loops on hook.
4) Yarn over final time and draw through all 9 loops on hook.
You have completed the half double crochet bobble stitch or the puff stitch!
How to crochet half double crochet bobble stitch in a row?
When crocheting bobble stitches along the row, leave a few regular single crochet stitches along the rest of the row as a few consecutive bobble stitches might not fit so well and the row might start to curve along the side. Remember to crochet bobble stitches on the rows that are facing the right sides, the appearance of the bulge will be different on right and wrong sides.
If you do not know how to tell your right sides from your wrong sides, whether for rows or rounds, check out this comprehensive article on '8 effortless ways to tell Which side of yarn is Right side in Crochet'.
How to crochet half double crochet bobble stitch in a round?
In general, for crocheting bobble stitches in a round, it is easier than the rows above, because you should be crocheting in a continuous clockwise direction and the bulge of the bobble stitch should always be facing outwards.
Follow the same steps as listed above and work the bobble stitches inside a round, also remember to leave some spaces in between each half double crochet bobble stitch.
Is a puff stitch the same as a bobble stitch?
A puff stitch is technically a half double crochet bobble stitch, while a bobble stitch routinely refers to a double crochet bobble stitch. See all the different steps involved in each type of special stitch with the following article “6 important things to know about Bobble Stitch Crochet”.
How to do a half double crochet popcorn stitch?
To make a 3hdc pop or a 3 half double crochet popcorn stitch, the following steps are involved.
1) Make a half double crochet stitch - yarn over first, then insert hook, yarn over, draw yarn through, yarn over again and draw through all 3 loops to form a hdc.
2) Repeat again another 2 more times into the same st to get 3hdc in the same st.
3) Drop the loop from hook. Insert hook into the 1st hdc done (both front and back loops).
4) Grab the dropped loop and draw it through the first hdc st.
5) The popcorn st looks like it is popping forward in the front.
6) Do a sc or a hdc in the next st to seal the popcorn st down securely.
Now you see the completed 3 half double crochet popcorn stitch.
How to crochet half double crochet popcorn stitch in a row?
Crochet a popcorn stitch like you would as stated in the steps above. Leave some space in between each half double crochet popcorn stitch with just regular single crochet stitches, especially if you are looking at wider popcorn stitches, like up to 5hdc popcorn or even larger.
Create your desired textured appearance by only crocheting popcorn stitches on the rows that are facing the right sides. If you do not know how to tell your right sides from your wrong sides, whether for rows or rounds, check out this comprehensive article on '8 effortless ways to tell Which side of yarn is Right side in Crochet'.
How to crochet half double crochet popcorn stitch in a round?
Crocheting popcorn stitches in a round is easier, because you should be crocheting in a continuous clockwise direction and the bulge of the popcorn stitch should always be facing outwards in one direction. Unless you intend for it to bulge inwards.
If you found this article useful, remember to pin to Pinterest for reference later or share there so that others might benefit from reading this too!
Conclusion for Half Double Crochet Stitches
In conclusion, the half double crochet stitch is a valuable addition to every crocheter's repertoire. With its intermediate height and unique characteristics, this stitch opens up a wide range of creative possibilities. Whether you're working on blankets, garments, accessories, or home decor, the half double crochet stitch brings texture, versatility, and visual interest to your projects.
Also, remember to grab my free 45-paged cheat sheet on how to crochet for beginners step by step with pictures PDF download below. It is basically a beginner printable crochet stitch guide with free printable crochet instructions for complete beginners!
Free Beginners Step-by-step Guide
Grab these 45-pages of cheat sheets that will help you with crochet stitches, magic rings, increases and decreases, FLO and BLO. Click on image on left for access!
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