In this ninth post in my learn to crochet series, we’re going to learn how to half double crochet! We’ve already learned:
- Crochet Terms and Abbreviations (a free printable chart)
- Basic Supplies Needed to Crochet
- How to Hold a Crochet Hook
- How to Make a Slip Knot
- How to Hold Crochet Yarn
- How to Crochet a Chain
- How to Single Crochet
- How to Double Crochet
Today, I’ve prepared three ways for you to learn how to half double crochet. First, you’ll find a video tutorial, then a picture tutorial and a written tutorial. So, no matter how you learn best, you’ll find what you need to easily master this stitch!
But, first, let’s take a look at the equipment and supplies (aka materials) you’ll need to have readily available to crochet along with this tutorial.
Materials Used in this Tutorial
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Before we begin, you’ll want to make sure you have the following supplies on hand so you can follow along with this crochet tutorial:
- Yarn – Any yarn will do, but I’ve found the easiest to work with, especially for beginners, is worsted weight yarns like Wool-Ease. You may also want to choose a light color as it is harder to see your stitches with dark yarns. At least for learning, you’ll want to choose a light colored yarn.
- Crochet Hook – If you’re just starting out, it may be easier for you to learn to crochet using a larger hook. I recommend learning with a size H (5.0mm) crochet hook, like this ergonomic hook from Clover. This hook is large enough that you can see the individual stitches.
- Scissors – You’ll find that having a small pair of scissors on hand will be an essential tool as you begin to work on crochet projects.
I usually just have a little 5″ pair of these Fiskars scissors on hand, but any small pair will work just fine!
You can purchase yarn, crochet hooks and scissors at your local craft store or online from Amazon, Craftsy, Yarnspirations or even Etsy, to mention a few.
Half Double Crochet Video Tutorial
Since I can’t actually be in your home sitting beside you and teaching you in person how to crochet, I’m doing the next best thing with video. If you learn by watching, I hope this video helps. I’ve also included written instructions and pictures below that will help to reinforce learning how to half double crochet.
If you found this video helpful, you might want to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I actually make videos available there before I share them here on the blog, so you’ll be the first to know and a step ahead!
Half Double Crochet Photo Tutorial
As the name implies, half double crochet is worked the same as a double crochet, minus one step and works up to be about half as tall. When you read a crochet pattern or instructions, the term “half double crochet” is usually abbreviated “hdc”. For example:
Ch 30.
Row 1 (right side): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, *skip next 3 ch, hdc in next ch; repeat from * 5 times, skip next 3 ch, hdc in last ch, turn.
In the above example, this project begins with a chain of 30. So, you would start this project out with a slip knot on your crochet hook, followed by 30 chain stitches. You’ll also notice that half double crochet is listed as “hdc”. Row 1 starts out with a hdc in the 3rd ch (chain) from the hook. The instructions contained between the two asterisks (*) are repeated 5 times. This will make more sense as we move along in our learn to crochet series.
The half double crochet stitch is super easy. As I’ve said before:
The important thing in crocheting is learning to create stitches that are consistent in size.
The best way to accomplish this is practice, practice, practice! You may get tired of hearing me say this, but I promise you, the more comfortable you are with the basic stitches, the easier it will be for you to transition to more difficult stitches and projects. Do I sound like a broken record yet?
I really believe this and can’t stress enough how important it is for you to be confident in your crocheting abilities before you move on to bigger projects. There is nothing more frustrating than to spend hours and hours and days upon days crocheting something and then have it turn out lopsided or sloppy looking. I want you to enjoy crocheting and have the best results possible. So, practice those stitches until you feel comfortable and confident and you’re able to produce consistently sized stitches.
How to Half Double Crochet
For the purpose of this tutorial, I’m going to assume you’ve already made a slip knot and crocheted a number of chains. In the pictures below, I’ve already crocheted 3 rows of double crochet.
- Wrap the yarn around your hook (this is called “yarn over” and abbreviated “yo”).
- Insert hook into next stitch. (If you’re starting with a chain, you’ll typically start in the 3rd chain from the hook for a hdc.)
- Yarn over.
- Pull yarn through stitch loop. You will now have three loops on your crochet hook.
- Yarn over.
- Pull yarn through all three loops.
- Half double crochet made. Continue with steps 1-6.
That seems pretty easy, right?! Seriously. The best possible way for you to become comfortable with chaining, single crocheting or double crocheting is to practice! Just keep practicing it over and over until it feels natural and your stitches are consistent in size.
We are really making progress in this learn to crochet journey. I hope you’re feeling good about your progress! You’ve, hopefully, already armed yourself with your crochet terms printable cheat sheet, have your basic crochet supplies purchased, have learned how to hold a crochet hook, how to hold crochet yarn and how to make a slip knot. Plus, you’ve now learned how to crochet a chain, how to single, double and half double crochet. See, I told you that you’d be crocheting up a storm in no time!
By the way, if you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. I’ll be glad to try to answer and assist you in your crochet journey!
Happy crocheting…
