Learn to Half Double Crochet Stitch

The half-double crochet stitch abbreviated HDC is one of the basic stitches in crochet. Beginner-friendly as well as a handy trick in advanced projects, HDC is fun to make. It is used for a wide variety of projects, such as baby blankets, pillows, scarves, and warm sweaters.

The half-double crochet stitch (HDC) is a stitch that falls between a single and a double crochet stitch. In UK patterns, it is named half-treble crochet stitch (HTR). HDC is shorter than DC but higher than SC and makes a solid fabric without holes.

If you are a beginner and just want to practice gather your supplies.

1. Crochet Hook - You can practice the stitch with any crochet hook in your craft collection. Make sure to choose 5.5 mm (I) crochet hook, 6 mm (J) crochet hook or 6.5 mm (K) crochet hook. They are the most commonly used ones allowing to clearly view stitches. You can also make HDC with Tunisian crochet hooks, just don’t attach the interchangeable cord.
2. Yarn - The yarn weight must be one that matches your crochet hook size. Take any scrap from previous projects.

Step-by-Step Half Double Crochet (HDC) for Beginners

Step 1: If you are starting a new project, the begin with a slip knot and a chain. Say for instance, make 20 stitches to serve at the foundation and work your stitches into.

Step 2: Yarn over (YO) from back to front of the crochet hook.

Step 3: Insert the hook into the 2nd chain.

Step 4: Yarn over (YO) and pull three loops on the hook.

Step 5: Yarn over (YO) and pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook.

You have completed a half-double crochet (HDC) stitch.

Continue across the row.

To continue with another row of half-double crochet (HDC) stitch, chain 2. As this is just for practice make sure to count the turning chain as a stitch but when you are following a pattern pay attention if the turning chain is counted as a stitch or not. Make sure to read the notes carefully to know what the pattern designer intends.

After the last stitch of the row or pattern, leaving a 6-inch yarn tail and cut the yarn. Weave in the yarn ends with a finishing needle and tighten it securely.

Half Double Crochet Increase and Decrease

All stitches in crochet have the techniques for increase and decrease. Many times a pattern instructs you to increase or decrease without telling how to do it. So, it’s important when you learn to HDC you also understand increase and decrease.

To work a HDC increase, you need to make two stitches in one. You can also make more than two stitches at one time. This works the same easy as HDC but without completing the final step you add more loops on the hook.

A half-double crochet decrease abbreviated as hdc2tog (half-double crochet two together) or simply HDC Dec means that you start with a HDC but leave it unfinished at the last step and then make another HDC. You finish both stitches by drawing yarn through all loops. For a decrease too, you can work on more than two stitches.

Ways to Work with Half Double Crochet

A half-double crochet stitch can be used instead of DC for a shorter design that looks the same. When you have a project that you would not want to have the tight fabric of single crochet (SC) or the open fabric of Double Crochet (DC), choose the mid-way.

You can change the appearance of a basic stitch like half-double crochet by working into only one of the loops instead of into both of them. The standard half double crochet, you’ll insert your yarn through the top two loops, which are otherwise called the front loop and the back loop. You can create variations of the standard HDC stitch loop by working in the back loop, front loop, third loop, or combinations of loops.

“Half-double crochet in the back loop only”, abbreviated as HDC BLO means you’ll make the HDC as normal but the only thing that changes is where you’ll insert your hook. Instead of inserting the crochet hook under both the front and back loops of each stitch, you’ll insert the hook under the back loop only. This simple difference will totally change the look of the finished swatch, giving it a ribbed, knit-look appearance.

HDC shell stitches make beautiful edging for blankets.

One of the most important things to remember when learning or teaching crochet is to have patience. Just keep practicing, and, in time, you will get there.

Source by- https://medium.com/@lanternmoonhandcrafted/how-to-half-double-crochet-stitch-33fdd9d05b36