How to Half Double Crochet (hdc)

What is half double crochet in crochet?

Half double crochet sits between single and double crochet in height. It works up faster than single crochet but keeps a soft, dense texture, which makes it a favorite for hats, cowls, and blankets.

In US patterns it is abbreviated hdc. UK patterns call this stitch a half treble crochet (htr).

How do you work half double crochet step by step?

Here is the full sequence in US terms. Take it slowly the first few times, then it becomes muscle memory.

1. Yarn over before you insert your hook.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch, under both loops.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have three loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over one more time.
5. Pull through all three loops at once. One half double crochet is complete.

When do you use half double crochet?

Half Double Crochet turns up in a lot of patterns. Here is where it earns its place:

1. Hats and beanies, where you want warmth with a little give.
2. Cowls and scarves that work up quickly.
3. Blankets with a soft, dense texture.
4. Ribbing worked into the third loop for a stretchy edge.

What are the most common half double crochet mistakes?

A few snags catch almost everyone at first. Watch for these:

1. Pulling through two loops at a time like a double crochet. A half double closes all three loops in one go.
2. Missing the hidden third loop when a pattern asks for it.
3. Miscounting the starting chain-2, which some patterns count as a stitch and some do not.

How do you keep count while you work half double crochet?

Counting is where clean crochet is won or lost. Patterns tell you how many stitches per row and how many rows or rounds to work, and a miscount is the usual reason a piece ends up crooked. Mark the first stitch of each round, and count your stitches at the end of every row.

Some crocheters keep a paper tally, and some use an app like Worsted to count rows, hold their place in a pattern PDF, and note the yarn they used, so a project is easy to pick back up after a break. However you track it, staying on count is what turns a good pattern into a finished piece.