Half double crochet, usually shortened to "hdc", is a fairly common type of stitch used in crochet patterns. This stitch is a simple stitch, even most beginners can usually master this stitch in no time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Half Double Stab (hdc)
Step 1. Tie the thread
Wrap the yarn around your hakken, doing it from back to front.
- Tie the thread only once.
- Hook the thread to the end of the hook, just below the open part of the hook and above the loop that is already on your hook.
Step 2. Insert the hook into the puncture hole
Insert the end of the hook into the hole where you want the half double stitch to be hooked.
- If you're following a crochet pattern, this stitch hole is usually specified in the pattern instructions.
- Only the tip of the hook needs to be inserted into the puncture hole. You don't need to pull another loop of yarn.
Step 3. Tie the thread
From the back side, hook the thread to the end of the hook and into or just below the exposed part of the hook.
Like the previous step, you need to tie the yarn only once by winding the yarn from back to front
Step 4. Pull the next loop
Pull the thread hook back toward the front of the puncture hole. This movement will turn the yarn hook into a loop.
- In this position, you should get a total of three loops on your hakken.
- Note that the open end of the hook must hook the thread as you will be pulling it forward again.
- If you're having trouble pulling the hook back, you may need to apply a little pressure to the chain or row stitch by pinching it between the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand (the hand that's not holding the hakken).
Step 5. Tie the thread
Wrap the yarn around the end of the hook once, winding it from the back to the front.
For this yarn crochet, make sure that the exposed part of the hook catches the yarn you are wrapping
Step 6. Pull through all three loops on the hook
Pull the yarn through the three loops located under the yarn hook on your hook.
- The hook of the thread will be on the open side of the hook and the three loops should be all the way through the top of the hook.
- You may need to turn the hook so that the exposed part of the hook is facing down as you pull it through the three loops on the hook. Otherwise, the exposed part of the hook may be caught in one or more loops by accident.
- This step is the final part of making one half double crochet.
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Making Half Double Stitches on a Basic Chain
Step 1. Make a basic chain
Tie the yarn to your hakken using a slip knot, then make a basic chain one stitch longer than the half double crochet used in your first row.
- For example if your first row must have 15 and a half double stitches, you must have 16 chain stitches.
- If you need help making slip knots on your hakken or making chain stitches, please refer to the “Tips” section of this article for further instructions.
Step 2. Skip the first two chains
When making a half double crochet, count three chains from your hakken. You will skip the first two chains and start working the half double crochet on the third chain.
- Note that the two chains you cross will count as a “turning chain”. This turning chain is a small chain made at the beginning of a row to increase the height of a row according to the height of the stitch used.
- Don't count the loops on your hakken as chains.
Step 3. Knit half double crochet
Make a half double crochet on the third chain of your hakken, following the instructions outlined earlier in the “Half Double Stitch” section of this article.
- Tie the yarn once, doing it from back to front.
- Insert the end of the hakken into the third chain of your hakken.
- Tie the yarn once, doing it from back to front.
- Pull this thread hook back into the eyelet and the front of the chain. At this position there should be three loops in your hakken.
- Tie the thread one more time, doing it from back to front.
- Pull this last crochet thread through all three loops on your hakken. This step is the final part of making one half double crochet.
Step 4. Knit another half of the double crochet
For the next half double crochet, you don't need to go through multiple chains. Work the half double crochet directly on the next hole of the chain.
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Follow the same steps as before:
- Tie the thread.
- Insert the hakken into the next puncture hole.
- Tie the thread.
- Pull the thread hook to the front of the chain stitch.
- Tie the thread.
- Pull the thread hook through the three loops on the hook.
Step 5. Repeat along the chain stitch
To complete a full row of half double crochet, continue to make half double crochet until you reach the last stitch of the chain. Don't miss any of the remaining chain stitches by working each half of the double crochet directly on the chain next to the stitch you just finished.
- When you're done, there should be half a double crochet that's one stitch away from the number of chain stitches. For example, if your base chain is 16 stitches, you should be able to complete 15 half double stitches. This number includes the "back chain" (two skipped chain stitches) at the beginning of the row.
- Note that in most crochet works, you'll need to flip the knitting over when you reach the end of a row, before you start working on the next row.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Making Half Double Stitches on Other Rows
Step 1. Make a reverse chain
Make two chain stitches from the loop on your hakken to complete this reverse chain.
- The turning chain aims to elevate a row according to the stitch height used, before we start working on the actual stitch.
- When you count the number of stitches at the end of a row, this reverse chain will count as one and a half double stitches.
- If you need help making a chain stitch, please refer to the “Tips” section of this article for additional instructions.
Step 2. Pass one puncture hole
Pass the stitch in the first half of the double crochet from the previous row. As you work that stitch, you'll be working the second half of the double crochet from the previous row.
Note that you'll be using the same concept if you're working a row of half double stitches on rows with a different stitch type. You'll still be making the reverse chain and going through the hole directly under the reverse chain
Step 3. Work one half double crochet on the next stitch
Make a regular half double crochet in the second stitch of the previous row. When you insert the hook into the stitch hole, slide it from front to back and make sure your hakken goes through the top two loops of the previous row of stitches.
- Tie the thread from the back to the front.
- Thread the hook into the top two loops on the second stitch of the previous row.
- Tie the thread from the back to the front.
- Pull the crochet back toward the front of your row, making three loops on your hakken.
- Tie the thread from the back to the front
- Pull this crochet back through all three loops on your hook to complete the half double crochet.
Step 4. Repeat along the rows
To complete a full row of half double crochets, work one to half double crochet in the top two loops of each stitch of the previous row.
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Then, reuse the basic steps to make the following half double crochet:
- Tie the thread.
- Insert the hakken into the next puncture hole.
- Tie the thread.
- Pull the thread hook toward the front of your row.
- Tie the thread.
- Pull the thread hook through all three loops on your hakken.
- Don't miss another stitch as you work along the row.
- You'll usually need to reverse the crochet, if you plan on making another row after the one you're working on.
- The row of half double stitches you added should be completed using the same steps described here.
Tips
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To make slip knots on your hakken:
- Make a loop on your finger by crossing the end of your thread under the thread wrapped around your finger.
- Press the twisted yarn into the loop from the bottom, creating a second loop.
- Tighten the first loop around the second loop.
- Insert the hook into the second loop and secure the second loop on the hook.
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To make a chain stitch:
- Hook the thread on the hook, winding the thread between the open part of the hook and the loop on your hook.
- Pull this thread hook through the loop on your hook to complete the chain stitch.
