How to Make a Half Double Crochet (hdc) – A Simple Stitch for Beginners

How to Make a Half Double Crochet (hdc) – A Simple Stitch for Beginners

If you're new to crochet, learning the half double crochet (hdc) is a great next step after the single crochet. It’s taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet—perfect for scarves, hats, baby items, and cozy blankets!


In this beginner-friendly tutorial, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make a half double crochet stitch using US crochet terms. Let's get started! 🧶


What is a Half Double Crochet?

The half double crochet (hdc) is one of the most useful stitches in crochet. It gives a nice texture, a bit of stretch, and works up faster than single crochet.

It’s a good choice when you want something soft and flexible but not too open like double crochet.


What You’ll Need

✔️ Yarn – any yarn you like (I recommend medium weight for beginners)

✔️ Crochet hook – check the yarn label for the right size


How to Make a Half Double Crochet – Step-by-Step

Let’s practice 10 half double crochet stitches.

Start with a foundation chain of 12 chains, because the first 2 chains count as a turning chain.

1️⃣ Yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook).

2️⃣ Insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.

3️⃣ Yarn over again and pull through the stitch. (You now have 3 loops on your hook.)

4️⃣ Yarn over one more time and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.

✨ That’s your first half double crochet!

Keep going in each chain across to finish your first row.