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 by making a small sample so you can get comfortable with the stitch.

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.

What to Do Next

Now that you’ve learned the half double crochet stitch, the best way to get comfortable with it is to use it in a real project.

If you’d like to practice in a simple and beginner-friendly way, this pattern is a great next step. Noah Cowl.