Half Double Crochet Stitch – Examining the HDC

Let’s take a look at the Half Double Crochet stitch. When working with the half double crochet stitch you will notice that patterns use the abbreviation HDC.

The following is how to work a hdc stitch.

“Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through all loops on hook.”

Once you work your half double crochet stitch you will notice that you have your front and back loops and a loop is created on the wrong side of your work as shown below.

When working with any stitch you will work under the front and back loops together unless otherwise specified by the pattern. Some patterns will state to work in the front loops (fl) only or the back loops (bl) only and sometimes with the hdc stitch patterns will require to work in the wrong side loop and front loop.

I have included two test samples, one to work the hdc in the front and back loops and the 2nd sample is how to work in the wrong side loop and front loops to show the effect it has on the half double crochet stitch.

Half Double Crochet Stitch Test Sample 1..

For the first test sample work the stitches in the front and back loops of the hdc.

Ch 13, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (12 hdc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn work, hdc in each hdc across. (12 hdc)

Row 3 – 6: rep row 2.

When working in the front and back loops of the hdc in rows you will notice that the work will end up with loops on both sides of the work as shown below (Hover over image to view the wrong side of the work).

Now we will work the half double crochet stitch a little differently to force the loops to one side of our work.

Half Double Crochet Stitch Test Sample 2..

For the second test sample work in front and back loops unless otherwise specified.

Ch 13, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (12 hdc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn work, hdc in each hdc across. (12 hdc)

Row 3: for this row work in the wrong side loop and front loop, hdc in each hdc across. (12 hdc) Note: This row is worked looking at the right side of work.

Row 4 – 6: consecutively rep rows 2 & 3.

By working the right side rows of work in the wrong side loop and front loop it forces the wrong side loops all to the wrong side of work as shown below. (Hover over image to view the wrong side of the work).

This is not something that is necessary to do as it is more for aesthetic reasons, see the image below of a hood I worked up. All the loops are forced to the inside of the hood.

Check out these other free crochet patterns using this half double crochet stitch technique.

• Snow Bear Scoodie
• Snow Bear Kid Scoodie
• Homespun Hood
• Hello Kitty Newborn Hat & Diaper Cover

For more crochet tutorials visit my Crochet Resources page or my YouTube channel.

~Happy Hooking~