How to Half Double Crochet (HDC)

The half double crochet, written “hdc” in patterns, sits right in the middle of the basic stitches. It’s taller than single crochet and shorter than double crochet. It works up faster than single crochet but still makes a fabric that’s warm and fairly solid. That’s why so many beanies, scarves, and blankets use it.

This guide shows you how to half double crochet one step at a time, using US terms. It covers your first row, how to handle the turning chain, and how to keep your stitch count steady. You should already know how to chain and single crochet before you start.

What You’ll Need

Medium weight (#4) worsted yarn in a light, smooth color
A 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
Locking stitch markers
Small scissors
A tapestry needle

Smooth acrylic or cotton yarn is best while you learn. It’s easier to see the three loops on your hook, which is the key step in this stitch.

How HDC Compares to Other Stitches

Stitch	Abbreviation	Yarn overs before inserting	Height (about)	Start in this chain
Single crochet	sc	0	1 chain	2nd from hook
Half double crochet	hdc	1	2 chains	3rd from hook
Double crochet	dc	1	3 chains	4th from hook

The one big difference from single crochet is that you yarn over before you put the hook in. The one big difference from double crochet is that you finish by pulling through all three loops at once. In UK patterns, this same stitch is called a “half treble” (htr).

How to Half Double Crochet: The First Row

Step 1: Make a slip knot and chain 17. That gives you 15 half double crochet stitches. The two extra chains bring the yarn up to the right height.

Step 2: Yarn over. Wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front before you do anything else.

Step 3: Find the third chain from the hook. Don’t count the loop on the hook. Insert your hook into that chain.

Step 4: Yarn over and pull up a loop through the chain. You’ll now have three loops on your hook. Stop and look. This is the moment that makes it a half double.

Step 5: Yarn over again.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through all three loops at once. You’ll have one loop left. That’s one half double crochet.

Step 7: Yarn over, insert your hook into the next chain, and repeat steps 4 to 6. Keep going in every chain to the end.

Count your stitches. You should have 15.

Turning and the Second Row

Step 1: At the end of the row, chain 2. This is your turning chain.

Step 2: Turn your work like a page in a book.

Step 3: Yarn over, then insert your hook into the very first stitch, the one right at the base of the chain 2. Go under both top loops.

Step 4: Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook).

Step 5: Yarn over and pull through all three loops.

Step 6: Repeat in every stitch across, ending in the last stitch of the row. Don’t work into the turning chain.

Step 7: Count again, then chain 2 and turn.

In this guide, the chain 2 does not count as a stitch. Some patterns do count it as the first hdc. Then you’d skip the first stitch and work your last stitch into the top of the turning chain. Always read the pattern’s notes so you know which way it wants you to work.

The Hidden Third Loop

Look at the back of a row of half double crochet. Just below the top V of each stitch, you’ll see an extra horizontal bar. Some people call it the “third loop” or “camel loop.”

You don’t need it for regular half double crochet. But if a pattern says “hdc in the third loop,” that’s the bar it means. Working into it pushes the top V forward and makes a ribbed, knit-look texture. It’s popular for beanies and ear warmers. Try it after you’re comfortable with the basic stitch.

Practice Project Idea

A simple ear warmer is a perfect first hdc project. Chain enough to match the width you want, about 4 inches. Then work rows of hdc until the strip wraps around your head. Seam the short ends together with a tapestry needle. It’s quick, it’s useful, and you’ll get lots of practice turning.

If you’d like to watch the stitch before you try it, The Loopy Lamb has a free photo-and-video tutorial, How to Half Double Crochet (HDC). Yarnspirations also has a short free walkthrough, Half Double Crochet (HDC) Video Tutorial.

Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Forgetting the first yarn over. If you insert the hook without wrapping first, you end up with a single crochet. Say “over, in” before each stitch until it sticks.
Pulling through only two loops. That turns the stitch into the start of a double crochet. For hdc, always pull through all three loops in one move.
The three loops won’t come through. The loops are too tight. When you pull up a loop through the stitch, lift it a little taller so the hook can glide through all three.
Edges creep inward or outward. Use a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row, and count every row.
Mixing up turning chain rules. Decide whether your chain 2 counts as a stitch, then stay with that choice for the whole project.
Missing the last stitch. The final hdc of a row can hide next to the turning chain. Look for the last V before you turn.

Tips

Practice 10 rows of hdc on one swatch before you start a real project.
Keep each pulled-up loop the same height. Even loops make an even fabric.
Tilt the hook slightly down as you pull through three loops so nothing slips off.
If pulling through three loops feels hard, try a hook one size bigger.
HDC uses more yarn than single crochet but less than double crochet. Keep that in mind if you swap stitches in a pattern.
Left-handed? The steps are exactly the same in mirror image.

FAQ

Does the chain 2 count as a stitch in half double crochet?
It depends on the pattern. Many modern patterns say the chain 2 does not count, so you work your first hdc into the first stitch. Older patterns often count it, so you skip the first stitch and work into the turning chain at the end. Check the pattern notes before you start.

Is half double crochet good for blankets?
Yes. It makes a soft, warm fabric that isn’t as dense as single crochet, and it grows quicker. Many beginner blankets use only hdc. A worsted yarn with a 5.5 mm or 6 mm hook gives a cozy drape that’s still easy to see and count.

What’s the difference between hdc and dc?
Both start with a yarn over. In half double crochet, you pull through all three loops at once. In double crochet, you pull through two loops, then two loops again. That extra step makes double crochet taller and a little more open, while hdc stays shorter and denser.

Once your half double crochet rows look even, you’re ready to try the taller double crochet.