The half double crochet stitch (hdc) is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly crochet stitches. It creates a fabric that is denser than double crochet but softer than single crochet, making it perfect for a wide range of projects.
In this tutorial, you'll learn exactly how to crochet the HDC stitch, when to use it, and how it compares to other stitches.
The half double crochet stitch is part of a group of beginner techniques you can explore in our guide to basic crochet stitches.
Table of contents
- What Is A Half Double Crochet?
- How to Half Double Crochet (Quick Steps)
- Step-by-step Instructions
- Watch The Half Double Crochet Stitch
- HDC is ideal for:
- HDC vs Other Crochet Stitches
- Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc2tog)
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Beginner Tips
- Related Crochet Tutorials
- Half Double Crochet FAQs
- What to Learn Next
- Mastering the Half Double Crochet Stitch
- Stay Connected
- Comments
What Is A Half Double Crochet?
The half double crochet (hdc) is a basic crochet stitch that sits between single crochet and double crochet in height
It:
- Works up quickly
- Creates a soft, slightly textured fabric
- Is used in everything from blankets to garments
It's one of the most important beginner stitches to learn.
How to Half Double Crochet (Quick Steps)
- Yarn over
- Insert hook into stitch
- Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)
- Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops
That's one half double crochet stitch.
Step-by-step Instructions
1 - Yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook from back to front).
2 - Insert the hook into the third chain from the hook (or the stitch you want to work into).
3 - Yarn over again and draw the yarn through the chain (or stitch).
4 - You should now have three loops on your hook.
5 - Yarn over again and draw the yarn through all three loops.
6 - Now you should have one loop on the hook.
Half double crochet compteted.
Watch The Half Double Crochet Stitch
View the video below to see how to make a half double crochet stitch.
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HDC is ideal for:
- Blankets
- Scarves
- Hats
- Sweaters
- Baby items
It creates a dense but flexible fabric with minimal gaps.
HDC vs Other Crochet Stitches
| Stitch | Height | Fabric |
| Single crochet | Short | Dense |
| Half double crochet | Medium | Soft + structured |
| Double crochet | Tall | Open + airy |
| Treble crochet | Even Taller | Very open + lace like |
HDC is the perfect "in-between" stitch.
Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc2tog)
Once you learn HDC, the next step is learning how to decrease.
The half double crochet decrease (hdc2tog) combines two stitches into one.
Quick steps:
- Yarn over, insert hook into first stitch
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over, insert into next stitch
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over, pull through all loops
This is used for shaping projects like hats and garments
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Forgetting the yarn over - This turns your stitch into a single crochet
- Pulling through loops incorrectly - Always pull through all 3 loops at once
- Uneven tension - Keep loops loose for smoother stitches
- Skipping stitches - Count stitches at the end of each row
Beginner Tips
- Use light yarn to see stitches clearly
- Practice on small swatches
- Keep tension consistent
- Focus on accuracy before speed
Related Crochet Tutorials
Build your skills with:
Half Double Crochet FAQs
HDC stands for half double crochet.
Yes-it's one of the easiest stitches to learn.
Usually due to tension or missing steps.
It depends on the pattern-some count it, some don't
What to Learn Next
Once you've mastered HDC, try:
- double crochet stitch
- cluster stitches like double crochet 2 cluster and double crochet 3 cluster stitch
New to crochet? Start with our crochet beginner essentials guide to get set up with the right tools and materials. Then follow our how to crochet for beginners guide for a step-by-step introduction to your first stitches.
Mastering the Half Double Crochet Stitch
The half double crochet stitch is one of the most useful stitches in crochet. It gives you the perfect balance of speed, structure, and flexibility-making it ideal for beginners and advanced crocheters alike.
Practice regularly, and you'll quickly be able to use HDC in a wide range of projects.
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