Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

Meg’s Mug Rug - Half Double Crochet Pattern

Hello Crocheter! Welcome to the How to Crochet Stitch Tutorial Series where we are introducing to you amazing crochet designers and their patterns.

Each crochet designer will give you a crochet stitch tutorial for a specific crochet stitch. If you want to start from the beginning you can go to the Crochet Stitch Tutorials Start Here. This post also has links to all of the roundups for crochet equipment, yarn by indie dyers, all the crochet stitch tutorials, and much more!

To show you how to crochet a Half Double Crochet (HDC) is Meghann from Twisted Arrow Designs. She will also be walking you through how to create several rows of HDC so you can create your own Mug Rug! You can also find a number of her crochet patterns, beginner crochet patters, as well as more for HDC and for HDC and Single Crochet (SC) patterns at the bottom of this tutorial as well as some resources for left handers and for those with arthritis or issues with their hands. If you like these crochet stitch tutorials, please share them so others may be able to enjoy them as well :)

Twisted Arrow Designs can be found on Ravelry, Instagram profile, and her Etsy Shop .

How to Crochet a Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

Originally posted 12 July 2019, updated 17 January 2022.

By Meghann of Twisted Arrow Designs

Hi! I’m Meghann with Twisted Arrow Designs. I’ve been crocheting since I was a girl but it’s only been in the last couple of years that I started writing down some of my original creations and designing patterns to share. My 3 kids 7 and under keep me hopping and the recent addition of a crazy dog make my days full and joyful.

A Half Double Crochet (or HDC) is a versatile and lovely stitch that gives subtle texture while still being one that you can get into a smooth rhythm with quickly. When in doubt, I always go to a HDC. So to begin, grab any yarn you like and a hook in any size close to what is recommended for your yarn type. Don’t be afraid to branch out into different hook sizes based on the look that you like.  A smaller hook will result in tighter stitches and a larger hook will produce a looser fabric with more holes. I like the look of both and utilize both looks in a number of things I design.  Here I have used my two favorites, Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in “Fisherman” and my favorite large 10 mm hook from Hobby Lobby.

STEP 1:

Start with a basic slip knot and chain as many as you want PLUS one for turning. I wanted a total of 10 stitches so I chained 11.

STEP 2:

When ready to turn, you will now work along the backside of your chain in those little bumps. This gives your edge a nice smooth look. Skipping your extra chain, you will place your first stitch in the 2nd ch from hook.

STEP 3:

To make your first HDC, Yarn over hook (yo) and bring up a loop for a total of three loops on the hook. YO and pull through all 3 loops.

STEP 4:

Hooray! HDC made! Repeat step 3 across the rest of your chain.

STEP 5:

When it is time to turn your work, you will ch 1. This chain DOES NOT count as a stitch. Work one HDC in every stitch across. It might help you at the beginning to count your stitches as you go to help prevent your work from increasing in stitches or decreasing in stitches without you realizing. You will quickly get the hang of it and won’t need to count every time.

The HDC stitch creates a subtle striping effect when worked back and forth. When it is worked in the round, all the ridges are on the backside of your work and result in a different look from front to back.

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If you like this, you may like:

• Ultimate List of Yarn Dyers

• Step-by-Step Blocking Handmade Items Tutorial

• Bluprint Review and Tutorial

Note - This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase. However, I do not make recommendations for products or websites that I have not or will not use. Etsy and Bluprint are both places that I have purchased patterns and other crochet items and will continue to. Etsy is also an amazing way to support all of these makers that you find highlighted here and in other posts throughout the VAMICreations website.

Here are a number of beginner crochet patterns as well as those that use both HDC and Single Crochet so you can practice and make some of your first crochet pieces!!!

Twisted Arrow Designs

Twisted Arrow Designs Cuddle Up Blanket

Her Crochet patterns can be found in her Etsy Shop and her Ravelry. Specific patterns with HDC are found below.

Cuddle Up Blanket is a great way to practice the HDC you just learned and make an amazing blanket for you or someone you want to share your crochet skills with.

Meg’s Cup Cozy is an awesome pattern to match Meg’s Mug Rugs and the best part is that this pattern is free on Ravelry! :)

Meg’s Mug Rugs is the full pattern for the stitch used in the tutorial above and the best part is it is free on Ravelry! :)

The Buttercup Cardigan is a wonderful way to practice the HDC and make an amazing cardigan for yourself.

Other Crochet Designer Patterns using only HDC:

Rainbow Wall Hanging from Yalis and Yabos Crochet is a beautiful wall hanging that you can create using HDC and any color yarn you want.

Snowflake Sugar Cookie Blanket by EClaireMakery is a beautiful crochet blanket pattern that reminds me of Christmas and is something you can curl up in while reading a good book or watching a good movie.

Meg’s Mug Cozy Half Double Crochet Pattern

Batwing Sweater from By-Katerina, is an awesome sweater that can be worn in the spring, summer, or fall. You can create it using a ton of different colors or yarn. You can also add to the sweater, making it longer to create the Fall Colors Dress. These two are all created using HDC and I see myself making both!! Another HDC crochet pattern is Fancy Jacket, which is a beautiful jacket that you can make yourself to wear.

Cuddle-sized Paddy the Polar Bear by Storyland Amis is an awesome polar bear that you can create for yourself or as a gift, careful though, it’s so adorable you will probably keep it for yourself. :)

Teddy Bear by Little Abbee is an adorable little guy that you can create in many different colors and depending upon the size of the yarn, you could make this little guy into a huge stuffed bear!

Hooked Dragon Shawl by Addydae Designs is an absoultely gorgeous crochet shawl that I cannot wait to make. It is based on a beautiful knitting sea dragon shawl by Ambah O’Brien. The original knitted shawl can be found here on Ravelry (for those who are knitters).

By-Katerina’s Fall Color Dress - all in Half Double Crochet Stitch

Here are some additional patterns you can make using both Single Crochet from the previous tutorial (also found here if you want a refresher) and the HDC of this tutorial.

Christa Co Design:

Backcountry Beanie is a pattern using SC and HDC and creates and awesome warm hat for your head. You can use it to practice both stitches in a project that could take a day.

Chunky Bear Beanie is another great day or two project that you can use to create beanies for presents or for yourself :)

Harvest Sweater by Casale Crafts is a gorgeous sweater you can make for yourself or a loved one and a great way to practice both HDC and SC.

The Ariel Top by Casale Crafts is another great and fun top to make and great practice for HDC and SC.

Cuddly Stripes Baby Blanket is an awesome blanket for baby gifts or even your own use. Use a variety of yarns or one solid color to create this blanket.

YalisAndYabosCrochet have several crochet patterns that use a combination of the stitches to include SC and HDC.

By Katerina’s Bat Wing Sweater made in Half Double Crochet Stitch

Crochet Octopus is a cute cuddly octopus that you can create in a variety of different yarns and of all sizes.

Rainbow Wall Hanging has two different variations that you can create - one using the SC and HDC stitches and the second Rainbow Wall Hanging only using HDC. Both are great patterns to create an original crochet piece of art for your walls.

Baby Boots is a sweet gift to make for a baby gift or for your own little one.

Baby Girl Jacket from By-Katerina, is an awesome jacket you can make for a little girl as a gift or for your own. It is a great way to practice HDC and SC while creating a gorgeous jacket.

Wilmade has created some amazing crochet pieces and you can find more about her and her awesome crochet designs in her interview with us!

Never-ending Shawl is a beautiful crochet triangle shawl that you can create using Single Crochet Stitch and Half Double Crochet Stitch.

Simple Collar Dress is an beautiful dress that you can make with any number of colors and color combination.

If you are left-handed below are several how to crochet the half double crochet stitch tutorials so you can create these patterns as well :)

Watch this left hand video tutorial and learn how to half double crochet. The half double stitch is different because its height lands between the double and single crochet. Another difference is that you draw through all three loops on your hook instead of only two at a time.

This tutorial will go over all the different ways to make half double crochets in your project. From working into your foundation chain to how to make your turning chain, this tutorial will show it all - and in the left hand perspective.

If you have arthritis or issues with your hands here are some extra tutorials and tips specifically designed with you in mind. :)

One of ItsVera’s yarn rings.

The Arthritis Foundation has an article with specific tips for knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching with arthritic hands. They have specific tips for each craft on things you can do to help make manage your arthritis while still allowing you to enjoy the craft you love.

Every Day Health has an article all about how to knit/crochet with Arthritis with 10 tips for how to keep crocheting/knitting. They even encourage you to crochet and craft with Arthritis because it can actually help you with managing it.

All Free Crochet has a full Crochet and Arthritis Tip Guide for those that have arthritis or issues with their hands complete with information about how to help your hands each time you crochet or craft and tips on how to adjust for your craft based on whether you have a good day or a bad day.

You can also find ergonomic crochet hooks (recommended for those with hand pain to ease it and allow you to crochet longer or at all) among the amazing crochet hook shops of Etsy in an earlier round up of crochet hooks.

Crocheting with one of ItsVera’s yarn rings.

YouTube has several videos where people have discussed tips that have helped them with crocheting or knitting with Arthritis or other health issues that cause your hands and body to be stiff.

Jen B discusses how she crochets in this 3 minute video and shows you how to best hold the yarn and more.

Vera of It’s Vera has over 30 knitting and crochet rings in her Etsy Shop that help with pain and relief for crocheting/knitting/Tunisian crocheting with Arthritis.

LullasJewelry also has awesome crochet rings in her Etsy Shop that are adjustable and help hold the yarn for pain and relief while crocheting/knitting/Tunisian crocheting with Arthritis.

DawnGillDesigns has a number of crochet rings she calls hooker rings in her Etsy Shop and each has a different design you can choose from to include paw, snowflake, flower, star, dot and heart.

Motion Works Blog has an article on tips for crocheting and using your hands despite having arthritis and also gives several stretches that you can do to help your hands while crocheting or crafting.

Laughing Hens has an article specifically about stretches (complete with pictures!) that are great for both crocheters and knitters. I think I’ll start doing these too to help my hands when I’m working on a variety of projects!

Thank you for joining us to learn how to crochet a half double crochet! What crochet stitches are you wanting to learn how to crochet? I’d also love to hear from you about what types of resources you want more information on as well as Makers you would like to nominate for a Maker Feature! Please email me or leave a comment on this article! Looking forward to hearing from you and have a great day!