Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only Stitch Tutorial

Welcome crocheter to the how to crochet the Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only Stitch Tutorial! This is a great stitch I’ve loved using for a variety of projects and am excited for Tacia to share this tutorial with you! :) I can’t wait to see what you make using this tutorial!! After the tutorial there is a list of crochet patterns you can go to when you want to make something using your new found knowledge of the Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only Stitch as well as the previous crochet stitch tutorials also found here.

How to Crochet the Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only Stitch Tutorial

Originally posted 28 February 2020, updated 23 January 2022.

By Michele of VAMICreations and Tacia of Joanna’s Crochet

 Hello Everyone!  My name is Tacia (pronounced tuh-see-ah) and I'm the maker behind Joanna's Crochet. During the day I work in Cancer Research and at night I run my social media and blog Joanna's Crochet. I'm still fairly new to blogging but I think I might be getting the hang of it...lol I was introduced to crochet at a young age and didn't pick it back up until my early 20's. I love crochet (traditional), tunisian crochet, and knitting which has recently become a new obsession of mine. In today's video tutorial I will be showing you how to crochet half double crochet through the back loop only or hdcblo. I hope you enjoy.


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 patterns that use the above stitch so you can practice and make some of your first crochet pieces!!!

Joanna’s Crochet Allegro Beanie

Joanna’s Crochet Allegro Beanie

Joanna's Crochet has an awesome pattern using the HDC BLO the one that is in the tutorial - the Allegro Beanie.

CamexiaDesigns's Twilight Wrapis a beautiful shrug that uses HDC Back loop only as well as several other stitches from this series. You can also create it using some of my favorite bulky yarn (Color Made Easy Yarn - see review here) and in a variety of colors.

Hooked on Homemade Happiness has a wonderful and fun way to practice the HDC BLO stitch and create your own twin size afghan in any color or group of colors you want.

Hooked on Homade Happiness also has a great beanie that you can create in any color and pair with a pom as well. :)

Daisy Farm Craft's Back Loop Only Crochet Hat is a fun way to create a hat with a pompom on top to keep your head warm in cold weather.

LiliowyLane's Evergreen Scarf is a beautiful scarf that can be used to wrap around you, creating a fashion statement in crochet. :)

CrochetKim has an easy to make Dishcloth HDC BLO pattern you can create for free on her website. It’s an awesome way to make something usable immediately as well as create it in a variety of colors (seasonal, holiday colors, any combination. :)

Here is also a how to crochet the Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only Stitch using your left hand, so you can make these patterns as well if you are left handed.

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.

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.

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.

Crocheting with a Yarn Ring.png

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 for this how to crochet the Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only Stitch Tutorial! 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!

Michele ThymmonsComment