Crochet 101 (Perfect for Beginners)

 Lesson 2:  Half Double Crochet

 Now that you've learned the chain stitch and single crochet, it's time to add another important stitch to your crochet toolbox: the

The half double crochet, usually abbreviated HDC, is a little taller than a single crochet and creates a fabric that is soft and has a nice amount of drape.

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What You'll Learn

By the end of this lesson, you'll know:

• What a half double crochet is.
• How to make a half double crochet.
• Where to insert your hook.
• How to count your stitches.
• How to turn your work.
• How to recognize a half double crochet stitch.
• Common beginner mistakes.

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What Is a Half Double Crochet?

A half double crochet is a stitch that falls between a single crochet and a double crochet in height.

It's:

Taller than a single crochet

but

Shorter than a double crochet.

The abbreviation you'll see in patterns is:

HDC

Half double crochet is commonly used for:

• Blankets
• Hats
• Scarves
• Sweaters
• Bags
• Baby items
• Amigurumi
• Home décor

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The Half Double Crochet Formula

Here's the basic sequence:

Yarn Over → Insert → Yarn Over → Pull Up a Loop → Yarn Over → Pull Through 3

That's the big difference between single crochet and half double crochet.

With single crochet, you pull through 2 loops at the end.

With half double crochet, you pull through 3 loops all at once.

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Step 1: Start With Your Foundation Chain

For practice, make a foundation chain of 11 chains.

Remember from our previous lessons:

The loop currently on your hook doesn't count as a chain.

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Step 2: Yarn Over

Before inserting your hook, wrap the working yarn over your hook.

This is your first yarn over.

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Step 3: Insert Your Hook

Insert your hook into the third chain from the hook.

Why the third chain?

The first two chains act as your turning chain for this practice row.

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Step 4: Yarn Over Again

Yarn over once more.

Then pull the yarn back through the chain.

You should now have:

3 loops on your hook

This is your checkpoint.

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Step 5: Yarn Over One More Time

Yarn over again.

You'll still have your three loops on the hook.

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Step 6: Pull Through All 3 Loops

Pull your yarn through all three loops at once.

🎉 You've made your first half double crochet!

You should now have one loop remaining on your hook.

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The HDC Formula Again

Let's make it easy to remember:

YO → Insert → YO → Pull Up → YO → Pull Through 3

Or:

Over → In → Over → Up → Over → Through 3

Practice saying the steps while you crochet until the movement becomes natural.

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Continue Across the Row

Repeat the same process in each chain:

1. Yarn over.
2. Insert hook.
3. Yarn over.
4. Pull up a loop.
5. Yarn over.
6. Pull through all 3 loops.

Continue across your foundation chain.

With an 11-chain foundation, you'll make 9 half double crochet stitches when working into the third chain from the hook.

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How to Turn Your Work

Once you've reached the end of the row:

Chain 2

The chain-2 turning chain gives your next row the height it needs.

Then:

Turn your work.

Now you're ready to make your next row of half double crochet.

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Where Do You Insert Your Hook?

Look at the top of your half double crochet stitches.

You'll see little V shapes.

For standard HDC, insert your hook under both loops of the V unless your pattern tells you to work into a specific loop.

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Counting Your HDC Stitches

Each completed half double crochet counts as one stitch.

Look along the top edge of your row and count the V shapes.

For your practice swatch, you should have:

9 HDC stitches per row

Try counting each row before moving on to the next one.

 

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Common Beginner Mistakes

❌ Forgetting the First Yarn Over

Unlike single crochet, HDC begins with a yarn over before inserting the hook.

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❌ Pulling Through Only 2 Loops

Remember:

HDC pulls through all 3 loops at once.

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❌ Working Into the Wrong Chain

Your first HDC goes into the third chain from the hook for this exercise.

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❌ Making Your Stitches Too Tight

If your hook is difficult to insert into the stitches, relax your tension.

Don't force the hook through.

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❌ Losing the Last Stitch

The last stitch of a row can be easy to miss.

Count your stitches before turning.

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Practice Exercise 🧶

Let's make a small HDC swatch.

Foundation

Chain 11.

Row 1

HDC in the third chain from the hook.

Continue across.

You should have:

9 HDC

Row 2

Chain 2 and turn.

HDC across the row.

Again, aim for:

9 HDC

Continue for 5–10 rows.

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Compare Your Stitches

Now compare your HDC swatch with your single crochet swatch from Lesson 9.

You should notice that HDC:

• Is taller.
• Works up faster.
• Creates a softer, more flexible fabric.
• Has a slightly different texture.

This is one reason choosing the correct stitch matters when following a crochet pattern.

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⭐ Beginner Tip

Don't worry if your first HDC stitches look a little loose.

HDC can feel awkward at first because you're managing three loops on your hook.

Once your hands get used to the movement, the stitch becomes much easier.

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Lesson Summary

Today you learned:

✔ What half double crochet means.

✔ The abbreviation HDC.

✔ How to make an HDC.

✔ Where to insert your hook.

✔ How to pull through all three loops.

✔ How to turn your work.

✔ How to count HDC stitches.

✔ Common beginner mistakes.

⭐ Remember:

Yarn Over → Insert → Yarn Over → Pull Up → Yarn Over → Pull Through 3

That's your half double crochet!

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Homework

Make a small HDC swatch that's approximately:

9 stitches × 10 rows

As you work, practice keeping your stitches approximately the same size.

Then compare your HDC swatch with your single crochet swatch.

Notice the difference in height, texture, and drape.