How To Do A
Half Double Crochet

10 stitches by 10 rows

The half double crochet (hdc) is a stitch that is half way between a single crochet and a double crochet. Both in height and process. It makes the change between a single crochet and a double crochet much more slight and graceful.

Quick personal tidbit about this stitch.

I just can’t seem to crochet without a purpose or a specific project. Not sure why. If I don’t have a project in mind, I end up starting something, and never finishing it!! My UFO box is HUGE!! (My husband is SOOO patient!!)

So one day my hands were just bugging to crochet something. Since I didn’t have any particular purpose in mind, I pulled out a book of stitches and designs. (I had decided I was going to make blankets for my kids. I was really trying to keep those unfinished objects to a minimum!!) I picked out a few stitches I wanted to play with, and handed the book to my son. He picked a wavy pattern that he liked. (Since I very seldom like following others' patterns to a tee (I'm really bad like that), the one I created is below.) I crocheted it up in a very cool variegated camouflage yarn. It turned out great! The variegation really added to the wave design. I would highly recommend variegated yarns when using this pattern. They look fabulous!!

Ok - sorry for the diversion...Story time is finished! Back to the info....

To make a turning chain for the half double crochet I chain 2. Most patterns call for a chain 2. The sides do tend to be a bit lumpy, but a chain 1 is just too tight. If you only chain 1, your sides will pull in on every other row. That looks worse than the some little lumps!

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The Half Double Crochet:

For the half double crochet, you yarn over the hook first. Then insert your hook (one (1) loop already on) into the “hole” (or back loop of foundation row). Yarn over again. Pull loop through. You will now have three (3) loops on your hook. Yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops. You just made a half double crochet!

On the foundation row, you will skip 2 stitches. Make sure you add stitches to your foundation chain for the turning chain of your first row.

Special Note:

The turning chain is always considered your first stitch. When trying to keep your stitch count, make sure you count that turning chain. I always skip the first hole/stitch and crochet my next stitch into the 2nd hole. This keeps my crochet lines very even, but it does leave a little larger space between the turning chain and the first stitch. My last stitch is always into the last chain of the turning chain. Most patterns will tell you to crochet into the first hole/stitch. Their last stitch would be in the last stitch of the row below. They would skip the turning chain entirely. This shifts every other row slightly. If you are making something that you are going to finish with stitching around the edge, this does not matter very much. If you are not planning to use a finish edging, this can make your work look a little “off”. See pictures below

(Left) Skipping first stitch (Right) Not Skipping first stitch.

You can make a fun wave patterned blanket using the half double crochet. Just alternate a single crochet, a half double crochet and a double crochet. (Sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc...rep)

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Half Double Crochet Wave Pattern

Wave Crochet Pattern:

Foundation Chain:

Ch desired width in multiples of 5 plus 1 (10(11), 25(26), 40(41), etc...) (For length-wise waves, ch desired length in multiples of 5 plus 1)

Row 1:

Sk 1st stitch. Sc into 2nd loop from hook. Hdc in next ch. Dc in next ch. Hdc in next ch. Sc in next ch. *sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc* rep from * to * across ending with sc in last ch. Ch 1, turn.

Row 2 on:

*Sc in next sc, hdc in next hdc, dc in next dc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next sc.* Rep from * to * across. Ch 1, turn.

Finishing:

Start in any corner sc. Sc evenly around, making sure to do 3 sc in each corner. Sc 2 in same corner as starting sc. Connect with sl st. Weave in ends.

This pattern will give you wavy edges on the top and bottom. If you would prefer a wave with straight edges, try this variation:

Straight Edge Wave Crochet Pattern:

Foundation Chain:

Ch desired width in multiples of 5 plus 1 (10(11), 25(26), 40(41), etc...) (For length-wise waves, ch desired length in multiples of 5 plus 1)

Row 1:

Sk 1st stitch. Sc into 2nd loop from hook. Hdc in next ch. Dc in next ch. Hdc in next ch. Sc in next ch. *sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc* rep from * to * across ending with sc in last ch. Ch 2 (3), turn.

Row 2:

*Dc in next sc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next dc, hdc in next hdc, dc in next sc.* Rep from * to * across, ending with dc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3:

*Sc in next dc, hdc in next hdc, dc in next sc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next dc.* Rep from * to * across, ending with sc in last dc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 4 on:

Rep rows 2 and 3 for desired length.

Finishing:

Start in any corner sc. Sc evenly around, making sure to do 3 sc in each corner. Sc 2 in same corner as starting sc. Connect with sl st. Weave in ends.

Looking for Double Crochet Pattern Ideas? Click Here

Double Crochet

Treble Crochet

Download pdf version of all patterns here.

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