Half Double Crochet (hdc): How to Do the Stitch

To make a half double crochet (hdc), yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook at once. Sitting right between a single crochet (sc) and a double crochet (dc) in height, the half double crochet builds a warm, cohesive fabric with soft drape and a unique third loop that makes knit-look ribbing effortless.

US vs. UK terminology note: In US crochet patterns, this stitch is called half double crochet (hdc). In UK crochet patterns, the exact same stitch is called half treble crochet (htr).

Half Double Crochet Quick Reference

How to Work a Half Double Crochet Step by Step

Compared to single crochet, a half double crochet adds just one extra step: a yarn-over before you insert your hook, which leaves 3 loops on your hook instead of 2.

1. Yarn over (yo): Wrap the working yarn from back to front over your crochet hook. Including your active loop, you now have 2 loops (strands) on your hook.
2. Insert the hook into the stitch: Push the tip of your hook under both top loops (V) of the target stitch (or into the 3rd chain from the hook if you are starting on a bare foundation chain).
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop: Wrap the working yarn over your hook and draw it through the stitch. You now have 3 loops on your hook.

1. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops: Wrap the yarn over your hook one more time and draw it smoothly through all 3 loops on your hook in a single motion. One active loop remains on your hook, and your half double crochet (hdc) is complete.

Pro Tip: How to Stop Your Hook from Catching on the Middle Loop

The most common beginner struggle in half double crochet is getting the hook tip snagged on the middle loop of the 3 loops on the hook. That middle strand is the initial yarn-over you made in Step 1, which runs diagonally across the stitch and sits slightly tighter than the loop you pulled up in Step 3. To glide through all 3 loops without snagging:

• Keep your initial yarn-over relaxed on the full width of the hook shaft before inserting the hook.
• Rotate the hook beak downward to the 6 o'clock position (pointing straight toward the base of the stitch rather than sideways at 9 o'clock) and wiggle the hook tip slightly upward as it passes under the middle loop.

Worked Example: A 3-Row Half Double Crochet Swatch

To practice even edges and stitch counting, let's work a 10-stitch swatch across 3 rows using the most beginner-friendly convention: the ch 2 turning chain is for height only and does NOT count as a stitch.

Foundation Chain (Ch 12 for 10 hdc)

• Make a slip knot and chain 12 (ch 12).
• Why 12 chains produce 10 stitches: You will skip the first 2 chains from the hook and work your first hdc into the 3rd chain from the hook. When those 2 skipped chains do not count as a stitch, you work into 12 − 2 = 10 chains (10 hdc total).

Row 1 (10 hdc)

1. Yarn over and insert your hook into the 3rd chain from the hook (do not count the active loop on your hook).
2. Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. That is your first hdc (place a stitch marker under its top V if you like).
3. Work 1 hdc into each of the remaining 9 chains across the foundation cord.
4. Count your top Vs: You have 10 completed hdc stitches (1 + 9 = 10).

Row 2 (10 hdc)

1. Chain 2 and turn (ch 2, turn): Because our ch 2 does not count as a stitch, it simply lifts the hook to row height.
2. Work into the very first stitch: Yarn over and insert your hook under both top loops of the first stitch right at the base of the ch 2. Complete 1 hdc.

1. Work across all 9 remaining stitches: Work 1 hdc into each stitch across the row, ending in the top V of the 10th stitch (do not work into the ch 2 turning chain from the previous row).
2. Count your stitches: 10 hdc.

Row 3 (10 hdc)

• Repeat Row 2: Ch 2, turn (does not count as a stitch), work 1 hdc into the very first stitch and into each stitch across (10 hdc total).

The Half Double Crochet Turning Chain (Does Ch 2 Count?)

Unlike single crochet (where ch 1 almost never counts as a stitch) and double crochet (where ch 3 almost always counts as a stitch), half double crochet sits right on the borderline. Designers use three different turning-chain rules for hdc, so always check the "Pattern Notes" section before starting:

The hdc Third Loop (How to Work the Knit-Look Camel Stitch)

Because you yarn over before inserting your hook and pull through all 3 loops at once, that initial yarn-over forms an extra horizontal bar across the stitch called the third loop (3rd loop). Every standard hdc has three loops:

1. Front loop (FLO): The front strand of the top V closest to you.
2. Back loop (BLO): The back strand of the top V farthest from you.
3. Third loop (3rd loop): The horizontal diagonal bar sitting just below the top V.

When you work your stitches into the third loop only instead of under the top V, the entire top V gets pushed forward onto the surface of the fabric—creating a gorgeous braided ridge that looks just like knitted stockinette or ribbing (often called the camel stitch).

Where to Find the 3rd Loop in Rows vs. Joined Rounds

• When working in flat turned rows: After you turn your work at the end of a row, the back of the previous row is facing you. Look on the front side of the fabric facing you, directly below the front loop of the top V. Inserting your hook upward under that horizontal bar pushes the top V toward the other side of the fabric.
• When working in the round (without turning): Because the right side is always facing you, tilt the top of your work slightly toward you and look behind and just below the back loop. Working into that back third loop pushes the braided Vs outward onto the front of hats, cowls, and baskets.

Increasing and Decreasing in Half Double Crochet (hdc2tog)

Whether you are shaping a sweater sleeve or the crown of a beanie, you can add or subtract stitches cleanly in half double crochet.

How to Increase in Half Double Crochet (hdc inc)

To add 1 stitch, work 2 complete hdc stitches into the same stitch:

1. Work 1 hdc into the target stitch as usual.
2. Yarn over, insert your hook into the exact same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), and yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

How to Decrease: 3 Ways to Work hdc2tog

Because a standard hdc starts with a yarn-over, pulling two full half double crochets together puts 5 loops on your hook, which can feel thick in dense garments or amigurumi. Here are all three ways to work a half double crochet decrease (hdc2tog) so you can pick the best finish for your project:

1. Standard hdc2tog (5 loops on hook — matches pattern stitch texture):
   • Yarn over, insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops at once.
2. Less-Bulky hdc2tog (4 loops on hook — skips the second yarn-over):
   • Yarn over, insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
   • Without yarning over, insert your hook directly into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops at once.
3. Invisible hdc Decrease (Front loops only — best for hats & amigurumi):
   • Yarn over, insert your hook under the front loop only (FLO) of the first stitch, then immediately swing your hook under the front loop only (FLO) of the next stitch (4 strands on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops (the two front loops—3 loops remain on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through all 3 remaining loops.

Must-Know Half Double Crochet Variations

Once you know the basic hdc, changing where you insert your hook or how you pull through loops unlocks an entire family of hdc variations:

• Half Double Crochet in the Back Loop Only (hdc blo): Insert your hook under only the back strand of the top V on every row. This creates deep, stretchy accordion ribbing ideal for sweater cuffs, hat brims, and our ribbed ear warmer pattern.
• Herringbone Half Double Crochet (hhdc): Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop and continue pulling that loop straight through the first loop already on your hook (2 loops remain on hook); then yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops. This tilts the stitches into a woven chevron texture.
• Extended Half Double Crochet (ehdc): Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook); yarn over and pull through 1 loop only (making a tiny chain at the base—still 3 loops on hook); then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Gives you the height of a double crochet with the dense, hole-free look of hdc.
• Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc): A chainless starting technique that works the foundation chain and the first row of hdc simultaneously for a stretchy bottom edge.

What Half Double Crochet Is Best Used For

Half double crochet is often called the "Goldilocks stitch" of crochet: it builds height much faster than single crochet while avoiding the open gaps between posts that double crochet can leave. To see exactly how hdc compares with sc and dc in fabric density and yarn consumption, check our stitch comparison guide.

Here is where hdc shines:

• Cozy baby blankets and throws (half double crochet blanket): Creates a warm, squishy blanket where little fingers and toes won't poke through holes.
• Winter hats, beanies, and ear warmers: Worked in the back loop (hdc blo) or third loop, it produces knit-like stretch and warmth—try it right away on our beginner-friendly ribbed ear warmer.
• Quick everyday gifts and home accessories: A 15-minute project like our hdc mug cozy lets you practice even hdc rows and buttonhole loops on a small scale.
• Sweaters and cardigans: Provides enough drape to hang comfortably on the body without requiring a lining underneath.

Frequently Asked Questions