How to Half Double Crochet

The half double crochet stitch is one of my favourites!

The half double crochet stitch is the only stitch used to make this versatile slouchy.

I like this stitch because it gives your crochet project a combination of drape/squish while also being solid enough to keep in heat when used in crochet clothing. It is also a very quick stitch to repeat once you get the hang of it and your hands build up some muscle memory - meaning you can work quickly and get your final product faster!

How to

To do a half double crochet stitch, start by yarning over your hook. Then, insert your hook through the stitch/space you want to work into.

Yarn over again, and pull the yarn through the stitch/space you just inserted your hook into.

This should leave you with 3 loops on your hook.

At this point, yarn over one more time, and pull through all 3 loops that are on your hook.

Finished!

You have made a half double crochet stitch!

Try these variations of a half double crochet to get a different result and help you experiment with your crochet:

1: The original half double crochet - one of my faves! This texture offers a comfortable result that is also solid and keeps in heat - similar to the single crochet stitch but with more squish and drape.

2: Working half double crochet stitches in the back loop only results in even more stretch and an attractive ridge from the unworked front loops.

3: By working half double crochet stitches into alternating back loops and third loops, a v-shaped ridge can be run running back and forth along the rows, (the third loop is the one on the back/front of a half double crochet stitch depending on whether the side being worked is the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ side).

I hope this post has helped you like the half double crochet stitch a bit more - it is simple AND can be used in a variety of ways!

Happy hooking!

• Avery