Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 22 hours ago
This beginner friendly crochet tutorial will show you how to half double crochet stitch step by step. The half double crochet stitch is a very easy, beginner friendly crochet stitch pattern that is so versatile and can can be used for so many crochet projects!
I remember when I was learning to crochet. Most of the patterns I tried used single crochet, and many of the rest used double crochet. There weren’t that many that used half double crochet, but I think it’s a wonderful stitch pattern, and easy to do. I have a great love for the texture that half double crochet creates in it’s fabric. It has better flexibility like double crochet, but has better coverage like single crochet. It’s one of my favorites, and so versatile!
Tutorial is shown with (US) half double crochets.
Looking for other half double crochet projects? Check out the:
- Ear Warmer: youtu.be/j9Lh8iXxZ8s
- Rectangle Shawl: youtu.be/ixSnL0VMFbo
- Washcloth: youtu.be/h8xT9Ud4KT0
- Blanket: youtu.be/FqN8yTvOmY4
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking on them, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Materials:
I'm using Lion Brand Pound of Love in the Denim colorways (Oxford Grey and White make an appearance near the end) and an H8/5mm Crochet Hook
Shop Lion Brand Pound of Love in my Yarn Shop: yarncraftsandcoffee.com/product/lion-brand-pound-of-love-yarn
If you want to treat yourself to an ergonomic crochet hook, I like using the clay hooks from these two shops on Etsy:
- Shop BronzeShepherdStudio: tidd.ly/435FfYY
- Shop SiennasBowtique: tidd.ly/3IqAMGD
FAQ and Photo tutorial showing how to half double crochet: eyeloveknots.com/2021/01/how-to-half-double-crochet-us-photo-tutorial.html
Blog subscribers can download a free copy of the PDF anytime from the Free File Library with the password found in the most recent newsletter - it's free to sign up: yarn-crafts-coffee.myflodesk.com/fmpwy17v72
You May Also Like:
- How to Crochet into the Back Bump: COMING SOON
Time Stamp:
00:00 Intro
01:37 What is a Half Double Crochet (US HDC)?
03:00 Quick Refresher
04:25 How to Pick Your Yarn
07:49 Finding the End of Your Yarn Ball
08:44 Crocheting Right Handed versus Left Handed
10:29 How to Make a Slip Knot
11:13 How to Hold the Yarn to Crochet
14:20 How to Hold a Crochet Hook
15:43 How to Crochet a Chain
06:18 How to Count Crochet Chains
16:27 Chain Multiple / Stitch Multiple
17:07 Tips for Crocheting a Chain
18:15 Front versus Back of the Foundation Chain
19:05 Row 1 and How to Half Double Crochet (US HDC)
21:10 How to Count Half Double Crochet Stitches
22:55 Checkpoint: Check Your Tension & Restart as Needed
23:29 How to Frog in Crochet aka Pull Out Stitches
23:43 Revist Skipped Chains from Beginning
24:26 Half Double Crochet Turning Chain: Chain 1 or Chain 2?
26:18 Row 2
30:34 Remaining Rows
31:44 Determine the Right Side and Wrong Side of Half Double Crochet
32:56 How to Count Half Double Crochet Rows
33:35 Does it Matter if I Finish on the Right Side or Wrong Side in Half Double Crochet?
35:47 Optional, How to Crochet Evenly Around Half Double Crochet
37:23 How to Add Yarn if You Run Out or Change Yarn Colors in Half Double Crochet
38:28 How to Crochet a Border
40:22 How to Increase in the Corner of the Border
41:45 How to Evenly Crochet Down the Side of a Half Double Crochet Blanket
48:46 How to Work on the Opposite Side of the Foundation Chain
51:41 How to Evenly Crochet Up the Side of a Crocheted Blanket
57:02 How to Add More Rounds to Crocheted Border
58:57 How to Weave in Crochet Ends
01:01:44 Outro
This beginner friendly crochet tutorial will show you how to half double crochet stitch step by step. The half double crochet stitch is a very easy, beginner friendly crochet stitch pattern that is so versatile and can can be used for so many crochet projects!
I remember when I was learning to crochet. Most of the patterns I tried used single crochet, and many of the rest used double crochet. There weren’t that many that used half double crochet, but I think it’s a wonderful stitch pattern, and easy to do. I have a great love for the texture that half double crochet creates in it’s fabric. It has better flexibility like double crochet, but has better coverage like single crochet. It’s one of my favorites, and so versatile!
Tutorial is shown with (US) half double crochets.
Looking for other half double crochet projects? Check out the:
- Ear Warmer: youtu.be/j9Lh8iXxZ8s
- Rectangle Shawl: youtu.be/ixSnL0VMFbo
- Washcloth: youtu.be/h8xT9Ud4KT0
- Blanket: youtu.be/FqN8yTvOmY4
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase by clicking on them, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Materials:
I'm using Lion Brand Pound of Love in the Denim colorways (Oxford Grey and White make an appearance near the end) and an H8/5mm Crochet Hook
Shop Lion Brand Pound of Love in my Yarn Shop: yarncraftsandcoffee.com/product/lion-brand-pound-of-love-yarn
If you want to treat yourself to an ergonomic crochet hook, I like using the clay hooks from these two shops on Etsy:
- Shop BronzeShepherdStudio: tidd.ly/435FfYY
- Shop SiennasBowtique: tidd.ly/3IqAMGD
FAQ and Photo tutorial showing how to half double crochet: eyeloveknots.com/2021/01/how-to-half-double-crochet-us-photo-tutorial.html
Blog subscribers can download a free copy of the PDF anytime from the Free File Library with the password found in the most recent newsletter - it's free to sign up: yarn-crafts-coffee.myflodesk.com/fmpwy17v72
You May Also Like:
- How to Crochet into the Back Bump: COMING SOON
Time Stamp:
00:00 Intro
01:37 What is a Half Double Crochet (US HDC)?
03:00 Quick Refresher
04:25 How to Pick Your Yarn
07:49 Finding the End of Your Yarn Ball
08:44 Crocheting Right Handed versus Left Handed
10:29 How to Make a Slip Knot
11:13 How to Hold the Yarn to Crochet
14:20 How to Hold a Crochet Hook
15:43 How to Crochet a Chain
06:18 How to Count Crochet Chains
16:27 Chain Multiple / Stitch Multiple
17:07 Tips for Crocheting a Chain
18:15 Front versus Back of the Foundation Chain
19:05 Row 1 and How to Half Double Crochet (US HDC)
21:10 How to Count Half Double Crochet Stitches
22:55 Checkpoint: Check Your Tension & Restart as Needed
23:29 How to Frog in Crochet aka Pull Out Stitches
23:43 Revist Skipped Chains from Beginning
24:26 Half Double Crochet Turning Chain: Chain 1 or Chain 2?
26:18 Row 2
30:34 Remaining Rows
31:44 Determine the Right Side and Wrong Side of Half Double Crochet
32:56 How to Count Half Double Crochet Rows
33:35 Does it Matter if I Finish on the Right Side or Wrong Side in Half Double Crochet?
35:47 Optional, How to Crochet Evenly Around Half Double Crochet
37:23 How to Add Yarn if You Run Out or Change Yarn Colors in Half Double Crochet
38:28 How to Crochet a Border
40:22 How to Increase in the Corner of the Border
41:45 How to Evenly Crochet Down the Side of a Half Double Crochet Blanket
48:46 How to Work on the Opposite Side of the Foundation Chain
51:41 How to Evenly Crochet Up the Side of a Crocheted Blanket
57:02 How to Add More Rounds to Crocheted Border
58:57 How to Weave in Crochet Ends
01:01:44 Outro
