Basic Stitches – Half Double Crochet (UK Half Treble)

Just as the name suggest, a half double (UK half treble) crochet (hdc) is in between a single (UK double) crochet and a double (UK treble) crochet. It is slightly taller than a single crochet and smaller than a double crochet, and can be achieved by adding one simple step in the process. When crocheting with half double crochet, you will find that your work builds up quicker than that of a single crochet and won’t be as dense.

When crocheting the first row of half double crochet, you need to start in the 3rd chain from the hook. The first two chains then become your turning chain.

To create a half double crochet, yarn over (YO), insert through 3rd ch from hook and YO.

Pull through loop so you have 2 loops on your hook.

YO and pull through all loops. Continue like this to the end of your chain.

To create a second row of hdc, chain 2 (turning chain), YO, insert hook into first st, YO, pull through st, YO, pull through all loops on hook.

Repeat this across the row to the end, making sure not to crochet into the turning chain at the end of the first row.

I have put together a little tutorial on how to crochet a swatch of single crochet below. It’s always a good idea to make a swatch whenever you start a new project to not only make sure your tension is correct, but to also understand any new stitches that you’ve not encountered before.

As always, this tutorial is written in US terms with the half double crochet in UK terms being the half treble crochet!

Materials

DK weight yarn – I used Paintbox Simply DK in Blush

4mm hook

Yarn needle

Scissors

Pattern

Row 1: Ch 26, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc to end, turn (24)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in first st and across row, missing out the turning ch, turn (24)

Repeat Row 2 a further 14 times, break yarn and fasten off. Weave in ends.

As with the swatch for the single crochet, you may find you need to gently block this to make it lie flat.

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