How to Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Half double crochet (hdc; UK half treble, htr) sits between single crochet and double crochet in height. It works up faster than single crochet, stays denser than double crochet, and has a soft, warm texture that’s ideal for hats, scarves and blankets. It’s also the stitch with the useful “third loop” behind each stitch.

US/UK note: this page uses US terms. US half double crochet (hdc) is UK half treble crochet (htr).

You’ll need

• Worsted-weight yarn and a matching hook (a 5 mm / H-8 is a good start)
• A foundation chain of about 17 chains for practice

Step-by-step: how to half double crochet

Row 1 (into the foundation chain)

1. Find the 3rd chain from the hook. The two chains you skip act as the turning chain.
2. Yarn over before inserting the hook — this is what makes hdc taller than sc.
3. Insert your hook into the 3rd chain from the hook.
4. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over again.
6. Pull through all 3 loops in one motion. One loop remains. That’s one hdc.
7. Work 1 hdc into each chain across.

From a 17-chain foundation you’ll have 15 hdc if the skipped chains don’t count, or 16 stitches if your pattern counts them as the first hdc.

Tip: Pulling through three loops is easier if the loops are relaxed. Tilt the hook’s throat downward and guide it through, rather than yanking.

Working the next row

1. Chain 2 and turn.
2. Work the first hdc into the first stitch (at the base of the chain-2). In most modern patterns the chain-2 does not count as a stitch.
3. Work 1 hdc in each stitch across, under both top loops.
4. Count your stitches: still 15.

When the turning chain counts

Some patterns say “ch 2 (counts as hdc)”. Then you skip the first stitch, hdc in each stitch across, and work the last hdc into the top of the turning chain from the row below. Both methods are correct — they just give different stitch counts and edges, so always follow your pattern.

The hdc “third loop”

Look at the back of a row of hdc and you’ll see a horizontal bar just below the top V. This is the third loop (sometimes called the back bar). Working into only this loop pushes both top loops forward into a decorative ridge that looks almost like knitting. It’s a popular choice for hat brims and textured blankets.

Height comparison

Stitch	Yarn overs before inserting	Loops on hook after pulling up	Usual turning chain
Single crochet (sc; UK dc)	0	2	1
Half double crochet (hdc; UK htr)	1	3	2
Double crochet (dc; UK tr)	1	3 (then worked off in two steps)	3

Notice that hdc and dc start the same way. The difference is at the end: hdc pulls through all three loops at once, while dc works them off two at a time.

Common mistakes

• Forgetting the first yarn over. Without it you’ve made a single crochet.
• Pulling through two loops instead of three. That leaves two loops on the hook and starts turning your hdc into a double crochet.
• Inconsistent turning chain counting. Decide (or check the pattern) whether the ch 2 counts, and stick with it. Mixing the two methods is the most common cause of crooked edges.
• Gappy edges. If a chain-2 that doesn’t count leaves a gap, try chaining 1 instead, or work the first stitch as a “stacked” sc-plus-hdc — but only once you’re comfortable with the basics.

Variations

• hdc in the third loop: knit-look ridges on the front.
• hdc in back loop only: ribbing, good for cuffs and brims.
• hdc2tog (decrease): yo, insert, pull up a loop in each of two stitches (5 loops), yo and pull through all 5.

FAQ

Does the chain 2 count as a stitch in half double crochet?

It depends on the pattern. Many modern patterns say it does not count, and the first hdc goes in the first stitch. Other patterns count it as the first stitch; the pattern notes should say which.

What is half double crochet in UK terms?

Half treble crochet, abbreviated htr.

Is half double crochet denser than double crochet?

Yes, in the same yarn and hook. hdc is a shorter stitch, so its fabric has smaller gaps between stitches than dc. That’s why it’s often chosen for hats and blankets; how warm an item is also depends on the yarn.

Why are there three loops on my hook?

That’s correct for hdc: the yarn over before inserting, plus the loop you pulled up, plus the working loop already on the hook.