What is half-double crochet?
Half-double crochet (abbreviated 'hdc' in US patterns) is a medium-height stitch, roughly halfway between single crochet and double crochet in both height and drape. It produces softer, more flexible fabric than single crochet, but firmer and less airy than double crochet.
The 'half' in the name is accurate: it's worked with the same initial steps as double crochet, but the closing move pulls all 3 loops through in one pass instead of the two pull-throughs double crochet uses. That single closing pass is what gives half-double crochet its distinctive soft, rounded top.
In UK crochet terminology, the same stitch is called 'half treble crochet' (htr). See our how to read a crochet pattern guide for the full UK/US terminology reference. This tutorial uses US terms.
What you'll need
A 5mm crochet hook (our pick: the Clover Amour; full kit breakdown on our crochet starter kit page), a ball of smooth DK yarn in a light colour, and scissors.
Prerequisite: comfort with single crochet and ideally double crochet. Half-double crochet sits between them and is easiest to learn after both.
How to half-double crochet — step by step
Step 1. Make a foundation chain of 15–20 stitches.
Step 2. Yarn over BEFORE inserting the hook. (Same as double crochet — this is the move that separates sc from hdc/dc.)
Step 3. Insert the hook into the THIRD chain from the hook. (The first two chains form the turning chain and count as your first half-double crochet — so you skip them.)
Step 4. Yarn over. Pull up a loop through the chain. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 5. Yarn over. Pull through ALL 3 loops in one motion. You have 1 loop left on the hook.
That's one half-double crochet. The single 'pull through all 3' is what makes hdc different from dc (which pulls through 2 at a time).
Step 6. For the next stitch: yarn over, insert into the next chain, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3.
Step 7. Continue across the row.
Step 8. At the end of the row: chain 2. Turn your work. In most patterns, the chain-2 counts as the first half-double crochet of the next row — though this varies. Check your specific pattern.
Step 9. Work hdc into each stitch across the next row. The last hdc of the row usually goes into the top of the chain-2 turning chain from the previous row.
Common half-double crochet mistakes (and quick fixes)
Treating hdc like dc. If you pull through 2 loops then 2 more, you've made a double crochet, not a half-double. Remember: hdc closes all 3 loops in one motion.
Turning chain confusion. hdc is one of the few stitches where patterns disagree on whether the turning chain counts as a stitch. Some patterns say ch 2 counts; others say it doesn't. Always check your pattern to avoid ending up with an extra or missing stitch.
Difficulty pulling through 3 loops. If the closing pull-through feels hard, your tension may be too tight. Ease up on your grip and let the yarn flow more loosely through the loops.
Piece getting narrower over rows. Usually because you're not working the last hdc into the top of the previous row's turning chain. Count stitches at the end of each row until you can spot the turning chain by feel.
Why hdc matters — what it gives you that sc and dc don't
Half-double crochet's real magic is its fabric behaviour. It has the drape of double crochet but more density than dc. This makes it the standard stitch for beanies (where you want a slightly stretchy hug-fit) and baby blankets (where softness matters more than speed).
It also has a distinctive 'third loop' on the top back of each stitch — there are three visible loops across the top, not two. Advanced crocheters sometimes work into that third loop to create subtle horizontal lines in the fabric, a technique called 'herringbone hdc' or 'camel hdc'. You don't need to know this yet — but it's why hdc is visually more interesting than its mid-height would suggest.
Three projects where half-double crochet shines
A beanie or slouchy hat. hdc's stretch and drape makes it the default stitch for beginner hats. Most free beginner hat patterns use hdc exclusively. Our how to crochet a beanie tutorial walks through a basic hdc beanie.
A baby blanket. Softer than double crochet, more drape than single crochet. A 80×100 cm hdc baby blanket is roughly 25–35 hours of work.
Amigurumi alternative. Some amigurumi patterns use hdc instead of sc for a subtly softer toy with a slightly more defined stitch pattern. Less common than sc amigurumi but worth trying on your second or third amigurumi.
What to learn after half-double crochet
With single, half-double and double crochet under your belt, you've got the three core stitches that cover 80%+ of beginner patterns. Natural next steps: how to crochet a magic ring (essential for working in the round, hats and amigurumi), how to change colour in crochet (opens up stripes and colourwork), and working on decorative textured stitches like moss and waffle stitch.