If you can crochet a regular double crochet, a half double crochet will be a piece of cake. The half double crochet is another basic stitch that appears in many patterns and is therefore important to learn. The half double crochet has more height then the double crochet.
You start a new row of half double crochet stitches with 2 turning chains. The pattern will usually state whether this counts as the first stitch.
The abbreviation used in written crochet patterns is hdc. This is the symbol of the half double crochet which is used in crochet chart:
Video tutorial Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Photo-Tutorial Half Double Crochet (hdc)
1 – I will first show you how to make a half double crochet in a foundation chain. Yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook)
2 – Insert the hook in the 3th chain from the hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch.
3 – You now have 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
4 – This is your first half double crochet.
5 – A new row. You turn by working 2 chain stitches. Depending on the crochet pattern, this may or may not be considered the first stitch of the round.
6 – Yarn over. Insert your hook into the stitch. Yarn over again and pull through the stitch. (3 loops left on the hook).
7 – Yarn over. Pull yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
8 – Your half double crochet is finished. Continue working the row like this.
Do you want to learn more stitches? You can find an overview of the stitches HERE.