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Crochet » Basic Stitches »
Half-double crochet
Appearance in pattern - hdc
Instructions and Illustrations
Just as its name implies, this stitch eliminates one step of double crochet and works up about half as tall.
To practice, chain 13 stitches loosely.
Working Row 1
Step 1: Bring yarn once over hook from back to front, skip the first two chains, then insert hook in the third chain from the hook. |
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Remember not to count the loop on the hook as a chain.
Step 2: Hook yarn and draw it through the chain stitch and up onto the working area of the hook. You now have three loops on the hook.
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| Step 3: Hook yarn and draw it through all three loops on the hook in one motion. |
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| You have completed one half double crochet and one loop remains on the hook. |
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In next chain stitch, work a half double crochet as follows:
Step 1: Bring yarn once over hook from back to front, insert hook in next chain.
Step 2: Hook yarn and draw it through the chain stitch and up onto the working area of the hook. You now have three loops on the hook.
Step 3: Hook yarn and draw it through all three loops on the hook in one motion.
Repeat the previous three steps in each remaining chain stitch across. Stop and count your stitches: You should have 12 half double crochets, counting the first two chains you skipped at the beginning of the row as a half double crochet.
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Turn your work.
Working Row 2
Like double crochet, the turning chain counts as a stitch in half double crochet (unless your pattern specifies otherwise). Chain two, skip the first half double crochet of the previous row and work a half double crochet in the second stitch and in each remaining stitch across the previous row. At the end of the row, chain two and turn. |
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Here is the way the instructions might be written in a pattern:
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc, turn. (12 hdc)
Working Row 3
Row 3 is worked exactly as you worked row 2.
For practice, work three more rows, repeating row 2. Be sure to count your stitches carefully at the end of each row. When the practice rows are completed, fasten off. The photo shows a sample of six rows of half double crochet and how to count the stitches and the rows. |
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