Half Double Crochet Mesh Stitch

There are many ways to make mesh stitches including double crochet and single crochet mesh stitches.  The half double crochet mesh stitch as you would suspect is half way between both the larger double crochet and shorter single crochet.  

Being the "middle child," however doesn't make it less important and in fact, this might be your next favorite mesh stitch for making market bags, shawls, and even blankets and scarves.  It's lacy, drapy and lays flat without much blocking.

Skill Level

Easy

Skills Needed to Make this Stitch

Slip Knot and Chain stitch

Half Double Crochet

Weave in Ends

Materials Needed for this Tutorial

• For this tutorial, I am using Lion Brand's 24/7 100% Cotton yarn
• US H (5.0 mm) hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Notes

• All instructions use US Terminology
• Chain 3 at the beginning of the row counts as a half double crochet stitch and one chain.
• Be care to work under both loops of previous stitches

Instructions

Chain an even number of chains.

Row One:

Half Double crochet into the second chain from your hook, * chain one, skip the next stitch, half double crochet into the next stitch.  Repeat from * across ending with a chain one and a half double crochet in the top of the chain 3 space.   Chain three and turn your work.  The chain three consists of the first half double crochet and one chain.

Row Two:

Skip the first chain one space (the turning chain counts as the first stitch) , half double crochet in the next stitch, *chain one, skip the next chain one space, half double crochet in the next single crochet stitch.  Repeat from * across to the end.  Chain three and turn your work.

Row Three:

Skip the first chain one space, half double crochet in the next stitch, *chain one, skip the next chain one space, half double crochet in the next single crochet stitch. Repeat from * across to the starting chain three, skip the next chain stitch, half double crochet into the next chain.

Repeat row three until you reach your desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

How these Instructions Look in a Pattern

Ch an even number 

Row One: Hdc in 2nd ch, *ch 1, skip next chain, hdc in next ch, repeat from * across the row.  Turn.  

Row Two: Ch 3. (counts as hdc and ch1 throughout).  *Skip ch, hdc in hdc, repeat from * across. Turn

Row Three: Ch 3.  *Skip ch, hdc in hdc, rep from * across.  Hdc in top of Ch-3.  Turn.

Repeat row three until you reach your desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

So this method is great if you want to make a scarf or blanket but what if you need to learn how to increase or decrease with the half double crochet mesh stitch?

Increasing and Decreasing the Half Double Crochet Mesh Stitch

Sometimes it is necessary to shape your half double crochet mesh stitch and that can be a little challenging.  Here are some instructions that I hope will make it a little easier for you to either increase or decrease.  If you want to practice, start with a chain that includes an even number.

How to Increase

In this tutorial, we will be increasing at each end of the row on every other row.

Row 1:  Half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, *Chain 1, skip next chain, half double crochet in next chain, Repeat from * across,  Make two half double crochet stitches in last chain.  Turn.

Row 2:  Chain 3 (Counts as one half double crochet and one chain here and throughout). Skip the first chain one space, half double crochet in the next stitch, *chain one, skip the next chain one space, half double crochet in the next single crochet stitch.  Repeat from * across to the end.  Chain three and turn your work.

Row 3:  Increase row.  Half double crochet in 1st chain from hook, *Chain 1, skip next chain, half double crochet in next chain, Repeat from * across,  Make two half double crochet stitches in last chain.  Turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you reach your desired length.  

How to Decrease

I started with 20 chain stitches. The first row without an decreases.

Row 1: Half Double crochet into the second chain from your hook, * chain one, skip the next stitch, half double crochet into the next stitch.  Repeat from * across, ending with a half double crochet in the top of the chain 3 space.  Chain three and turn your work.  

Row 2:  Decrease  Row.  Skip the first chain and work your first half double crochet into the next chain from your hook, * chain one, skip the next stitch, half double crochet into the next stitch.  Repeat from * across to the last half double crochet and turning chain. Skip the last half double crochet,  Ch 1 and make one more Half double crochet stitch in the top of the chain three.  Chain three and turn your work.  

Row 3 and Beyond:  Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have created the number of decreases desired.

Crochet Symbols and Charts

Simple designs such as this one rarely require a chart, but it's never too early to learn how to read crochet symbols and crocheting from a chart.  Here is what a chart would look like for the Half Double Crochet Mesh Stitch.

Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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