21 Half Double Crochet Stitch Variations

Half Double Crochet Stitch Variations  by Janice Jones  

The half-double crochet stitch is one of those basic stitches that beginning crocheters learn and is extremely useful for many different projects. 

The basic half double crochet stitch is normally mastered early when one learns to crochet.  It is one of six fundamental stitches that is part of any beginner course: (US Terminology applies)

Single Crochet
Half Double Crochet 
Double Crochet
Treble Crochet
Slip Stitch
Chain Stitch

Half Double Crochet Abbreviation & Symbol

I am in the US, so I am using US terminology. You may also see this stitch called the Half Treble Crochet (htr) in the U.K.

hdc or Hdc (htr in the UK)

But did you know you can use it to create many different looks by slightly altering how you work the stitch?  All stitches on this page are beginner-friendly and use the basic half double crochet. 

First let's look at the easiest way to make the half double crochet stitch.

Basic Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc)

21 Half Double Crochet Stitch Variations:  Table of Contents

1. Ribbed Half Double Crochet (Ribbed hdc) Half Double Crochet Stitch worked in the Back Loop only. 
2. Half Double Crochet Post Stitches (Both Front and Back)
3. Half Double Crochet V Stitch
4. Twisted Half Double Crochet: Yarn Under Half Double Crochet
5. Extended Half Double Crochet
6. Half Double Crochet Puff Stitch
7. Half Double Crochet Squared Mesh Stitch
8. Cluster Stitch using the Half Double Crochet Stitch
9. Half Double Crochet Offset Stitch
10. Forked Half Double Crochet 
11. Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitch
12. Half Double Crochet Bobble Stitch
13. Color Variations using the Half Double Crochet
14. Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch
15. Half Double Crochet Chevron Stitch
16. Linked Half Double Crochet Stitch Pattern
17. Half Double Crochet Granny Square
18. Half Double Crochet Spike Stitch
19. Crossed Half Double Crochet Stitch
20. Star Crochet Stitch
21. Crochet Crunch Stitch

21 Half Double Crochet Stitch Variations

1. Ribbed Half Double Crochet (Ribbed hdc) Half Double Crochet (BPhdc)

If you work the half-double crochet stitch as usual but only in the back loop of the stitch from the row below, you will create a fabric that resembles a knitted rib stitch.

This ribbed texture fabric is great for cuffs, edges, and other decorative details and is easy to master. You can create a single crochet rib stitch or practice your half double crochet stitch to make ribbing for a hat.

It's created very much like the single crochet rib stitch.  Learn how to make the Ribbed Half Double Crochet Stitch.

2. Half Double Crochet Post Stitches 
(hdcfp) Horizontal Half Double Crochet Post Stitch Ribbing

Post stitches are commonly made with all crochet stitches.  For example, the double crochet post stitch creates a very textured fabric perfect for several projects. 

Likewise, working around the posts, the half double crochet post stitches can create something magically, whether you work around the front or the back or alternate. The sample above is worked around the front post of the stitch on every other row.  

Half Double Crochet Post Stitch Tutorials

3. Half Double Crochet V-Stitch

Do you love crochet V stitches?  They are so easy and beginner friendly and lend themselves to making blankets, scarves, cowls, and even washcloths. 

Again, I'll admit that the first thing that comes to mind is the double crochet v stitch, but there's no reason why you can't make beautiful projects using the half double crochet v stitch.

Half Double Crochet v Stitch Tutorial and Free Pattern

4. Yarn Under Half Double Crochet:  Twisted Half Double Crochet

Typically, we crochet by moving the yarn over the hook before making a stitch.  If you do a yarn under, you create a twisted stitch.  Usually, this would be a mistake, but in this case, it has made a different look - A Twisted Half Double Crochet.  

When working with a larger hook than the yarn weight is recommended, you can create a drapy, lacy fabric that is perfect for a scarf or shawl.

It's a bit tricky to work because you have to concentrate on the stitches in a way that is not natural.  

Twisted Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

5.  Extended Half Double Crochet

This is a super easy way to change the appearance of a typical half-double crochet by making it taller.  It's created by adding a simple chain stitch before pulling through the three loops on the hook. 

The result may appear as tall as a double crochet stitch, but its appearance is a subtle difference. The best part is that it works quickly and can be used to create all the same projects. You might choose to use a half-double crochet stitch.

Extended Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

6.  Half Double Crochet Puff Stitch

This beautiful, textured half double crochet stitch is perfect for use in a wide variety of projects from hats, mittens, scarves and cowls to pillow covers and even makeup removal pads.  It has several variations depending on on the size you want your puffs to be.

Learn how to make the Half Double Crochet Puff Stitch.

7. Half Double Crochet Squared Mesh Stitch

Are you interested in making something open and airy and not ready to tackle filet crochet? Then this stitch might be your new best friend.

It's as simple as working a half double crochet, chaining one, and skipping the next stitch.  You'll find it much easier than filet, and it works quickly. If you can make chains and half-double crochet stitches, you can create this.

I worked the swatched show on an even number of chains.

Half Double Crochet Squared Mesh Stitch Tutorial

8. Cluster Stitch Using the Half Double Crochet Stitch

I love clusters, do you?  But I've always thought of clusters as worked with the mainstay of crochet:  the double crochet.  But that's not the case.  Half double crochet cluster stitches can be petite, lovely, and easy to make.

The directions for making the Double Crochet and the Half Double Crochet Cluster Stitch are practically the same, but it is worth a separate page of instructions on how to make the Half-Double Crochet Cluster Stitch. 

9. Half Double Crochet Offset Stitch

This stitch is like a half-double crochet stitch, but the fabric looks very different.  The only difference is where you put your hook when making the stitches.  For this pattern, we are inserting the hook between the posts of the stitches in the row below rather than in the top loops.  I think it has the look of a lovely woven fabric.

Half Double Crochet Offset Stitch Tutorial

10. Forked Half Double Crochet

Forked Half Double Crochet, abbreviated Fhdc, is an easy stitch that makes a fantastic textured fabric.  It's a one-row repeat that you can work on several stitches.

Each forked half double crochet stitch is worked into two of the stitches from the previous row.  This pattern creates a thick, textured, yet drapy fabric that would be great for a blanket, placemats, dishcloths, cup cozy, or other projects requiring a slightly thicker material than you might expect in the traditional half double crochet stitch.

Forked Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

11. Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitch

This is an exciting stitch because it starts as a half-double crochet stitch but works similarly to a double crochet.  The subtle difference creates a stitch that is not as straight and tall as you might expect for a double crochet—instead, the stitches slant to the left.  

The one-row repeat creates the herringbone appearance as each row's stitches slant in opposite directions.

Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitch

12. Color Variations using the Half Double Crochet

Colorwork is usually not considered a beginner-level skill, but some straightforward color changes can be worked with half-double crochet.  In the swatch shown above, two beginner-friendly changes include changing colors in the row's middle and at the rows' ends.  Here is more information about changing colors in crochet.

13. Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch

This is very easy to do as long as you know how to make the half double crochet and the slip stitch because both are combined in each row. It is made with an odd number of chains and creates a very dense fabric

Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch Tutorial

14. Wide Half-Double Crochet Stitch

This stitch pattern is a slight variation of the normal half-double crochet, yet this small change  makes an interesting textured pattern great for many different types of projects.

Learn how to make the Wide Half-Double Crochet Stitch

15.  Linked Half-Double Crochet Stitch Pattern

Typically, when you make the half-double crochet, you have a gap between stitches.  Please check the half-double crochet at the top of this page.  

You eliminate that gap when you make the linked half double crochet stitch.  This is not a tricky stitch to master, but it does require you to keep your tension loose so you can work into the last bar in the stitch you just created and then the next chain or stitch before pulling through three loops on the hook.

Linked Half Double Crochet Stitch Pattern Tutorial

16.  Half Double Crochet Spike Stitch

This one is a little different from all the half-double crochet stitch variations.  It is worked on a combination of two crochet stitches, the spike half double and single crochet.

This stitch adds a little interest and color if you so choose.  It's best worked over single crochet stitches and can be worked in one color to add an additional layer of texture or a contrasting color. It can be made entirely of half-double crochet stitches if you like.

Half Double Crochet Spike Stitch Tutorial

17. Crossed Half Double Crochet Stitch

This stitch creates an attractive textured fabric for projects needing a thick texture, such as mittens or fingerless gloves. What results is a dense texture that appears as little crosses or x's across the row?   

You make this by skipping a stitch, making a half-double crochet stitch in the next stitch, and creating one more half-double stitch into the skipped stitch while working in front of the stitch just made.

Crossed Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

18.  Star Crochet Stitch

The star stitch, which as goes by the name daisy stitch, is created with predominantely half double crochet stitches.  As the name suggests, the fabric looks like little stars which are produced in a simple two row repeats.  It is not reversible and the star pattern can only be seen on the right side of the fabric.

This is probably a more advanced stitch that can be challenging for beginners, but once you know where to insert your hook, you'll find it's not as complicated as you might initially have thought.

Crochet Star Stitch Tutorial

19. Crochet Crunch Stitch

This is a textured crochet stitch that uses half doubl crochet stitches and slip stitches to make a thick fabric that is perfect for making washcloths, wrist warmers, scarves, placemats and 3-dimensional objects such as bowls and cups cup holders.  

As long as you know how to make the half double crochet and slip stitch, you can make the Crochet Crunch Stitch.

Worked over a multiple of 2 plus 1 and a two row repeat. 

Learn how to make the Crochet Crunch Stitch

20.  Knotted Half-Double Crochet Stitch

Here is a fun stitch that creates a fabric that almost looks like a rope stitch. It takes a little longer to make, not because it is difficult, but because the half-double crochet stitches are flatter than expected.  Between each row of the unique half-double crochet stitches is a row of single crochet stitches.  It worked over a 2-row repeat and any number of stitches plus one for the turning chain.

Half Double Crochet Knotted Stitch

21. Staggered Half-Double Crochet Pairs Stitch

This easy crochet stitches uses the half-double crochet two together (Hdc2tog) to make a fabric that is highly textured, lays flat, and creates straight sides making it perfect for projects such as scarves and blankets. It's also reversible, an added plus. The only skills needed for this stitch pattern is the half-double crochet and chain stitch.

Discover the Staggered Half-Double Crochet Pairs Stitch

Half Double Crochet Stitch Variations:  Conclusion

There are so many ways to use the half double crochet and I am sure I have not found them all.  Please contact me if you know of more as I'd love to add your suggestions to this page.

Additional Resources for Crochet Stitches and Half Double Crchet Stitch Variations

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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