Half Double Crochet V Stitch: How-to Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Half Double Crochet V Stitch  by Janice Jones  |Published 10-19-2023.

If you love the traditional Double Crochet v-stitch, you'll appreciate the versatility of the half double crochet v stitch.  It sports a lovely texture and it is reversible making it ideal for a wide variety of projects where the front and back sides show to the public.  

The good news is that it is truly a beginner-friendly stitch that is easy to master and since it works up quickly, many people love this stitch when creating scarves and shawls.

Swatch of the half double crochet v stitch worked with 100% cotton yarn.Half Double Crochet V Stitch

In this article, I will walk you through how to make a practice swatch and then provide you with a free pattern for wrist warmers that uses the half double crochet v stitch.

What can you make with the Half Double Crochet V stitch?

There are many posibilities for this lacey fabric including some of those below

  • Dishcloth 
  • Scarves
  • Shawls 
  • Crochet Market Bags
  • Pillow Covers
  • Blankets of all sizes
  • Placemats
  • Mittens or Fingerless gloves

How to Make the Half Double Crochet V Stitch?

In this tutorial, we will make a swatch of the half double crochet v stitch. You will need some yarn and a hook that corresponds to the size of the yarn you are using.

I am using an H or 5.0 mm hook and a Worsted Yarn or Number 4 yarn.

This stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 or an even number of stitches.

The v-stitch is worked as follows:  One half double crochet, chain one, one half double crochet (hdc, ch1, hdc). 

For the first row, the v-st is worked in every other chain stitch.  For rows 2 and beyond, the v-st is worked in the chain spaces created in the previous row.

I chained 20 for this swatch. (Feel free to create whatever size practice swatch you prefer.) OR, scroll down to my fingerless glove pattern, and learn the Half Double Crochet V-stitch while making yourself a pair of super soft gloves.

Abbreviations

ch(s): chain(s)

hdc:  half double crochet

sl st:  slip stitch

sc:  single crochet

v-st:  (hdc, ch 1, hdc) worked in ch-1 space

Note to Beginners

This is not a difficult stitch, however, it can seem that way if you can't find the chain-one space.  For this reason, I recommend that you choose a yarn that is light-colored and smooth as dark yarns that are fuzzy can mask the chain-one space.

Directions

Ch 20.

Row 1:  Work (1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in 4th ch from hook, skip next ch. *(1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in next ch, skip next ch; Repeat from * to last ch, 1hdc in top of ch-3, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * to end of row, 1 hdc in last hdc from previous row.

Repeat row 2 until you reached your desired length.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

half double crochet v stitch tutorial with marked and labeled parts

Make an even number of chains.

Step by step instructions for making the half double crochet v stitch: step one

Work into the 4th chain from hook.

Half double crochet v stitch: step 2

Create one Half Double Crochet V stitch (hdc, ch, hdc) the skip one chain.

Half double crochet v stitch: step 3

Continue making Hdc v-stitches across row to last two chains. Skip next chain and make hdc in last ch.

half double crochet v stitch step 4

Working Row 2, Ch 1, then hdc in first hdc, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * to end of row, 1 hdc in last hdc from previous row.

Half double crochet v stitch step 5

Repeat row 2 for the stitch pattern.

Half double crochet v stitch, step 6

Fingerless Gloves Made with the Half Double Crochet V Stitch

Half double crochet v stitch fingerless gloves

Want to put your new skills to good use with a pair of half double crochet v stitch fingerless gloves.  

This stitch works up quickly and is an easy pattern for beginners to tackle.

Materials Needed

  • Lion Brand Mandala Ombre, color Chi
  • 5.0 (H) Hook
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry Needle

Skill Level

From the Craft Yarn Council, the symbol used to determine the skill level required to finish the project.

Basic Level

Abbreviations

hdc - half double crochet

CO - Cast on

RS - Right Side

WS - Wrong side

*  *  Repeat instructions between astricks

Ch - Chain

Size

Measure your hand before beginning.  The size of the fingerless gloves is large enough to have a fold over for cuffs at one end.  You can also turn them around and have a pair of fingerless gloves that can be folded over to cover your fingers.

Directions

v-st:  (1 hdc, ch 1, 1 hdc) worked in ch-1 space

Ch 24,

Row 1: Work (1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in 4th ch from hook, skip next ch. *(1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in next ch, skip next ch; Repeat from * to last ch, 1hdc in top of ch-3, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * to end of row, 1 hdc in last hdc from previous row.

Repeat row 2 until you reached your desired length. Fasten off, weave in ends.

**My fingerless gloves were 8 inches long.

Finishing

Stitch edge, leaving a space for the thumb.  Add a border if desired.

For my gloves, I added a shell stitch border.  

Row 1.  Work one sc in each stitch around.  Sl st to connect in the round.

Row 2:  5 dc in 2nd st from hook.  Sl st in next st, sk one st. *5 dc in next st, sl st in next st. Repeat from * across to end. End with sl st in last st.  Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Half double crochet v stitch lying on a surface
Half double crochet v stitch gloves worn by a woman

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About Janice

I've been kniting and crocheting since childhood, but never got serious until about 4 years ago. Taking classes, reading books, and most importantly, practicing, I've gained an understanding of how one might struggle when learning to knit or crochet. 

Now, I'm on a mission to help others learn how to knit and crochet, and to love these needlearts as much as I do. More about Janice.