Knotted Half Double Crochet Stitch:  Tutorial and Tips

While searching for a new crochet stitch to add to my repertoire, I stumbled on the knotted half double crochet stitch. I was thrilled that I had found a tight stitch that I could use to make a purse or crocheted tote bag.

What I wasn’t expecting when I started to dive deeper into the stitch was the number of variations I found. Each stitch pattern tutorial I stumbled upon seemed to work the stitch differently. Now, that’s not unique, but this one was puzzling.

So, I went through every crochet stitch book I owned and found nothing – No mention of it. Odd! So, I’m offering you this crochet stitch tutorial with one caveat. There may be more than one way to work it.

The fabric I worked on was just what I needed for a crochet purse. Thick, dense, and strong enough to withstand even the heaviest things you may want to put in your purse. By the way, if you want to jump directly to the free pattern Knotted Crochet Purse Pattern, feel free to do so.

It’s not entirely reversible but looks terrific on both sides. It’s also a stitch that you can use with nearly all yarn weights, so if you need something super thick, try it with chunky or bulky weight yarn.

Knotted Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial

Skill Level

Easy

Skills Needed

• Single Crochet Stitch
• Half Double Crochet Stitch
• Slip Knot and Chain Stitch
• Weave in Ends

Abbreviations

Sc – Single Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Ch – Chain
Ch st – chain stitch
( ) Instructions are worked together, into one stitch or space.
RS – right side

Notes

• All instructions here and elsewhere on this site use US Terminology
• This pattern is a 2-row repeat and can be worked on any number of chains/stitches.

Supplies Used for the Swatch Tutorial

• You will need some yarn and an appropriate hook.
• For this swatch tutorial, I am using Patons Classic Wool Worsted in colorway Pink Quartz and my Clover Soft Touch H/5.0 mm hook.
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle

Instruction

Chain any number.

For this tutorial, I made a 21—chain 20 plus one for turning the chain.

Row 1: Sc in in the first chain from the hook and then in each chain across the row. Ch. 2 and turn. 

Row 2: Beginning in the first stitch, *YO insert hook, pull up a loop, then pull through all three loops on the hook without any further YO as you normally would if you were making a half-double crochet stitch.  Continue from * to the end of the row.  Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Sc in each stitch across the row.

Work rows 2 and 3 until you reach your desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Notes and Tips

If you are like me, it is so easy to make the half-double crochet stitch with that extra yarn over.

You may need to concentrate on this otherwise easy stitch pattern until you get the hang of it. Then, it’s time to binge on your favorite show and let your fingers do all the work.

What I love and Hate About this Stitch

Let's face it, all stitches are not created equally.  Some are easy and some are more challenging.  Some seem to lend themselves to specific projects where others are universally useable.  To me, the knotted half double crochet stitch has it's pros and cons.

Pros

• The fabric produced looks interesting and not like anything else I've encountered.
• After getting the hang of this stitch, it works up quickly.

Cons

• If you have been crocheting for awhile and developed a good muscle memory for making a half double crochet stitch, you need to really concentrate on what you are doing.
• It tends to stretch in an odd way so anything I create with this stitch requires blocking.
• To avoid stretching, I found that cotton and aran weight acrylic yarns worked better than 100% wool or softer acrylic yarn.
• It uses more yarn than you would if you were just making a typical half double crochet stitch.

More Half Double Crochet Variations

Last Words

In conclusion, the knotted half double crochet stitch is a unique and interesting variation on the classic half double crochet. While it may take some practice to master, especially for those with a strong muscle memory for the traditional half double crochet, the resulting fabric is dense, strong, and visually appealing. This stitch is particularly well-suited for projects that require a sturdy fabric, such as purses or tote bags.

However, it's important to keep in mind that this stitch tends to stretch in a peculiar way, so blocking may be necessary for finished projects. Additionally, the knotted half double crochet stitch works best with certain types of yarn, such as cotton or aran weight acrylic, to minimize stretching. Despite these minor drawbacks, the knotted half double crochet stitch is a valuable addition to any crocheter's skill set, offering a new texture and look to explore in future projects.  Happy Crocheting,

Janice

Knotted Half Double Crochet Stitch:  Pin for Future Reference

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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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