Half Double Crochet
a mid-height fabric stitch that works up faster than double crochet but denser than single crochet
Half double crochet sits between single crochet and double crochet in height and density. It's called "half double" because the finished stitch is roughly half the height of a double crochet, made by carrying an extra loop through all three loops on the hook at once instead of working them off in two steps.
US "half double crochet" (hdc) is called "half treble crochet" (htr) in UK terms. This is one of the standard one-term shifts between the two systems: US names stitches one level below their UK counterpart in the naming ladder.
How to work it
- Yarn over before inserting your hook (this is what separates hdc from single crochet).
- Insert your hook into the next stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops at once. That's one half double crochet.
When to use it
Use hdc when double crochet feels too open and drapey for the project but single crochet feels too slow or too dense. It's a common choice for blankets, hats, and garments that need structure without stiffness.