Herringbone Half Double Crochet

Herringbone half double crochet is an ordinary half double crochet worked with a small change that makes each stitch lean, so rows of it slant into a woven herringbone grain. After the yarn over and insertion, you pull the first loop through and immediately draw it through the loop already on the hook before completing the stitch, which tips the post over and tightens it. The leaning posts pack together into a dense, notably flat fabric with far less of the gappy, bumpy look of standard half double crochet, and worked in rows the slant alternates or repeats into the diagonal herringbone texture. Because it is tight and flat with little curl, it is excellent for blankets, structured garments, and bags where you want a smooth, sturdy fabric that still grows at half-double pace. It uses a similar amount of yarn to a normal half double crochet but produces a firmer result. The only new move is pulling through that extra loop early, so keep it consistent on every stitch and work a touch loosely, since the technique can tighten your gauge.