Lesson 8: Half Double Crochet (hdc)

The first few steps for making this stitch are just like the double crochet. That's why it is called half-double crochet.

Foundation Chain and First Row

For a practice swatch of 12 stitches, make a foundation chain of 14 stitches. Holding the foundation chain with the front facing you, yarn over and put the hook into the third chain from the hook.

Yarn over again and pull the hook through the chain. You should now have three loops on your hook.

Yarn over again, and pull the hook through all three loops. You should end up with one loop on the hook. You have just completed one half-double crochet.
 
Continue across the row, making one half-double crochet in each chain.

When you reach the end of the row, count your stitches. You should have 12 half-double crochet stitches in the row. Chain 2 for your turning chain and turn your work.

Second Row and all other rows

Make a half-double crochet by putting the hook into the first stitch. Insert the hook in the same way you did for the second row of single crochet, under the "chain" on top of the stitch. Work one half-double crochet in each stitch across the row. The last stitch should be worked into the last half-double crochet of the previous row. Ignore the chain 2 at the end.

Always count your stitches. There should be 12 stitches in the row. Chain 2 and turn to continue.