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CAL: Half Double and Double Crochet Stitch

by | Crochet, Tutorials

Ready for more?

Yesterday, we learned how to handle the yarn, work up some chain stitches, and worked one row of single crochet stitches.  Today, we’ll review the single crochet, then move on to the double crochet and half double crochet stitch.  The concept is very similar, so you shouldn’t have too many problems.  But as always, if you do, ask questions!

You’ll need to turn your work in order to crochet back along the piece.  Before turning, most patterns will tell you to add 1 chain stitch.  Remember how you added the single crochet into the 2nd chain from hook.  Here, in order to SC into the 2nd chain from hook, you’ll need to create an extra chain, so that the “2nd” chain is actually the first chain in the piece.  Otherwise, you’ll start losing stitches.  So, in the picture below: Bring the yarn over the hook and draw it through the single loop on your hook to create a chain stitch.  Then turn the piece towards you.

Now, you can start a single crochet in the 2nd stitch from the hook, since the 1st stitch was that extra chain you added.  Insert the hook through the front and back loops (or below the entire V), as shown in the arrow.

This should be a review of the single crochet.  The hook is inserted through both front and back loops.  Yarn over, draw through the work to create 2 loops on hook.  Yarn over again, draw through both loops on hook.  1 SC created.

Double Crochet Stitch

Once you’ve finished the row of single crochet stitches, you’ll need to add extra chains and turn.  For a double crochet stitch, you’ll need to add 2 extra chains to accommodate the height of the double crochet.  Turn, and the first stitch will go into the 3rd stitch from the chain.

Double Crochet Stitch

After turning, bring the yarn over the hook.

Double Crochet Stitch

Insert the hook into the 3rd stitch from hook, through both front and back loops.  Bring yarn over the hook.

Double Crochet Stitch

Draw the yarn through the work, and you should have 3 loops on your hook.

Double Crochet Stitch

Yarn over hook, and draw yarn through first 2 loops.

Double Crochet Stitch

You should have 2 loops left on your hook.

Double Crochet Stitch

Yarn over hook again, and draw yarn through remaining 2 loops on hook.

Double Crochet Stitch

Double crochet stitch complete!

Double Crochet Stitch

Repeat one more time, and you should see two double crochet stitches, as well as the two chains at the far right of the work.

Double Crochet Stitch

 

Here’s a recap, from a different point of view:

 

Whew!  The Half Double Crochet Stitch should be a breeze!

Half Double Crochet Stitch

Yarn over the hook first.

Half Double Crochet Stitch

Insert hook into work, through both front and back loops.  Yarn over hook and draw yarn through work.

Half Double Crochet Stitch

You should have 3 loops on your hook.  So far, this is exactly like the double crochet.

Half Double Crochet Stitch

Yarn over hook again, but THIS TIME, draw the yarn through ALL 3 loops on the hook.

Half Double Crochet Stitch

That’s a half double crochet stitch complete!

Half Double Crochet Stitch

 

Feeling good?  You should! You’ve got enough basics to be dangerous now!  As with anything and most everything in life, practice makes perfect, so take some time to practice these stitches.  Drop me a line if you have questions!

5 Comments

  1. June K

    I just found your blog today and I am so excited. You don’t know how excited. Learning to crochet has been on my “to do” list for the last couple years. My mom taught me to crochet when I was a child so I have the very basics but she didn’t teach me any names of stitches (English was not her first language). I’ve been meaning to look up tutorials on the internet but your blog just “fell into my lap” and I can see that your instructions are so clear. I am so thankful for bloggers such as yourself who take the time to share their talents. I’ve added your blog to my GR because I don’t want to miss anything you to share. Many thanks.

  2. Samantha

    Oh fab tutorial and the pictures are brilliant!
    one question is this an american double crochet?

    thanks Samantha 🙂

  3. Sue LaRose

    I’ve been crocheting for years but not for awhile so thought I’d take a refresher course to be sure I was remembering corectly. Your sight is great found it through allfree crochet in my email. One question, I see you chained 2 before double crochet, do you chain any before 1/2 double crochet?

  4. ChiWei

    I always chain at least one, but for the half double crochet stitch, sometimes I chain 2 and sometimes I don’t. It depends on how it looks.

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