Foundation Double Crochet Uk? Top 6 Best Answers

Half double crochet is a beautiful crochet stitch; it’s simple but versatile. It is one of the basic crochet stitches that a beginner should master when learning to crochet. This guide will show you how to crochet the HDC stitch and tips on working with half double crochets. Beginners who have already mastered single crochet and double crochet would do well to try this stitch next.

As the name suggests, HDC is taller than single crochet but shorter than single crochet. It is a basic crochet stitch and is worked similarly to these two basic stitches. A slight difference creates a unique third loop and the lower height.

Half double crochet is one of the most common crochet stitches.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to crochet half double crochet and give you lots of tips for working with HDC stitches in patterns.

Half double crochet, often abbreviated HDC, is one of the 6 basic crochet stitches. It’s a beginner-friendly stitch that’s easy to learn and fun to do.

Once you have learned chain stitches and single crochets, you can learn half double crochet.

What is half chopstick?

The half double crochet is higher than a single crochet stitch, but shorter than a double crochet. The process of crocheting half double crochet is very similar to basic crochet, with an extra yarn over at the beginning.

In the US it’s called half double crochet. In the UK it’s called half double crochet.

Half double crochet gives a solid crocheted fabric with no holes. It’s an easy stitch that works well for a variety of crochet projects, like baby blankets, pillows, scarves, and warm sweaters.

How to crochet half double crochet

Half double crochet is very similar to single crochet and double crochet – with a few key differences.

With the half double crochet you start the stitch with a yarn over. And then, at the end of the stitch, pull the yarn through three loops on the hook instead of the usual two. This creates a special third loop unique to HDC fabrics.

To create an HDC stitch:

Yarn over and insert the crochet hook into the next stitch.

Yarn over and pull up a loop.

Yarn over again and pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook.

You can crochet half double crochet in rows or rounds. Make a twisting chain of two to start a new row or round.

Does the turning chain count as a stitch?

A turning chain is a series of chain stitches you make at the beginning of a row to get the yarn the right height for the next stitch.

In HDC, the turning chain sometimes counts as a stitch. It depends on the pattern and the designer.

In the pattern introduction, you will learn how to treat the turning chain and whether it counts as a stitch or not.

If the turning chain counts as a stitch, skip the first stitch and make the first HDC the second stitch. Make the last stitch of a row into the tip of the turning chain stitch from the previous row.

If the turning chain does not count as a stitch, make the first HDC the first stitch (the same as the base of the turning chain). Make the last stitch of the row into the last HDC of the previous row.

Half double crochet step by step for beginners

First select a thread and the corresponding needle. For beginners, I recommend using a smooth worsted yarn and an ergonomic hook. Choose a light colored yarn so you can see your stitches better.

When starting a new project, tie a slip knot and foundation chain. Begin your first half double crochet in the 3rd chain stitch from the hook. (Remember, we don’t count the chain around the hook.)

Make the first half double crochet.

Step 1: Envelope (UM) back to front.

Step 2: Insert the needle into the next stitch. Place the tip of the crochet hook under the two loops at the top of the stitch.

Step 3: Yarn over (UM) and pull the yarn through the stitch.

You should now have three loops on the hook.

Step 4: Place the yarn back over the hook and pull it through all three loops on the hook.

You should now have one loop left on the hook.

Well done! You have now crocheted half a double crochet (HDC).

Continue through the row.

To make the next HDC: yarn over (UM) and insert the needle into the next stitch. Yarn over (UM) and pull through the stitch. Yarn over (UM) and pull through all three loops on hook. This completes the second HDC.

Crochet 1 half double crochet in each of the remaining stitches.

Start row 2

To add another row of half double crochets, crochet 2 chain stitches and turn your work. You are now looking at the back of your pattern.

Remember: some patterns count the turning chain stitch as a stitch; others not. Read the pattern introduction carefully to know what the pattern designer has in mind for you.

The image below shows the start of a new row where the turning chain stitch does not count as a stitch. As such you can see the ch-2 turning chain and the first HDC of the row made in the first stitch.

fastening off

After the last stitch, cut the yarn leaving a 6 inch tail. Lift the needle straight up and pull the yarn end through the last stitch. Pull the thread end to tighten the last stitch. Sew in the yarn ends with a tapestry needle.

How to do a half double crochet increase

It is very easy to increase in half double crochet.

To make an HDC increase, simply make 2 HDC in one stitch. This increase increases your stitch count by one stitch.

You can also make 3 or even 4 HDC in the same stitch.

How to do a half double crochet decrease

A half double crochet decrease joins two adjacent stitches into one stitch. You can see the half double crochet decrease as hdc2tog (half double crochet two together) or just abbreviate HDC Dec.

There are a few ways to do HDC reduction. I’ll show you three different ways.

Standard HDC acceptance

Yarn over and insert needle into stitch.

Fold over and pull up a loop. (3 loops on the hook.)

Keeping these 3 loops on the hook, make a yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. (4 loops on the hook.)

Fold over and pull up a loop. (5 loops on the hook.)

Fold over and pull through all five loops.

five loops on the hook

completed HDC acceptance

Less bulky HDC pickup

Here’s a variation on the half double crochet decrease that’s a little less bulky. To do this, omit the yarn over in the second stitch of the decrease.

Yarn over and insert needle into stitch.

Fold over and pull up a loop. (3 loops on the hook.)

Do not yarn over (yarn over), insert the needle into the next stitch.

Fold over and pull up a loop. (4 loops on the hook.)

Fold over and pull through all four loops.

Invisible HDC decrease

Here’s another variation on HDC pickup that produces a very seamless looking pickup. I use this decrease in my baby booties crochet pattern.

Here’s how to do it. Instead of threading the hook through both loops, thread the hook through only the front loops.

Yarn over and insert the needle into the front loop of the stitch. (Don’t pull up a loop.)

Do not yarn over, pass the needle through the front stitch of the next stitch. (4 loops on the hook)

Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the crochet hook. (You should now have 3 loops on the hook.)

Yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the crochet hook.

Variations on half double crochet stitches

You can crochet half double crochet variations by working in different stitches.

Working with HDC in different loops

To make a regular half double crochet, thread your yarn through the top two loops, also known as the front loop and back loop.

You can create variations on the standard HDC stitch loop by working in the back loop, front loop, third loop, or combination of loops.

HDC BLO

A very common variation of HDC is called “half double crochet back loop only”, abbreviated as HDC BLO.

To do HDC BLO, do the HDC as usual – the only thing that changes is where you put your hook. Instead of inserting the hook under both the front and back loop of each stitch, insert the hook only under the back loop.

This simple difference will completely change the look of the finished pattern, giving it a ribbed, knitted look.

HDC in the 3rd loop

You can also crochet half double crochet in the 3rd loop. This gives the fabric a braided, knit-like appearance.

The 3rd loop is the horizontal bar that forms behind each HDC stitch. It is formed by the yarn over (UM) you make at the beginning of the HDC stitch.

If you crochet in rows you will see the 3rd loop as soon as you turn the work wrong side to crochet the next row. With the wrong side of the work facing you, find the 3rd loop in front of and under the front loop.

If you crochet in rounds you will see the 3rd stitch on the left side of the piece. To find it, tilt the work towards you and look behind and under the back loop.

camel sting

Camel stitch refers to making half double crochets in the 3rd loop when working in the round. You will remember that when crocheting in the round you will find the 3rd loop behind the back loop on the left.

By crocheting into the third loop, slide the front and back loops towards the front of the piece. When you crochet camel stitch rounds, the V-shaped loops start to resemble a knit fabric.

HDC corrugation

HDC ribbing can refer to a few different stitch patterns. In some cases it refers to HDC made only in the back loop when crocheting in rows. In other cases it refers to HDC made only in the 3rd loop when crocheting in rows.

Half double crochet pattern

Here are some free crochet patterns that use half double crochet.

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Half Double Crochet Yield: 1 Active Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy Estimated Cost: 1 How to Crochet Half Double Crochet, often abbreviated to HDC Print Materials Yarn Tools Crochet Hook

Scissors Instructions Yarn over and insert the crochet hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again and pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook.

Make a turning chain of 2 to start a new row. Instructions For step-by-step photos and more information, see the post above. Featured Products As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Crochet hook, size L/8.0 mm

Crochet Hooks – Set of 5

Bernat Maker Home Dec Yarn Did you make this project? Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Sarah Stearns has helped thousands of makers find their next craft project with free patterns and step-by-step tutorials on her blog, sarahmaker.com. Continue reading. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, Apartment Therapy, Lifehacker, and more.

British and US crochet terminology

It would be great if crochet terms were the same all over the world, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, this is not the case.

There is a difference between British crochet terms (UK terms) and American English crochet terms (US terms).

Patterns from British magazines and Australian-based designers often use British terms, while American designers often use US terms. So that means you need to check which ones you’re looking at!

With crochet patterns going from straight magazines to shared online, it’s necessary to recognize what terminology is being used and have the tools at hand to transform a pattern into the terminology of your choice.

And that’s where it gets complicated. Both UK and US terminology use the same stitch names double crochet, double crochet and double crochet, but denote different stitches! A British double crochet is a US single crochet, while a US triple is a British double crochet. Confused? I understand completely. With that in mind I have created a UK to US crochet terms conversion chart which you can find below. You can use it to convert any US crochet pattern to a UK crochet pattern and vice versa.

Why is there a difference between UK and US crochet terms?

I don’t know why there is a difference between the two terminologies. I know what the difference is: British terminology refers to the number of loops on your hook and US terminology refers to the number of yarn overs when you pull up your first loop.

For example, a US double crochet (UK double crochet) has two yarn overs (hence double in US terms) but three loops on the crochet hook after pulling one loop out of the stitch. A US single crochet (UK double crochet) has only one yarn over after it is inserted into the stitch, but has two loops on the crochet hook after one loop is pulled up (hence double in UK crochet terms).

Crochet terms conversion table

US terms 🇺🇸 US abbreviation UK terms 🇬🇧 UK abbreviation ch ch slip stitch ss slip stitch ss single crochet sc double crochet sc half double crochet htr half double crochet htr double crochet sc double crochet tr double crochet dtr triple treble ttr

The information in the table above also applies to any derived stitch instructions, such as crocheting multiple stitches together. A US pattern uses “sc2tog” while the UK equivalent would be “dc2tog”.

How do I know if a pattern is written in US or UK terms?

Usually the pattern indicates whether it is written in US or UK terms. This information can be found either in the stitch abbreviations, in the general description or in the pattern notes. In the rare case that you don’t have this information, here’s a way to distinguish between the two terminologies:

Check the actual stitches. If there is a single crochet (sc) in the pattern list, you know you are looking at a US pattern. Single crochet only exists in US terminology and not in UK terminology. Same goes for half double crochet (htr), this stitch does not exist in US terminology, only in UK terminology. In US terms it is half a double crochet (hdc). Look up the crochet diagram and compare it with the stitch description. Finally, check the chart above and see which stitch is being described and whether your pattern is written in UK or US terms. Also check out my guide to crochet stitch symbols. Check other words next to the stitches. British terminology often uses “miss a stitch” instead of the US equivalent “skip a stitch”. And for example, “Gauge” is the preferred word in UK terminology, while “Tension” is used in the US. This isn’t a foolproof method, but it might give you a clue!

I hope these tips will help you easily recognize the language your pattern is written in. And if in doubt, you can always try to get in touch with the designer or publicist. If you have any additional tips, feel free to leave a comment below and help your fellow crocheters!

Jump ahead in crocheting with basic single crochet stitches – a chainless way to start your project. Most crochet patterns start with chain stitches, followed by a series of basic stitches. But what if you could combine these two steps into one? FSC does.

This crochet technique may seem complicated and even feel slower on the first try, but with a little practice, your basic chain will become so much easier. And while this tutorial will only walk you through the basic crochet version, you can do this with other basic stitches as well.

A basic single crochet or FSC starts with a chain stitch and then adds the single crochet so you are making two elements in a single stitch. The result is a first row of single crochets that looks even better than starting the traditional way.

Here are some reasons to try FSC:

The first row of standard single crochet often twists and gathers as you see in the picture because it is a tight stitch. Foundation Single Crochet eliminates this problem.

You don’t have to work all those stitches only to find out you miscounted your starting chain stitch. FSC makes it easy to add or remove a stitch or two.

If you want to use the traditional method, you can always add an extra base single crochet if needed.

It feels a little magical to skim a step and start building your work in a new way. Who does not like it?

Some patterns ask you to use FSC, but you can use this for those who don’t. Just be sure to check your gauge and use this technique in your pattern. Oh, and while this shows the right-handed way of making your stitches, you can reverse these directions if you’re left-handed.

Ready to try it? Grab some yarn and a crochet hook of a size that works with your yarn!