How to work Half Double Crochet (UK Half Trebles)

Half double crochet is my favourite stitch. It combines the tightness of single crochet (UK double crochet) and the speed of double crochet (UK trebles)and forms a nice thick fabric suitable for winter garments and blankets.

Instructions

wrap the yarn around the needle

Insert the hook into the third chain from the hook. Be sure to have 2 threads of the chain stitch above and 1 underneath the hook.

wrap the yarn around the needle again

Pull the yarn through the chain

You should have three loops on your hook. Hook the yarn up again and pull it through all threes atitches

You have made your first stitch.

repeat the process in the next chain to make your second stitch

Then all along the row into every chain

make 3 chain and then turn your work around. This is called the turning chain

The 3 chain counts as a stitch so do not work into the first stitch otherwise you will have too many stitches and your work will get wider and wider with more and more stitches. So miss one stitch and work into the next stitch

Coninue all along the row, remembering that the turning chain counts as a stitch, so when you get to the end of each row, work one half double crochet into the top of the turning chain

You will find that there are little holes along the side edge where you have missed a stitch. Some people don't like this so they do not count the turning chain as a stitch. Instead, they work into the first stitch and then do not work into the turning chain

This however leaves a wavy edge. It is up to you which method you prefer


Now that you have learned how to work a half double crochet you can click here to learn more basic stitches

Further Reading

Learn to Crochet: Clear stitch diagrams and instructions. 20 simple projects to make

And another fantastic, 5 star rated book which US residents would find useful is

Ready, Set, Crochet: Learn to Crochet with 19 Hot Projects (Stand-Up Book)