Half Double Crochet & Variations

Half Double Crochet (HDC)

Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the stitch (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over, pull through all three loops to complete the half double crochet (hdc).

Yarn over, insert your hook under the front loop only.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the front loop (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over, pull through all three loops to complete the half double crochet in the front loop only (hdcflo).

Yarn over, insert your hook under the back loop only.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the back loop (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the half double crochet in the back loop only (hdcblo).

Yarn over, insert your hook under the third loop only.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the 3rd loop (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the half double crochet in the back loop only (hdc 3rd loop).
Note: The third loop is the single horizontal loop behind your hdc which is accessible when working in rows.

Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the stitch (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the stitch (you have five loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all five loops to complete your half double crochet two stitches together (hdc2tog).

Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the stitch (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the stitch (you have five loops on your hook).
Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch.
Yarn over, pull your hook through the stitch (you have seven loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all seven loops to complete your half double crochet three stitches together (hdc3tog).

,This is an increase, which creates an extra stitch in the row.

Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch.
Yarn over and pull your hook through the stitch (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete your first half double crochet.
Working in the same stitch, yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch.
Yarn over and pull your hook through the stitch (you have three loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete your second half double crochet (hdc inc or 2hdc).