Looking to add a little excitement to your Half Double Crochet stitches? Look no further than this VERY simple variation on the HDC! All it takes is inserting your hook into a different loop than usual to come up with this beautiful, faux knit pattern.
Now, there may be a technical abbreviation for this stitch, but I haven’t found it. So until I learn differently, I’ll be referring to it in my patterns as RibHDC. 🙂
What’s great about this stitch is that it shows up on both the back and front sides of your work, so it works beautifully for scarves, washclothes, etc. And it’s not as bulky as the front/back post method or the front/back loops only method.
Let’s get started…
First, we’ll take a look at the Half Double Crochet stitch. Normally, you’d yarn over and insert your hook underneath the two loops on the top, highlighted in the photo below in red. But for this simple modification, you’ll yarn over and insert your hook into the loop DIRECTLY BELOW the top loop, as highlighted in green. This special loop only shows up on the back side of your HDC stitches, so we’ll be turning our work as we go.
Here’s another view of that special loop, from the side.
So to get started, you’ll want to create a row of regular HDC. For this tutorial, let’s say 20. You can do this by chaining 21, HDC in 2nd Ch from hook, and HDC across. OR, you can use the Chainless Foundation technique!
Once you have your first row, Ch 1 (doesn’t count as HDC) and turn your work. You should be able to see those special loops now. Yarn over, and insert your hook under that first special loop.
Complete your typical HDC stitch: Pull your yarn through, yarn over, and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
Done! Continue down the row until you’ve completed 20. You aren’t going to see that ribbing yet, unless you turn the work over and take a peek. The row you are working on creates the ribbing on the opposite side. Do a few rows and you’ll see a beautiful pattern emerge!
Sooooo easy, right?
Enjoy!
Please I am a visual learner I love this pattern but I must have it visual. Thank you darling.
This is a tutorial, not an actual pattern. There is no video tutorial for this tutorial at this time.
Im not sure what to do on the “last stitch” of the row aka the chain. There is no loop to put it in. It looks like if i chain,turn and continue with the next row it will jut out like a skipped end stitch.
The chain is only considered a stitch if the pattern says so. I very rarely write my patterns that way, but if you have one that says it is, you would just put your stitch wherever you would normally put it for stitching into a chain.
I love the look of this stitch and was wondering if the ribs could be done in a contrasting colour and if sp, when would I change colors? Thank you in advance for your help.
To do that you would just switch colors every other row. However, it isn’t a 100% clean color change because one strand from each 3rd loop stitch shows through to the other side and you end up with a line down the side. You’ll have to experiment with it to see if you like the look. 🙂
Hi ! I would like to make a crib size baby blanket with this pattern, not sure what your 20 count means, is that the width of your project? How many should I chain to start for 36 inch, and do you know how many skeins of yarn an size of hook I will need?? Thank you for your help! I’m a beginner !!!!
Hi Anna! This is just a tutorial for how to do this stitch, not a pattern for anything. 🙂
Wow, thankyou. A beautiful and useful stitch and so easy!
The scarf looks really gorgeous! and I totally appreciate the free pattern but I’m a little confused when it comes to the ribbing..I’m not asking you a specific question so don’t worry I’m just making a statement.
The part that I’m confused on is- I see no ribbing affect, I just see the top of the loop that the half double crochet makes. So the long line of stitches you see in the scarf that are up and predominant and obviously different from the rest are made from HDC. Does anybody else see it that way too?
I suppose it just depends on what your idea of ribbing is. The reason this is considered a faux-knit ribbing is because in knitting, ribbing looks like this: http://www.knittingstitchpatterns.com/2014/09/slip-stitch-rib-p2-k1.html
I get so many great ideas from all you crocheting /bloggers/ designers.
This is a really nice looking stitch to use in so many places Thank you
Hi. Can you do the rustic hat on a you tube video
I have been grabbing this stitch for some time now. I do it to either create the look of surface slip stitches on the right side of my fabric, or to set up loops to work in for surface crochet on my project when working rows with the right side of my work facing me. I’ve learned that it’s called the “bar”. And, when working it for the reasons I’ve mentioned, it sits behind and below the normal working stitches. I call it the “back bar” of the Stitch. It pushes the normally worked top stitches forward and to the surface of your work. It’s not as easily accessed as your way of doing it. I feel like I’m standing on my head while peering over the top to see behind my work in an awkward attempt to locate then work in the bar.
I love how you’re doing this! working in the bar with it facing front is so much easier! Plus, you are creating these surface chains on the front AND back of the fabric! Brilliant!
Hola podrás poner video para tejer la gorra, gracias.
Lo siento, no estoy seguro de qué patrón se está refiriendo. (via Google Translate)
Thank you for the stitch
Hi Rebecca, Thanks for sharing this! I have a quick question, am I suppose to turn after I reach the end of each row? And I’m supposed to chain one before or after I turn? Thanks so much. Trish
You would do whatever the pattern that you were working on instructed you to do. Some patterns utilize this method in a seamless, continuous round; some ask you to chain 1 or 2 and turn. It’s all up to the designer. 🙂
I really love this stitch and glad u used different color in ur tutorial. Makes pattern easier. Thank u!!!!
I want to see the tutorial for the Rustic Slouchy Hat and I go to tutorials but there is no where to open it, help.
That pattern is here: http://littlemonkeyscrochet.com/rustic-slouch-crochet-pattern/
How many skeins were required to make both pieces?
You commented on a tutorial, is there a particular pattern you are wondering about?
Yes, the Rustic Slouchy Hat tutorial.