Crocheting half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet

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Do you already know how to crochet chains and single crochets? Then now you will learn three more basic stitches: half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet. They differ mainly in their height and in how you pull the loops off the hook.

The photos show the stitch types one after another on the same sample piece. You can also continue working on your practice piece for this.

Important: The turning chains count as stitches

In my patterns, the turning chains always replace the first stitch. For half double crochet, you crochet two, for double crochet three, and for treble crochet four turning chains.

Turn the work and crochet the appropriate number of chain stitches. The first stitch of the previous row is skipped, because the replacement stitch is already above it. You work the next stitch into the second stitch of the previous row. At the end of the row, you crochet the last stitch into the top replacement chain of the previous row.

Crocheting half double crochet – hdc

Start the row with two turning chains as a replacement for the first half double crochet.

1. Place a loop on the hook.
2. Insert into the next intended stitch.
3. Pull the yarn and pull it through the stitch. Now there are three loops on the hook.

Pull the yarn again and pull it through all three loops at once. Your half double crochet is finished. Repeat these steps until the end of the row.

Crocheting double crochet – dc

Start the new row with three turning chains as a replacement for the first double crochet.

1. Place a loop on the hook.
2. Insert into the next intended stitch and pull the yarn through the stitch. There are three loops on the hook.
3. Pull the yarn and pull it through the first two loops. Now two loops remain.
4. Pull the yarn once more and pull it through the last two loops.

When the row is finished, your practice piece will look like this:

Crocheting treble crochet – tr

Start the new row with four turning chains as a replacement for the first treble crochet.

1. Place two loops on the hook.
2. Insert into the next intended stitch and pull the yarn through the stitch. Now there are four loops on the hook.
3. Pull the yarn and pull it through the first two loops.
4. Pull the yarn again and pull it through the next two loops.
5. Pull the yarn one last time and pull it through the last two loops.

A little exercise for the three stitch types

First work a row of half double crochets on your sample piece, then a row of double crochets, and after that a row of treble crochets. This way you can directly compare the different stitch heights.

If your sample piece is 10 stitches wide, it will also remain 10 stitches wide in these rows: one replacement stitch from the respective chain and nine crocheted stitches. The two, three, or four replacement chains count together as a single stitch, not as several stitches.

This way the stitch count remains the same

Pay special attention to the beginning and end of the row. After the turning chains, do not crochet into the first stitch below it additionally. At the other edge, do not forget the last stitch into the top turning chain of the previous row. When changing the stitch type, this insertion point is determined by the turning chain of the previous row.

What's next?

Next, you can learn crocheting in closed rounds. If you also master this technique, my Granny Square Christmas Trees with Star are a little project idea for the Christmas season. The pattern requires chains, single crochets, and double crochets. Also check the required materials before starting.

Back to Lesson 1: Chains and single crochets

On to Lesson 3: Crocheting in rounds

Back to the overview: Learn to crochet