How to Half Double Crochet Decrease & Increase

For beginner crocheters who feel confident in the half double crochet stitch, you need to learn how to do the half double crochet decrease and the half double crochet increase. These slight variations on this simple stitch will help you grow in your skills and, as a result, will open up so many more patterns to you. Both have their place in crocheting so many types of projects, and they are essential to advancing your skills as a crocheter.

Sometimes the hardest thing to learn is how to do variations of simple stitches. When you have gotten used to completing them via muscle memory, it can be hard to switch it up correctly and not fall back into the created habit. For me, this comes out the most when crocheting increase or decrease variations of any simple stitch, and especially for half double crochet.

However, these stitch variations are not difficult to learn at all! If you know how to half double crochet, then the half double crochet increase will be very easy for you to learn. The half double crochet decrease is simple to complete as well, and I have a step by step video below to help you visualize it. Plus, there are also written instructions to help guide you through the steps if you prefer reading or just need a reminder.

What does half double crochet two together mean?

Half double crochet two together (hdc2tog) or half double crochet decrease (hdc dec) are really the same stitch. This stitch is a variation of the half double crochet in which you crochet two stitches from the previous row or round together to create one stitch. This decreases the number of stitches in your row or round by one and is used most often when you are trying to close or tighten up an opening. For example, you might use it when trying to lessen the number of stitches when trying to close up the top of a beanie. There are many ways that designers use this stitch, but remember that even though it has two base stitches, it only counts as one stitch in the row you are working in.

What is a half double crochet increase?

The half double crochet increase (hdc inc) is a stitch variation of the half double crochet that increases the number of stitches in your row or round by one for every time it is worked. The idea is to work two half double crochets in the same base stitch. One way this might be used is when working in the round to increase the size of the circle you are crocheting. While placement can be tricky to learn for beginners, those who have mastered the half double crochet will be able to pick up this variation very quickly.

What do you need to know:

Before you start working the steps below, please make sure you know how to complete the following stitches, or review them if it has been a while:

–Chaining

–Half Double Crochet

If you have these skills down, then you are welcome to move on! However, if you are a newbie to crochet, I highly suggest checking out the above tutorials first. Also, you can check out other skills in the posts below, or even head to the Crochet page to browse the topic!

Supplies:

All that you really need are these items:

-Yarn,

-Crochet Hook.

These stitches can be worked with any yarn weight and any crochet hook, but if you are unsure of where to start, I used an H/8 5mm hook and worsted weight (4 medium) acrylic yarn in the video and pictures. You are welcome to use whatever you have!

Notes & Tips for Half Double Crochet Decrease:

• Half double crochet decrease can be abbreviated hdc dec and hdc2tog most often. Sometimes patterns will vary slightly, so be sure to check the pattern notes section for clarification.
• Half double crochet decrease, or half double crochet 2 together, are the same stitch, but you will see both used in patterns by various designers.
• Not sure how to half double crochet? Check out my tutorial!

How to Decrease Half Double Crochet:

The half double crochet decrease can be tricky for beginner crocheters to learn, especially if you are still working to master the basics. However, the steps are very few, and you will be completing most of the normal steps for the half double crochet. The final steps will be just slightly different. The steps are as follows:

1. Yarn over, and insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over again, and pull a loop through the stitch. (3 loops on hook)
2. Yarn over again, and insert your hook into the following stitch. Yarn over, and pull a loop through the stitch. (5 loops on hook)
3. Yarn over a final time and pull through all five loops.

That’s it! The half double crochet decrease is a little tricky to master at first, but it just takes a little practice. Remember though, the final stitch only counts for one stitch, even though it has two base stitches.

Notes & Tips for Half Double Crochet Increase:

• In most cases, the half double crochet increase can be abbreviated hdc inc and 2 hdc. Sometimes patterns will vary slightly, so be sure to check the pattern notes section for confirmation.
• Half double crochet increase and two half double crochet in one stitch mean the same thing, but you will see both used in patterns by various designers.
• Need to learn how to half double crochet? Check out my tutorial!

How to Half Double Crochet Increase:

The half double crochet increase is simple to master because it uses the same steps as the half double crochet just repeated. You will simply be placing two stitches in the same base stitch from the previous row. The steps are below:

1. Half double crochet in the indicated stitch (Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over again, and pull through; then yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook).
2. Repeat the above step in the same base stitch.

You did it! That is your first half double crochet increase. Remember that you will now have one more stitch in your row or round for each increase that you complete.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that it inspires you to grow your crochet skills! I know that learning new skills can be challenging, but it will really be worth the effort when you get to see all the progress you have made!