When you’re crocheting a garment that needs to hug the body or flow gently, stitch choice matters. If you want fabric that moves beautifully without feeling stiff or bulky, the wide half double crochet is a stitch worth knowing.

A swatch of fabric crocheted with a wide half double crochet stitch worked with a light blue yarn.

This is my go-to stitch for crochet garments and accessories because it strikes a rare balance: it’s simple to execute, quick to work, and creates a fabric that moves beautifully. If you can crochet a standard half double crochet, you already have the skills you need. The only difference is where you place your hook — and that small shift makes a big impact on the finished fabric.

If you love linen stitch (also known as moss stitch), you’ll likely fall for the wide half double crochet as well. Like linen stitch, it’s worked into the spaces between stitches rather than into the tops of stitches themselves. That approach creates a soft, reversible fabric with minimal texture and natural drape. But because it uses half double crochet instead of single crochet and chains, it works up faster while maintaining that same flexible, even feel.

Overview

Stitch Multiple: Any number of stitches

Number of Rows in Pattern Repeat: 1

Reversible

Tips

When inserting your hook between stitches, be sure to go under the third loop of the stitch from the previous row.
Use a hook one size larger for the foundation chain to prevent puckering.

As mentioned, the beauty of this stitch pattern is its simplicity. After the foundation row, each row of stitches is worked into the space between stitches of the previous row. Each row begins with a chain-2, which counts as the first half double crochet (hdc).

Most stitch dictionaries end each row by working the final hdc into the space between the last hdc and the turning chain-2. Today, I’ll show you a slightly different option that adds a bit more stability to the edges.

This small adjustment can make a noticeable difference when working garments or accessories that tend to stretch lengthwise. For example, while designing my Your Yarn, Your Way Neckwarmer, I found that certain yarns caused the fabric to grow more than I liked. By modifying how the row ends (and adding a simple border) you can maintain stretch while keeping the fabric from losing its shape.

How to Crochet the Wide Half Double Crochet

Row 1: Chain any number of chains. Hdc in the 3rd chain from hook (indicated with a black arrow in the photo below). The skipped chains count as the first hdc.

A chain crocheted with light blue yarn. A black arrow points to the third chain from the hook.

Hdc in each chain across. Turn.

A row of half double crochet worked into the foundation chain. The yarn is light blue.

Row 2: Chain 2. This counts as the first hdc. The next hdc will be worked into the space between the first hdc and the second hdc in the previous row (indicated with a black arrow in the photo below).

A chain 2 has been made to start row 2. A black arrow points to the space between the first and second stitch, where the first hdc will be worked.

Yarn over and insert your hook into this space.

Hook inserted into space between first two stitches.

Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).

After pulling up a loop, there are three loops on the hook.

Yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook. Your first wide half double crochet is complete.

Repeat these steps to work an hdc in the space between each stitch across until you get to the last 2 stitches.

An hdc has been made in the space between each stitch across. Two stitches remain unworked at the end of the row.

Skip the space between the last two stitches and work the final hdc in the last hdc (top of the turning chain-2).

Last hdc of the row is worked into the top of the beginning chain-2.

Repeat Row 2 for the pattern.

A crochet swatch made with the wide half double crochet stitch pattern. The yarn is light blue.

Edge Shaping with Wide Half Double Crochet

Increases

To increase at the edge, when you get to the last 2 stitches at the end of the row, hdc in the space between the last two stitches.

Hdc worked in the space between the last two stitches of the row.

Work the final hdc in the top of the turning chain-2 (1 stitch increased).

Last hdc of the row worked in the top of the beginning chain-2.

To increase at the beginning of a row, chain 2 as normal. Then work 2 hdc in the space between the first 2 stitches.

Decreases

To decrease at the beginning of a row, start with a chain 2. The decrease will be worked in the next 2 spaces (indicated with black arrows in the photo below).

Two black arrows point to the spaces where a decrease at the beginning of the row will occur.

Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook in space between first 2 stitches, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).

Step 2: Insert hook in space between next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).

Step 3: Yarn over, draw through all 4 loops on hook (1 stitch decreased).

A wide half double crochet decrease completed.

You can work a decrease at the end of a row too. Work to the last 4 stitches.

An hdc has been made in the space between each stitch across. Four stitches remain at the end of the row.

Then repeat steps 1–3 above to work a decrease in the next 2 spaces.

Decrease worked into the next two spaces between stitches.

When decreasing at the end of the row, it does tend to look better to work the last hdc in the space between the last 2 stitches, instead of into the top of the turning chain-2.

Last stitch of row worked into the space between the last two stitches.

The wide half double crochet is a versatile stitch that shines in blankets, scarves, cowls, wraps, and garments. Once you try it, you may find it becoming one of your go-to stitches as well.

Want Great Drape? Try the Wide Half Double Crochet