If you know anything about me, you’ll know I love a textured crochet stitch! And the herringbone half double crochet stitch is textured by the bucketload! Whether you’re using it for garments, blankets, homewares or anything else, this stunning stitch is sure to turn heads!
In this herringbone half double crochet tutorial, you’ll learn how to work this beautiful stitch with step-by-step photos and a video tutorial to help too! This stitch is definitely beginner-friendly, and will add a touch of style to any project!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may receive a commission if you click a link and make a purchase. However, this does not influence our product recommendations, which are based on honest reviews and genuine enthusiasm. Read my Privacy Policy for more information.
Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial Overview
- Stitch: herringbone half double crochet (hhdc)
- Style: Decorative and textured!
- Experience Level: Advanced beginner
- Perfect For: Adding oodles of texture to any project
- Yarn: Sirdar Stories DK
What Is the Herringbone Half Double Crochet?
The herringbone half double crochet is a simple variation of the US half double crochet stitch. With one small change, we can create a stitch bursting with beauty! Whilst this stitch can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first, it is totally worth persevering for the texture!
Called the herringbone half treble crochet stitch in UK terms, this stitch is easy to pick up and wonderfully addictive to use. This stitch only really works in rows, as it is the alternating rows that creates the beautiful herringbone effect!
The herringbone half double crochet is often abbreviated to hhdc (hhtr in UK terms), but watch out in patterns for confusion with a regular hdc stitch. It works up a tad shorter than the classic hdc. For a small project, the height difference probably won’t be noticeable, but you might notice over a series of several rows.
Herringbone Half Double Crochet vs Half Double Crochet
The herringbone half double crochet is worked exactly like the half double crochet with one added slip stitch. Before we do the final yarn over and pull through, we instead pull through 1 loop (like a slip stitch) and then yarn over and pull through the remaining loops! Don’t worry, it will make sense when we go through it step by step!
This stitch gives an on trend look to crochet blankets, garments, cushions, and wall hangings. It doesn’t have ‘holes’ you’ll find with the regular hdc stitches, which is why it also works so well for tops and sweaters!
Summarise this post with AI
How to Crochet the Herringbone Half Double Crochet
You Will Need
You can try this tutorial with any yarn and a corresponding hook. I used:
- Sirdar Stories DK
- 4.0mm Crochet Hook (Pro tip: If this is your first time, try going up one hook size—it makes the stitch easier to learn)
- Tapestry needle for working in ends
- Scissors
Watch the Herringbone Half Double Crochet Video Tutorial
If you prefer crocheting from a video tutorial, watch as I crochet the hhdc stitch:
How to Work the Herringbone Half Double Crochet? – Photo Tutorial
Time needed: 30 minutes
This is how you work a herringbone half double crochet (Note: start with a foundation chain of any number and work into the second chain from hook):
- Yarn over (image 1).
Insert your hook into the stitch (image 2).
Yarn over (image 3).
Pull through a loop (image 4).
- Without yarning over again, pull the loop on the hook straight through the next loop like a slip stitch (image 5).
You will then have 2 loops left on your hook (image 6).
Yarn over (image 7).
Pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook to complete the hhdc stitch (image 8). - Continue working hhdc stitches in each stitch across your row. Then turn, chain 1, and work another row of herringbone half double crochet to really see the texture shine!
Join the Concrete Gems Crochet Community for pattern support!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the herringbone half double crochet is relatively straightforward, there are a few small mistakes that you might want to look out for:
- The slip stitch loop slipping off the hook
When working the slip stitch part, the loop can slip off your hook. Try rotating your hook away from you as you pull the loop through—this simple trick makes a huge difference! - Inconsistent tension (making it look jerky)
Pay close attention to your tension, especially on the slip stitch part. Try not to pull too tight—a lighter touch will give you a much smoother finish. - Accidentally doing regular hdc instead of hhdc
It’s easy to slip back into regular hdc out of muscle memory, but don’t worry! Just undo a few stitches and try again. - It feels awkward to work
Because the herringbone half double crochet is a variation of a familiar stitch, it can feel awkward at first, but once you get into the swing of it, you’ll find this a really mindful stitch to create.
Ready to Use the Herringbone Half Double Crochet in a Project?
I’m excited to share that the Summer Landscapes Crochet Picture Set features this beautifully textured stitch – coming soon to the blog!
FAQs
Whilst you physically can work this stitch in the round, you won’t achieve the same herringbone effect, as this is created by working alternating rows on the right and wrong sides.
These abbreviations both mean herringbone half double crochet and which is used is entirely dependent on the designer’s preference.
Due to the nature of the stitches slanting first one way and then the other, the edges can appear slightly wavy. This can easily be remedied by adding a simple border.
Whilst you can use any yarn weight for this stitch, you will want to choose a yarn that will show off the stitch definition. I’d recommend anything between sport weight to worsted weight for ease of stitching and good stitch definition.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, please do stick around and see what else you’d like to try on my website. You can find my other stitch tutorials here. You might like to try the moss stitch.
I’m Gemma, a crochet tech editor, designer and overall crochet enthusiast. I’m also a mum of 3 kids, and enjoy running, reading, walking and crafting, but mostly crochet!
Sign up to my mailing list for the latest news, pattern releases and special offers here
If you enjoyed learning this easy textured crochet stitch, or maybe made a project using this tutorial, please consider sharing it to social media tagging @concretegemscrochet
I have lots of crochet stitch tutorials over on my YouTube channel so please do check them out. Here are some you might like:
Other crochet patterns you might enjoy
Don’t forget to check out my crochet patterns for more crochet inspiration.
- Mosaic Crochet Square – inspired by florals, this pattern uses the mosaic crochet center out technique
- Trailing Leaves Crochet Hat – these use crochet post stitches to create another textured pattern.
- Christmas Wreath Crochet Pattern – quick, easy and fun with a woodland theme.
Thanks for reading and happy crocheting! 🧶
