Half Double Crochet Increase The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Table of Contents for half double crochet increase

Half double crochet increase: Once you feel comfortable with a half double crochet stitch, the next logical step is to add a half double crochet increase. That single maneuver opens the door to fresh possibilities, whether you are curving a beanie, widening a scrubby coaster, or texturing a living-room throw. Whenever extra width or gentle shaping is needed, an half double crochet increase is your go-to move.

This post will cover the increase in detail-Well also flag common slip-ups and quick fixes, plus a few tips for polishing the professional appearance of your finished work. Grab your yarn and let s get started.

What Is a half double crochet increase?

material for tool for Half Double Crochet Increase

A half double crochet increase-most folks call it hdc inc for short-looks tricky, but its really just two half double crochet stitches cramped into the same hole. Super simple!

If you want to learn half double crochet in the magic , please click here: Half Double Crochet In Magic Ring Step-By-Step Instructions With Text And Pictures

When do we use a half double crochet increase?

You will run into an hdc boost whenever the project has to get bigger, and it happens for a few common reasons.

1. Hooking in the round

Picture a coaster, a beanie, or an amigurumi. you almost always kick things off with a tiny ring and slowly amp up the stitch count until the circle finally roars outward.

A beginner-friendly pattern might ask you to shove an half double crochet increase into every single stitch during the second round. the next round could swap between one regular hdc and one increase, helping the whole disk lie flat.

2. Pushing for shape

A flare at the wrist of a sleeve, a wedge in a shawl, or the curve of a baby boot- those silhouettes almost live off increases. drop an hdc boost here and there, and the profile appears without weird bumps.

3. Textures and tricks

Sometimes the growth is less about size and more about pizzazz. Toss an hdc increase into a row, pair it with a skip or a decrease, and you have got shells, little ruffles, or bold ridges popping out.

How to half double crochet Increase: step-by-step instructions

Gear you will grab

Any yarn you like, but worsted weight is easiest while youre learning.
A standard 3.0mm hook pairs nicely with that yarn.
Snip-tips: sharp scissors keep your ends tidy.
A yarn needle rounds things off by weaving in the loose bits.
Marker: put the first and last stitch for market , it is so fast to count the total for this round.

Let’s begin

Step 1 :Wrap the Yarn: Yarn over just as you would for a regular half double.

yarn over for half double crochet increase

Step 2: Stitch Your Hook: Insert the hook directly into the same stitch where the increase lives.

the hook insert the next chain stitch for half double crochet increase — the hook insert the next chain stitch(small hole)) for half double crochet increase

Step 3: Loop and lift: Yarn over again and pull up a loop; now three loops sit on your hook.

three loop on the hook for half double crochet increase

Step 4:Finish the move: Yarn over one more time and slide through all three loops.

yarn over once more for half double crochet increase

one loop on the hook for half double crochet increase

Welcome to your first half double crochet increase: It feels nice, right? You just added extra height and width without skipping a beat.

Step 5: Repeat the yarn over: Keep that yarn over handy; you are not finished with this stitch yet.

After that yarn over, the journey continues, and another half double crochet waits just ahead.

yarn over for the next half double stitch in same hole

Step 6: Stick your hook back in the same stitch(same hole)
Sounds odd, but you really poke the hook back into that same hole. Doing this is what gives you that little bump called an increase.

show as picture, the hook insert the same hole for half double crochet increase

the hook insert for the next half double stitch in same hole

Step 7: Yarn over, pull up a new Loop, and wrap it up
Yarn over one more time, tug that loop through so three strands sit on your hook. Finally, yarn over again and pull through all three.

yarn over once more for the next half double stitch in same hole

three loops on the hook for the next half double stitch in same hole

🎉 Boom, you just stuffed two half double crochets into one stitch and leveled up your hdc skill. High five!

Pro tips for a perfect half double crochet increase

Let chat about how a simple half-double crochet (hdc) bump can go from fine to fantastic. a few tricks keep popping up in our own projects.

Pin a marker in place

Starting a fresh round without a guide is like hiking a trail with no signs; we end up lost quick. dropping a bright stitch marker right where the new row begins , put the marker when the last half double crochet is complete, which makes those pesky increases easy to spot later.

Loosen the grip a bit

Heat-of-the-moment nerves push us to yank the yarn taught, especially when crafting tiny amigurumi heads. A death grip squishes the extra stitch into a messy lump. Relaxed hands-make every hdc stack up smoothly.

Common mistakes we can avoid

Everyone who crochets knows the annoying moment when one tiny mistake ruins the entire piece. Catching the issues early helps save a lot of frogging.

Forgetting the increase

You settle into a comfy rhythm, then out of habit do just one half-double crochet in every stitch. The next row barely grows, the fabric wants to curl in on itself.

Quick Fix: Pause and count the stitches at the start of each round. If the pattern calls for an increase, make sure you actually do it.

Increasing in the wrong spot

A sneaky misplace-an increase one stitch too soon or one stitch too late-leaves the shape looking wobbly. The piece ends up artfully uneven, but not in the good way.

Quick Fix: Rely on row counters or simple stitch markers to tag where each increase belongs. The extra hint makes spacing them way less guesswork.

Overcrowding the stitch

Jamming two hdc into a cramped spot crinkles the yarn like unexpected tinfoil. The fabric bulges instead of laying flat.

Quick Fix: Loosen the first half-double crochet just enough to create breathing room, then work the second one without forcing it in.

Practice pattern: half double crochet Increase

Grab some yarn and a hook, and let’s whip up a circle that proves half-double crochet increases are anything but scary. You can almost watch the project puff out row by row.

🔄 Round 1: The classic magic ring

Work 8 half-double crochets right into a snug magic ring. Slide a slip stitch into the first half-double to seal the round. Count them up- you’re at 8 stitches already.

🔄 Round 2: double the fun

Stitch 2 half-doubles into each and every space. Slip stitch to the start when it feels even. You’ve just bloomed the count to a tidy 16.

🔄 Round 3: Mix one and one increase

Start with 1 half-double, then drop in 2 half-doubles on the next stitch. Keep bouncing between those two steps. At the join, pat yourself on the back for winding up with 24.

🔄 Round 4: Two singles, one boost

Place a half-double in the next 2 stitches, add 1 boost stitch, and repeat. The rhythm is easy, and the join closes out a round that now flaunts 32 stitches.

🌟 Watch that curve grow

Every increase hugs the shape tighter until it finally bursts into perfect roundness. That visibility? It’s the very reason half-double stitches stay in so many makers’ bags.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I pair hdc increases with other stitch patterns?

Sure thing! Half double crochet increases team up nicely with all sorts of designs. Slip them into a shell or a wave, and youll see fresh texture and lively motion. The transition feels almost effortless.

Can I crochet more than 2 hdc in a one hole(same stitch)?

You bet. Patterns sometimes call for 3, 4, or even 5 hdc crammed into one hole. designers label that a super increase, and it usually creates a statement puff or a dramatic little shell.

Do we count each stitch in an hdc increase separately?

That is right, the two half-double crochet stitches sit snugly in the same place but act like two independent entries on the roster. Pop one extra hdc in for an increase and, just like that, you have added a single new stitch to the tally.