Learn to Crochet: Lesson 3 – Half Doubles, Doubles, and Trebles

This lesson builds on the stitches that were covered in Lesson 2. If you missed Lessons 1 or 2 or ever want to refer back to them in the future, I have added links to the lessons under the Crochet Tutorials and Resources tab above. Also under the tab is a list of crochet abbreviations and symbols for your reference. I have also included the stitch abbreviation and symbol in parentheses after each stitch as it is introduced.

Half Double Crochet (hdc, @)

As discussed in Lesson 2, when beginning a row of half double crochets, you need to chain 2 before working the first stitch (Fig. 1a). Most patterns will count this beginning chain as your first stitch.

To work a half double crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front (Fig. 1b), insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over again and pull a loop through the stitch (there will be 3 loops on your hook; Fig. 1c), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook (half double crochet made; Fig. 1d). Continue working half double crochets across row (Fig. 1e).

Fig. 1a

Fig. 1b

Fig. 1c

Fig. 1d

Fig. 1e

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If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as first stitch), 1 hdc in each st across, turn  – 9 sts.

Double Crochet (dc, 2)

To begin a row of double crochets, you need to chain 3 before working the first stitch (Fig. 2a). Again, this is usually counted as your first stitch. To work a double crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front (Fig. 2b), insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over again and pull a loop through the stitch (there will be 3 loops on your hook; Fig. 2c), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops will now be on your hook; Fig. 2d). Yarn over again and pull through remaining 2 loops (double crochet made; Fig. 2e). Continue working double crochets across row (Fig. 2f).

Fig. 2a

Fig. 2b

Fig. 2c

Fig. 2d

Fig. 2e

Fig. 2f

If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first stitch), 1 dc in each st across, turn  – 9 sts.

Treble Crochet (tc, 3)

To begin a row of treble crochets, also called triple crochets, you need to chain 4 before working the first stitch (Fig. 3a). Again, this is usually counted as your first stitch. To work a treble crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook twice (Fig. 3b), insert hook into the specified stitch, yarn over again and pull a loop through the stitch (there will be 4 loops on your hook; Fig. 3c), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops will now be on your hook; Fig. 3d). Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops (2 loops will now be on your hook; Fig. 3e). Yarn over again and pull through remaining 2 loops (treble crochet made; Fig. 3f). Continue working treble crochets across row (Fig. 3g).

Fig. 3a

Fig. 3b

Fig. 3c

Fig. 3d

Fig. 3e

Fig. 3f

Fig. 3g

If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as first stitch), 1 tc in each st across, turn  – 9 sts.

Slip Stitch (Sl st, &)

The smallest stitch is called a slip stitch. The slip stitch is mainly used to join two pieces of crochet together or to work across a row without adding height. To work a slip stitch, insert your hook into the specifies stitch (Fig. 4a), draw a loop through the stitch and right through the loop on your hook (slip stitch made; Fig. 4b). Continue working slip stitches across row (Fig. 4c).

Fig. 4a

Fig. 4b

Fig. 4c

If you were following a pattern, this row would read like this:

Row 4: Work 1 Sl st in each st across  – 9 sts.

Following a Pattern

Patterns may seem overwhelming at first, but if you have worked up the stitches here and in Lesson 2, you have basically followed a pattern!!

So far, to get to where we are to form the swatch in Fig. 4c, we have worked the following pattern:

Ch 10

Foundation Row: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc in each ch across, turn – 9 sts.

Row 1: Ch 2 (counts as first stitch), 1 hdc in each st across, turn – 9 sts.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first stitch), 1 dc in each st across, turn – 9 sts.

Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as first stitch), 1 tc in each st across, turn – 9 sts. 

Row 4: Work 1 Sl st in each st across – 9 sts.

Congratulations!! You have learned the basic crochet stitches and have followed your first pattern!!! 

There are many, many more stitches in crochet.  Stitch dictionaries are great resources for learning new stitches.  My favorites are The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet by Margaret Hubert (Creative Publishing International, 2010) and Crochet Stitches VISUAL Encyclopedia by Robyn Chachula (Wiley, 2011).

Please let me know if you have any questions at all, and I will do my best to answer them.

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