How to Herringbone Half Double Crochet

The herringbone half double crochet stitch is a variation on the half double crochet that produces some very cool results. The loops are worked in a slightly different manner from the standard half double crochet. This creates a stitch that slants slightly to one side. When worked in rows, these slants create a herringbone design in the fabric.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy details.

The stitch also produces a flatter and more solid fabric with less gaps than regular half double crochet. This makes it great for borders and edgings.

Herringbone Half Double Crochet Abbreviations and Symbols

The herringbone half double crochet stitch is a bit of speciality stitch. It is not included on the Craft Yarn Council’s website which maintains a list of standard abbreviations and symbols for a number of crochet stitches.

Consequently, there is a bit of variation in how the stitch appears in patterns. It is always useful to consult the pattern to see if it has a guide to the stitch abbreviations it uses. Some of the common ways in which the herringbone half double crochet stitch is abbreviated include:

• hhdc
• hbhdc
• herr-hdc

And, if there is a chart, it is useful to see what symbol is used for the stitch. The standard symbol for a half double crochet looks like a capital “T”.

So, for the herringbone half double crochet, charts will sometimes represent the stitch as a leaning “T” with a little loop on the side. This makes sense because the herringbone half double crochet works the loops in a somewhat different order the produces stitches that slant to one side.

Step by Step Tutorial for the Herringbone Half Double Crochet

The written instructions for the herringbone half double crochet are: yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop through stitch and first loop on hook (2 loops remain on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Below is an illustration of how to make a herringbone half double crochet step by step. In this illustration, a round of herringbone half double crochet stitches are being worked around the edge of a blanket. The stitches are being made into a base round of single crochet stitches that have already been made in yellow.

STEP ONE

Prepare to make the herringbone half double crochet.

STEP TWO

Yarn over.

STEP THREE

Insert hook in next stitch

STEP FOUR

Yarn over.

STEP FIVE

Pull up a loop through the stitch and the first loop on the hook. Two loops will remain on the hook. Note – this is where the herringbone half double crochet varies from the standard half double crochet.

STEP SIX

Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. You have completed one herringbone half double crochet.

What effects can you make with herringbone half double crochet stitches?

As you can see in the tutorial photos, the herringbone half double crochet stitch creates a smooth flattened fabric. The stitches will also tilt slightly to one side or the other.

One of the effects of the stitch is that is reduces the gaps that can sometimes appear between standard half double crochet stitches. This makes it a great stitch for when you want a fabric with fewer gaps. I like to use it in a round for a border on a blanket for this reason. It produces a smooth border round.

The fabric is also somewhat smoother. This can make it a great choice from some garments. Finally, the slanting effect can create a design element. A pattern that includes multiple rows of herringbone half double crochet stitches will produce a fabric that has a herringbone look, hence the name of the stitch.

For other crochet tutorials, check out my crochet tutorials page.

Patterns that Use Herringbone Half Double Crochet

If you like the herringbone half double crochet stitch, you might like these patterns that use the stitch.