How To Crochet The Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc)

Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC) by Crafting Happiness FACEBOOK POSTER

What is Foundation Half Double Crochet

If you know how to crochet the foundation single crochet, foundation half double crochet will be a breeze to learn. The only difference between the two is the stitch made on top of the base chain.

The Foundation Half Double Crochet is a method of starting a crochet project that allows you to work your foundation chains and your first row of half double crochet stitches at the same time.

This technique is also known as the chainless half double crochet foundation because you are not required to make a starting chain at the beginning of your project, instead, you create the base chain and the half double crochet stitch on top of it in one step.

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Why start your project with a Foundation Half Double Crochet

There are a few reasons why you should start your project with a foundation half double crochet, even if the pattern you are following doesn’t advise you to. You can simply replace the foundation chain and first row of half double crochet stitches with a foundation half double crochet row.

Add Or Remove Stitches As You Go – missing or miscounting stitches happen a lot when making a regular starting chain. When starting your project with a foundation half double crochet, you can add or take away extra stitches if you miscalculated the project size or the number of stitches required.
Flexible Edge – Foundation half double crochet (fhdc) stitches have some stretch to them and are a great option for crocheting clothes or any other project that need a flexible edge.
Even Tension – Te tension on your starting chain is often not the same as the tension of your stitches and this will cause your edges to curve. This will not happen when using the foundation half-double crochet.
Easy To See Stitches – It’s easy to miss a stitch when working with novelty yarns (e.g. tinsel yarns or metallic yarns), but not when you start your project with a foundation half double crochet.
Save Time – working the starting chain and the first half double crochet row in one go will save you time and make the stitch counting a lot easier.

How to use the Foundation Half Double Crochet

This technique can be used on any pattern that requires you to make a foundation chain and then crochet a row of half double crochet stitches and it will make your life so much easier.

But there are times when you should use the foundation half double crochet technique to start and make your projects, here are a few examples:

Stretchy Edges – specifically for garments that need a bit of stretch.
Crochet Appliques – This method is great for making crocheted appliques in different shapes because you can add stitches on both sides of your rows that enables you to create those shapes you require
Shaping Garments – in the same way, the foundation half double crochet is very useful when shaping garment parts as you can crochet stitches on both sides of the row or add extra stitches on one side of the row.

Video Tutorial

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How To Crochet The Foundation Half Double Crochet

Pattern Notes

Pattern Characteristics

solid
techniques
basic stitches

Pattern Repeat

crochet as you go

Supplies Used

Marriner Yarns Aran
Click here for YARN ALTERNATIVES
5mm crochet hook

Abbreviations

Pattern written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet

Special Stitches

No special stitches were used in this pattern.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Start with a slip knot and ch2 (this is the only chaining you will do when making a foundation single crochet)

Step up your crochet game & learn the Foundation Half Double Crochet, a chainless way of starting your project. Step by step photos & video.

Step 2: Yo and insert your hook in the 2nd ch from hook, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through the first loop on hook (3 loops on hook).

You have now created the first base chain.

Step 3: Yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

You have now created the half-double crochet on top of the base chain. This counts as one stitch when counting stitches and it’s abbreviated as fhdc.

Step 4: Let’s create another base chain. Yo and turn your work with the bottom up to expose the first base chain.

Insert your hook under both loops of the chain.

Yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 3 loops on hook).

Now you have a new base chain.

Step 5: Next, we will make the half-double crochet stitch on top of that base chain.

Yo and pull through the 3 loops on the hook. Another foundation half double crochet stitch is complete.

Step 6: Let’s make another foundation half double crochet (fhdc) from start to end.

To make the base chain, yo and turn your work upside down to expose the previous base chains, insert your hook under the last chain, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through just one loop on the hook (still 3 loops on hook).

To make the hdc on top, yo and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

Repeat step 6 until you have the required length or number of stitches.

Pattern Swatch

And this is how you crochet the Foundation Half Double Crochet. If you found this tutorial helpful, please share and Pin it! Follow me on Pinterest here.

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Happy Crocheting!