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How To Crochet The Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc)

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Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC) by Crafting Happiness MAIN PINTEREST POSTER 1
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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.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, I will earn a small percentage should you choose to purchase something, but it will be at no cost to you. You can see my full disclosure policy here. Thank you for supporting my work and this blog.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:

  1. Stretchy Edges – specifically for garments that need a bit of stretch.
  2. 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
  3. 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 up your crochet game & learn the Foundation Half Double Crochet, a chainless way of starting your project. Step by step photos & video.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Pattern Swatch


Step up your crochet game & learn the Foundation Half Double Crochet, a chainless way of starting your project. Step by step photos & video.
foundation half double crochet (fhdc) row
Step up your crochet game & learn the Foundation Half Double Crochet, a chainless way of starting your project. Step by step photos & video.
foundation half double crochet stitches used to shape the crochet project

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.

Tag me @craftinghappinesscrochet with your creations.

Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC) by Crafting Happiness MAIN PINTEREST POSTER 1

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COPYRIGHT:


The photographs in this tutorial are subject to copyright and are the property of Crafting Happiness, don’t use them to advertise your own creations. You may use photos from this post only if you directly link back to this tutorial.

Happy Crocheting!

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Ariana Wimsett - Crochet Designer For Crafting Happiness and Magic Yarn Pixels

Welcome!
I'm Ariana, crochet designer, blogger and lover of all crafts. Here on CraftingHappiness you will find crochet patterns for themed nurseries and the modern home.
I also posted a lot of crochet tutorials to help you master the art of crochet. Check them out, most of them I used in my patterns.
And if reading is not your thing, check out my YouTube channel, Crafting Happiness, over there you will find all my tutorials with step-by-step instructions.
Happy Crocheting!

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