Ribbed Half Double Crochet Stitch 

Ribbed Half Double Crochet Stitch by Janice Jones
Published 09-10-2023

If you thought that you could only create ribbing with knitting, you haven’t discovered how to create a fabric that resembles the knit rib with a basic crochet stitch that is worked slightly differently. This tutorial will look at the half-double crochet stitch and how to use it to create ribbing. 

You might also be interested in the single crochet rib stitch. You can actually make ribbing using other methods including the double or even treble crochet stitch.  The choice is yours depending on how wide you'd like your ribbing to be.

Ribbed Half Double Crochet or Half Double Crochet (BPhdc)

A swatch of half double crochet rib stitch worked in purple woolRibbed Half Double Crochet Swatch

Typically, when working the half-double crochet stitch, we insert the hook into the top two loops of the stitches below. 

If we insert our hooks into the back loop only, we create a ribbed textured fabric that works great for cuffs, edges, and other decorative details.  It’s very easy to master as long as you know how to work a half-double crochet stitch. 

Just as a quick refresher, here is how the half-double crochet stitch is created.

Abbreviations You Will Encounter:

In crochet patterns you will see the back loop half double crochet is abbreviated:

  • BLhdc
  • hdc-blo 
  • BLO hdc 

Using the Ribbed Half Double Crochet Stitch

Typically, the ribbed half double crochet stitch is used in a place where ribbing is desired.  This could be the on sweaters or cardigans, the brim of a hat or a long jacket.  

I am currently working on a turtleneck dog sweater that is created with half double crochet stitches and the collar or turtleneck is created with the half double crochet stitch working in the back loop only.

How to Make the Half Double Crochet Stitch

Here is a beginner-friendly review of how to make the half double crochet stitch.  You can find more information on the half double crochet stitch on our beginner tutorial pages.

  • Yarn over.
  • Insert the hook into the stitch.
  • Pull the yarn up through the stitch (3 loops on the hook).
  • Yarn over.
  • Pull through all three loops.

Step 1:  Yarn Over

Step one when making a half double crochet: Yarn OverHalf Double Crochet Step 1: Yarn Over

Step 2:  Insert hook through both loops of the previous stitch

Step 2 of Half Double Crochet Stitch: Insert hookHalf Double Crochet: Step 2: Insert Hook

Step 3:  Yarn over again

Step 3: Make the Half Double Crochet. Yarn over again.Half Double Crochet: Step 3: Yarn Over Again

Step 4:  Pull through all three loops on the hook

How to make the Half Double Crochet, Last Step: Pull through all 3 loops on the hookHalf Double Crochet: Pull through all three loops on the hook.

Change the Half Double Crochet Stitch by Placing Your Hook Differently

When we crochet, we have some choices where we insert the hook. In a typical half double crochet stitch, we insert our hook under both loops of the stitch from the previous row. (see photo below).  But there are several ways to create this stitch.  Here are a couple of examples where we can place the hook.

1. In the front loop only of the next stitch (Hdc-flo)

2. In the back loop only of the next stitch (hdc-blo)

3. In both loops of the next stitch (hdc)

4. Around the post (from front to back) (Fphdc)

5. Around the post (from back to front) (BPhdc)

6. Between the stitches

A row of crochet marked with the names of the different parts of a stitchThere is more than one way to create the half double crochet stitch

How to Make the Ribbed Half Double Crochet Stitch

You will be making the ribbed half double crochet stitch as if you were making a typical half double crochet, but rather than inserting your hook into the top two loops, you will only insert your hook into the back look.

Diagram showing where to place the hook when making the rib half double crochetThe top of the half double crochet stitch looks like little V's with one leg of the V in front, the one closest to you, and the other leg, the back loop, which is farthest from you.

Practice the Rib Half Double Crochet Stitch

Half Double Crochet Rib Stitch Close UpRib Half Double Crochet Stitch

For this tutorial, I cast on 20 stitches.

Row 1:  Insert hook into the 3rd chain from the hook and work a half double crochet stitch.  Work one half double crochet stitch in each chain across row to end of row. (18 hdc).  Turn.

Row 2:  Chain 2.  Work half double crochet stitches by inserting hook into the back loop only. (hdc-blo).  Work across row.  

Repeat row 2 until you have reached your desired length.  

Two rows of the hdc-blo stitchHalf Double Crochet Through Back Loop Only (hdc-blo) or Ribbed Half Double Crochet

Last words

The half double crochet stitch is one of the basic stitches that all beginners master, but there are more than one way to create this stitch. 

In this tutorial we explored how to create the half double crochet stitch by working in the back loop only to create a fabric that resembes a rib such as you might see in knitting. 

It's a great solution if you are searching for a crocheted rib stitch to use in your next project.

Ribbed Half Double Crochet Stitch:  Pin for Future Reference

Half double crochet ribbed stitch, pinnable imageHow to make the ribbed half double crochet stitch, pin for future reference.

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