Half Double Crochet V Stitch: How-to Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Half Double Crochet V Stitch  by Janice Jones  |Published 10-19-2023.

If you love the traditional Double Crochet v-stitch, you'll appreciate the versatility of the half double crochet v stitch.  It sports a lovely texture and it is reversible making it ideal for a wide variety of projects where the front and back sides show to the public.  

The good news is that it is truly a beginner-friendly stitch that is easy to master and since it works up quickly, many people love this stitch when creating scarves and shawls.

Swatch of the half double crochet v stitch worked with 100% cotton yarn.Half Double Crochet V Stitch

In this article, I will walk you through how to make a practice swatch and then provide you with a free pattern for wrist warmers that uses the half double crochet v stitch.

What can you make with the Half Double Crochet V stitch?

There are many posibilities for this lacey fabric including some of those below

  • Dishcloth 
  • Scarves
  • Shawls 
  • Crochet Market Bags
  • Pillow Covers
  • Blankets of all sizes
  • Placemats
  • Mittens or Fingerless gloves

How to Make the Half Double Crochet V Stitch?

In this tutorial, we will make a swatch of the half double crochet v stitch. You will need some yarn and a hook that corresponds to the size of the yarn you are using.

I am using an H or 5.0 mm hook and a Worsted Yarn or Number 4 yarn.

This stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 or an even number of stitches.

The v-stitch is worked as follows:  One half double crochet, chain one, one half double crochet (hdc, ch1, hdc). 

For the first row, the v-st is worked in every other chain stitch.  For rows 2 and beyond, the v-st is worked in the chain spaces created in the previous row.

I chained 20 for this swatch. (Feel free to create whatever size practice swatch you prefer.) OR, scroll down to my fingerless glove pattern, and learn the Half Double Crochet V-stitch while making yourself a pair of super soft gloves.

Abbreviations

ch(s): chain(s)

hdc:  half double crochet

sl st:  slip stitch

sc:  single crochet

v-st:  (hdc, ch 1, hdc) worked in ch-1 space

Note to Beginners

This is not a difficult stitch, however, it can seem that way if you can't find the chain-one space.  For this reason, I recommend that you choose a yarn that is light-colored and smooth as dark yarns that are fuzzy can mask the chain-one space.

Directions

Ch 20.

Row 1:  Work (1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in 4th ch from hook, skip next ch. *(1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in next ch, skip next ch; Repeat from * to last ch, 1hdc in top of ch-3, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * to end of row, 1 hdc in last hdc from previous row.

Repeat row 2 until you reached your desired length.  Fasten off, weave in ends.

half double crochet v stitch tutorial with marked and labeled parts

Make an even number of chains.

Step by step instructions for making the half double crochet v stitch:  step one

Work into the 4th chain from hook.

Half double crochet v stitch:  step 2

Create one Half Double Crochet V stitch (hdc, ch, hdc) the skip one chain.

Half double crochet v stitch:  step 3

Continue making Hdc v-stitches across row to last two chains. Skip next chain and make hdc in last ch.

half double crochet v stitch step 4

Working Row 2, Ch 1, then hdc in first hdc, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * to end of row, 1 hdc in last hdc from previous row.

Half double crochet v stitch step 5

Repeat row 2 for the stitch pattern.

Half double crochet v stitch, step 6

Fingerless Gloves Made with the Half Double Crochet V Stitch

Half double crochet v stitch fingerless gloves

Want to put your new skills to good use with a pair of half double crochet v stitch fingerless gloves.  

This stitch works up quickly and is an easy pattern for beginners to tackle.

Materials Needed

  • Lion Brand Mandala Ombre, color Chi
  • 5.0 (H) Hook
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry Needle

Skill Level

From the Craft Yarn Council, the symbol used to determine the skill level required to finish the project.

Basic Level

Abbreviations

hdc - half double crochet

CO - Cast on

RS - Right Side

WS - Wrong side

*  *  Repeat instructions between astricks

Ch - Chain

Size

Measure your hand before beginning.  The size of the fingerless gloves is large enough to have a fold over for cuffs at one end.  You can also turn them around and have a pair of fingerless gloves that can be folded over to cover your fingers.

Directions

v-st:  (1 hdc, ch 1, 1 hdc) worked in ch-1 space

Ch 24,

Row 1: Work (1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in 4th ch from hook, skip next ch. *(1hdc, ch1, 1hdc) in next ch, skip next ch; Repeat from * to last ch, 1hdc in top of ch-3, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in first hdc, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * to end of row, 1 hdc in last hdc from previous row.

Repeat row 2 until you reached your desired length. Fasten off, weave in ends.

**My fingerless gloves were 8 inches long.

Finishing

Stitch edge, leaving a space for the thumb.  Add a border if desired.

For my gloves, I added a shell stitch border.  

Row 1.  Work one sc in each stitch around.  Sl st to connect in the round.

Row 2:  5 dc in 2nd st from hook.  Sl st in next st, sk one st. *5 dc in next st, sl st in next st. Repeat from * across to end. End with sl st in last st.  Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Half double crochet v stitch lying on a surface
Half double crochet v stitch gloves worn by a woman

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About Janice

Hi, I’m Janice, the voice behind Smart-Knit-Crocheting. I love to knit and crochet and even more, I love teaching others what I know.

Though I learned to knit and crochet as a child, I didn’t get serious about these amazing hobbies until I retired. I’m a certified knit and crochet instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and am working on becoming a Master Hand Knitter through The Knitting Guild Association.

I’m currently living with my husband of over 50 years and our 7 Shih Tzu dogs.

I love hearing from you, so please drop me a line and let me know what you’re working on, whether you love knitting or crocheting more, and if you have any questions. Please visit my about me page for more information.


Happy Crocheting