The herringbone half double crochet stitch might sound intimidating but it’s quite simple and adds an elegant touch to your project.

For this tutorial, you will need the following materials:
– Worsted weight yarn
– An appropriate sized hook to compliment your yarn choice

You will need to be familiar with:
– Chaining
– Single crochet (this is just for a foundation row in a sample swatch)

How To Make A Herringbone Half Double Crochet Stitch:
– Yarn over and insert hook into stitch
– Yarn over and pull up a loop
– (3 loops on hook)
– Pull the top loop on your hook down through the middle loop on your hook
– (2 loops on hook)
– Yarn over and pull through remaining loops on hook.

Now let’s work through it together by making a small swatch. I’ll use photos to help guide you along:

– Chain 14
– Place 1 single crochet into the second chain from your hook and into each stitch across
– Chain 1 and turn

The single crochet row you just completed will act as your foundation row.

Let’s begin our herringbone half double crochet stitches. You will be working into the first stitch of the row:

Continue down the row and place one herringbone half double crochet into each stitch across to the end.

As you can see, there is a visible slant to this row. If you are working on a project in the round, the slants will continue to be facing the same direction. It will give a really lovely stitch definition with an almost swirl-like appearance as your rounds grow.

Since we are working a flat swatch that uses rows and flipping our work, our slants will be facing opposite directions in almost a sideways “v” shape.

Getting back to our swatch and your completed row, chain 1 and turn.

Place 1 herringbone half double crochet stitch into each stitch across. Chain 1 and turn.

Continue these repetitive rows of herringbone half double crochet stitches as many times as you like until you’re comfortable with the stitch.

As I mentioned above, when working in rows, your herringbone half double crochet will begin to create a sideways “v” due to the changing direction of the slants in each row. Doesn’t it look nice? It also still maintains a good tight stitch appearance which makes it ideal for hats, mittens, blankets, etc.

This is a stitch I really enjoy working with and I hope this tutorial has been helpful to you! If you’re feeling comfortable and would like to try this stitch in a project, I have two free patterns that you might enjoy!

Striped Herringbone Hat (Child Size Age 4-8)
A super simple hat pattern that works up as a flat panel and is stitched together at the end.

Bobble Row Cowl
This is a lovely cowl pattern that uses the herringbone half double crochet stitch and the bobble stitch. If you aren’t familiar with the bobble stitch, you can find that tutorial here: Bobble Stitch Tutorial

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Happy crocheting!