How to create the
Foundation Half Double Crochet Stitch (FHDC)
As a designer, this is one of my favorite stitches to start with. It is incredibly versatile and gives you some bonus height to the start of your project. My favorite thing about this stitch is that it gives your project a very stretchy start. While the typical chain loops are more restrictive and do not have a lot of ease or “give” to them when you stretch them out, the Foundation Half Double Crochet is the exact opposite. It has very generous stretch and give to it and it is a great start to shawls and garments.
A few patterns that use this wonderful stitch:
Begin with chain 2, leaving a single loop on your hook.
1. Yarn over; then insert hook into the first chain (2nd chain from the hook).
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over; pull through the first loop on the hook. This creates the “foundation” portion of the stitch.
4. Yarn over; pull through all 3 loops on the hook. This creates the half double crochet stitch portion of the stitch!
5. Yarn over; then insert hook into the “foundation stitch” you created in Step 3 above.
6. Yarn over; pull through the first loop on the hook creating the “foundation” portion of the stitch.
7. Yarn over; pull through all 3 loops on the hook. This creates the half double crochet stitch portion of the stitch!
Continue repeating steps 5-7 until you have the total number of desired stitches:
FREE CROCHET PATTERNS TO MAKE
Got a stash of mini skeins with nowhere to go? The Paint Drip Cowl is your answer. This quick, no-count knit turns six coordinating colors into one stunning, travel-ready cowl - perfect for using up sample cards, mini skein clubs, or leftover yardage you've been hoarding. Easy enough to knit anywhere, pretty enough to wear everywhere.
Made without a pattern, on the fly, in security lines and on airplanes. No counting, no charts - just a repeatable stitch flow and a gorgeous speckled gradient result. Cast on your next travel companion with this free pattern
Get ready for summer fun with our newest free crochet pattern - the Nantucket Tank Top! With fun color details and a sweet lace panel, you’ll meet the season in style.
If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect summer crochet project, let me introduce you to the Lisbon Sun Dress Free Crochet Pattern! It’s our newest free crochet pattern that’s super cute, easy to wear, and just breezy enough for those hot summer days.
I am so excited that Stitch & Hustle is part of the 2026 Moogly CAL! A free crochet pattern for this wonderful spiked stitch that creates a beautiful texture and pattern on BOTH SIDES!
The Sanctuary Revisited Crochet Shawl is a free crochet triangle shawl pattern worked from a center spine out in alternating half double crochet and open treble rows — delivering stunning textural contrast that crochets up faster than it looks. Sized two ways, the one-skein kerchief version wraps up quick while the full two-skein triangle gives you dramatic, room-commanding drape — both worked in Asylum Fibers DK on a 5mm hook with zero gauge stress. Born at Stitch Up Chicago and now living free right here on the blog, this is the shawl pattern your hook has been waiting for.
The Sanctuary Revisited Shawl was built for the way knitters actually live these days: cast on between meetings, knit through conversations, finish before the week is out or on the commute. Choose the one-skein version for a lightweight everyday wrap, or go full cozy with the two-skein size that drapes across your shoulders like it was always meant to be there.
Wrap yourself in the squishy loops of the cluster stitch with our newest free crochet pattern.
Meet your new favorite chunky beanie! The Oxford Chunky Basketweave Beanie free crochet pattern is here with a beautiful texture that will come together in a flash. Get ready to make a bunch of these beauties!
