Alternative Double Crochet, also called Alternate Doubles, or Extended Half Double Crochet, is a simple and interesting take on the standard double crochet stitch.
But it’s easy to confuse with the phrase “alternating double crochet” – which usually means working dc stitches in the back and front loops. This is, instead, a taller version of the standard half double crochet stitch. Let’s take a look at how it’s done.
Video Tutorial: How to Crochet the ExHDC or Alt DC
Written Instructions for the ExHdc
This stitch can be made over any number of stitches – just add 2 chains for the starting chain, as the first 3 chains are skipped and count as the first dc. From there, make each stitch as follows: Yo, and insert hook into the next st. Yo and pull up a loop. (3 loops on hook.) Yo and pull through the 1st loop only. (3 loops on hook.) Yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
And that’s all there is to making Alternative Double Crochets! It might take some concentration to make the sts this way, but if you can dc you can certainly Alt dc! Remember – even advanced crochet stitches are very doable, they’re often only termed “advanced” because they’re rare. In a way, it’s just a ch followed by an hdc. Because of the way it’s worked, Alternative Double Crochet creates an interesting horizontal stripe that stands out from the usual dc project – a great way to mix things up!
I hope you enjoyed this video! Have you ever made a project with Alternative Doubles? Share your thoughts, and let me know what other stitches you’d like to see a tutorial for in the comments! And I want to give a big thank you to Julia for letting me know about another name for this stitch (which I’ve updated the post to reflect) – thank you Julia!
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Liz Hasler says
Thanks! I’m going to have to try it. It does make a pretty stitch!
Chris Quirky says
Hi, I think this would be less confusing if you used the correct word in your vidio. *Alternate* means “every other (or second)” stitch. What you should be saying in your video is the word *alternative*. Alternative means “different”. So really, this is not an *alternate* dc, it’s an *alternative* dc. Hope you can see my point. Thanks for the tutorial.
Tamara Kelly says
The stitch is called both, and the Miriam Webster dictionary lists alternative as one of the definitions of alternate. If you read the accompanying post, this is addressed.
Gramma Rita says
This looks interesting. Will have to give it a try sometime. I am guessing that, after 38 yrs. of making a dc one way, it is going to be “interesting” getting my hands to cooperate with this. LOL 😀
Tamara Kelly says
It certainly took me some concentration to make the swatch! 😀
Julia says
This is great, I’ve never seen it in print or video before. I called it extended hdc, (ehdc or lhdc) as it’s worked like an extended or long sc.
Tamara Kelly says
You got me looking and it turns out some people do call it that! I hadn’t heard that name before, but it’s very apt! Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
Ok, I’ve updated the post to include that name – thank you so much Julia!
Julia says
Your very welcome 🙂 I think one of the best things to come from people like yourself sharing video’s is that we have been able to see how a stitch is made and collect together all the different names that you can call it. It makes teaching and learning so much easier.
Susan M J says
I love your blogs and Videos are very helpful, person doing them is exstreamly well talented.Why cant we PIN on Pinterest??? I like to share and point others to Great sites?? Susan M J
Tamara Kelly says
I’m glad you like them! You’re welcome to pin them too. You can use the bookmarklet if you have it on your toolbar, or you can use the Pin It button at the bottom of each post. 🙂
Susan M J says
Thank you and I will pin as Im inti pinterest a Lot.
Thank You Made me feel special getting this reply. See you again. Susan M J
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Susan!
marrie says
I really don’t know from where you get that awesome ideas!..I love your tutorial..Tamara! ♥♥
Marrie says
It’s OK…but today i tried it an’ hen i turned to make a 2nd row..i get back to the same look!… 🙁
Marrie says
*i meant that back to the back look!
Marrie says
Let me describe in a brief description:
see,for 2nd row we always have to turn the work!..but when i turn an’ make a treble so there is always a back side look!..:(
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Marrie, are you saying you don’t like the way Alt dc looks when worked in rows, because of the back side of the stitches? If so, you could always just reserve this stitch for working in the round. 🙂
Marrie says
thanks
Susan M J says
Hi Cool and cloudy in MN Good crochet Day??? This alternate st. I haven;t tried YET I will tho. Sound like a Afghan st ??
Tamara Kelly says
You could certainly make an afghan with it – anything you like! If you’re thinking of THE Afghan Stitch, that usually refers to a stitch that’s also called Tunisian Stitch and worked on a very long hook.
Xeng says
Wow. Thank you for another great tutorial.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you!
Flo says
Hi Tamara! I wonder if you could tell me how is the ‘linked extended half double crochet’. I can’t find a tutorial that shows it. I hace found some videos showing or the extended half double crochet or how to link half double crochet but any of linking extended half double crochet. Do you have any how to about it, or some link to help me? I really appreciate it!! Thanks!! Flo
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Flo! That’s a pretty unusual combo, so I’m not surprised you’ve had trouble! It’s a combination of extended half double crochet, and linked stitches, as you know. You say you have seen videos of each, so I think you’re well on your way. The first exhdc stitch of a linked stitches row can be crocheted pretty normally – just like in the exhdc video. Then for the next (and subsequent) st, you insert the hook into the bar of the previous stitch indicated in the linked video, then insert the hook in the indicated stitch, then yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through one loop (the extended part of the stitch), then yo and pull through all 3 loops. Does that help?
Chris says
Hi Tamara it doesn’t matter what you call the stitch it’s different than dc an unusual one at that very good thanks for sharing
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you, I hope you enjoy it! 🙂 I learned a lot of my stitches from older books, so when I began making videos I was using some of the older names. It’s always changing! 🙂
MeMe says
I really want to try this stitch but I cannot find a pattern using it, therefore I do not know how many to start it. Once you have chained the amount you want and start your first row do you skip any stitches? What about at the end of a row how many do you chain before you turn it?
Tamara Kelly says
Hi MeMe! It’s just like a dc in terms of chaining and stitch counts – you use it exactly the same way. 🙂