Decreases are pretty basic stuff, integral to shaping your crochet items. Some time ago I covered sc decreasing and dc decreasing, as well as a nifty trick for doing those as invisible decreases. But half double crochet decreases can trip people up - and even when it's done perfectly the standard way, it can cause a little puff to appear where you might not want one. So today I'll share the standard hdc decrease method - as well as my own trick for making it look even better!
Half Double Crochet Decreases Video Tutorial - Right Handed Version
Half Double Crochet Decreases Video Tutorial - Left Handed Version
As seen in the video (affiliate links - click to purchase!)
The standard method of hdc decrease, aka hdc2tog, is as follows: yo, insert hook into the next st, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 5 loops on the hook. Effective, trusted... and a little thick.
The Moogly method (which I'm sure someone else has also come up with, but I haven't personally seen elsewhere but my own hook) is thus: yo, insert hook into the next st, pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, and pull that same loop on through the 3 loops on the hook. A little different, but I think the end result looks a lot more like a standard hdc!
Some yarns and projects will respond better to either method - experimenting is the only way to decide which method to use when. But it's just one stitch, so it's not too much frogging to do to figure it out. And you might find that some other variation works best for you too! Either way, I hope this video has helped you crochet better today!
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Kate says
Thanks for sharing this clever trick and for putting together such a clear video to explain it!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Kate, I'm glad you like it!
Tami says
Thank you for sharing your way of doing this. I've always done it the "traditional" way. I like how your method looks. I'll give it a try next time.
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 Thank you Tami!
Tracey Smith says
Thanks so much for sharing this! I've been working on beanies and have avoided patterns with an HDC decrease as I couldn't figure it out. Your way makes so much more sense and now I think I can tackle those HDC decrease patterns! Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Tracey!
Judy Fox says
Your tutorials are some of the best I've seen. Everything is explained clearly. That's one of the reasons I so enjoy your website. That and your creative mind.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so very much Judy!!
Laurel Zimmer says
Great video! Not only was it clear & concise, the sound was excellent. I'm hearing impaired, & have found that other craft videos are very difficult to hear because they didn't edit out background noise, echoes or the speaker's breathing. Keep up the good work.
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Laurel, I'm so glad to hear it!
hilda guzMan says
Thanks for that bit of news .Decreasing half dbl cro was really easy for me.
But I do like the decrease the puffier way. So have the best of 2015.
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much Hilda! You too!
Stella Lee @purfylle says
I love your way of doing decreases. I'll be using it. Thanks so much.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Stella!
Cara Louise says
I too had 'discovered' this method several years ago... but I was working on a pattern today and for some reason it occurred to me that I might be forming this decrease incorrectly. So I went looking for official instructions. I am so glad that you shared both- it makes me feel much better about my choice to keep at it the way I have been!
Tamara Kelly says
I always say, do whatever works! 😀 The "right" way isn't always the best for a particular pattern. I'm so glad you found the video!!
LC Smith says
Brilliant!!! Thank you!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much LC! 🙂
Andrea k says
Thanks Tamara! I love using the hdc stitch but haven't been happy how the decrease looked. So glad I found this blog posting. Just doing one round with your technique has made a huge difference in my project.
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad it helped! Thank you Andrea!
Alice Lockman says
I love the new way of the hdc2 tog. Clever trick,tried it and it's wonderful,no bump. Thanks for sharing!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much, Alice!
Shirley Savoury says
I'm glad I found this alternative HDC decrease. The standard way was too bulky and the invisible way left gaps in my project. This one solves both problems. I agree...try them all to see which one works best for whatever it is you're working on. They all work in their own way !
Tamara Kelly says
I'm so glad you like it, Shirley! ♥ I Still try a couple different ones each time to find the best for the project!