The Ups and Downs Slouchy Beanie uses a variety of stitches, and one of them is the half double crochet, worked into the “third loop.” Where is this mysterious loop? Well, let me show you! Here’s how to crochet in the third loop of the half double crochet!
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How to Crochet into the Third Loop of the Half Double Crochet
As Seen in the Video: (click to purchase)
As you have seen in the video, there are actually two “third” loops in a half double crochet stitch. There are the two main loops – the V on the top of each stitch – referred to as the front loop and back loop respectively. But that yarn over that happens before you insert the hook into the next stitch creates a third loop on each side of the stitch. And that’s the fun of crochet – so many places you can stick your hook to create a whole new look!
By crocheting into the third loop that is in the back, while crocheting in the round, you push the top V (the front and back loops) forward.
This can create a fabric that looks a lot like knitting! At least on the outside, or right side of the fabric.
The third loop that’s in the front of the top V can by used to create this knit look fabric while working in rows – just switch between the front and back third loops. It still results in a fabric with a right side and wrong side, but the Vs will be pointing in different directions.
Alternately, you work this third loop in rows as demonstrated on My Hobby is Crochet – her tutorial shows how to use this third loop to in rows to make fabric where the Vs all point the same direction! She’s also got a great tip for the joining when working in the round!
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Merryn
August 27, 2014 at 10:55 amThis is awesome, thank you! Is there a full video tutorial for the Ups & Downs beanie? I think it’s great and want to make one, but I’m still kind of somewhat new to anything other than Granny Squares and I’m a little confused by the written pattern at the moment.
Thanks for all you do!
Tamara Kelly
August 27, 2014 at 11:32 amThank you Merryn! Not currently, though I believe all the stitches now have video tutorials linked within the pattern!
Lin
August 27, 2014 at 10:58 amI love your tutorials and projects.
Everyone that’s tells me they want to learn I tell them to follow you. Thanks
Tamara Kelly
August 27, 2014 at 11:11 amOh my gosh, thank you Lin!! <3
Barbara
August 27, 2014 at 11:25 amtHANKS FOR THIS VIDEO! WELL DONE!
Tamara Kelly
August 27, 2014 at 11:31 am😀 Thank you Barbara!
jessie
August 28, 2014 at 11:29 amMy favorite stitch in a new way for me 🙂 thank you!
Tamara Kelly
August 28, 2014 at 4:59 pm😀 You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it Jessie!
C
August 28, 2014 at 3:20 pmIs this the same as the Camel Stitch? Or maybe that is only when it is done with single crochet? Thanks–this is a timely tip for me!
Tamara Kelly
August 28, 2014 at 4:56 pmI believe that Camel Crochet is typically done with single crochet. Similar idea though!
Katie Smith Wilson
August 29, 2014 at 4:37 amVery helpful video! Thanks
Tamara Kelly
August 29, 2014 at 7:44 am😀 Thank you Katie!
Kara Volz
August 30, 2014 at 9:26 pmThis helps with the beanie pattern so much!
Tamara Kelly
September 1, 2014 at 11:30 am😀 Glad to hear it!
Beth
August 30, 2014 at 11:28 pmI’ve been crocheting forever but I’ve never tried this stitch, never heard of it but I love the look & I want to use it soon. Thanks for the video
Tamara Kelly
September 1, 2014 at 11:26 am😀 Thank you Beth!
Charissa
August 31, 2014 at 11:30 pmI love the way the stitches turn out and your tutorials are so easy to follow! 🙂
Tamara Kelly
September 1, 2014 at 11:02 am😀 Thank you Charissa!
Helen
November 14, 2014 at 7:51 pmLoved yr video on the third loop half double crochet in back loop – wud u hv one for the front loop (third loop) – yr videos r easy to understand so wud like to follow yr video on the front loop (third loop). I enjoy yr videos b/c they r easy to understand – whenever I hv a problem I go to yr videos to find help. Luv yr designs & patterns as well. Tk u for sharing them & yr talent. I also mention to everyone about yr website & videos. Tks again for any help u can give me. I find videos easier to learn the stitches instead of diagrams.
Helen
November 14, 2014 at 7:56 pmIt’s me again. I shud hv mentioned that I did notice that u had a bit on th video for the front loop but it wasn’t enough 4 me to see. Wud u be able to make one for the front loop like u did the back loop. Many tks. Enjoy yr site & videos as mentioned earlier.
Tamara Kelly
November 17, 2014 at 11:23 amI replied to you on youtube 🙂
craftycrochetmama
December 4, 2014 at 10:28 pmLove these UPS and downs patterns. Thank you so much! Can you tell me where to join when working in the 3rd loop hdc? Do you join in a different place when transitioning back to regular hdc? Thanks again!
Tamara Kelly
December 5, 2014 at 8:46 amThank you so much! I just join as I normally would – I tried playing around with it a bit, but joining regularly seemed to give as good a result as any for this one. 🙂
Teresa
December 13, 2014 at 3:13 amThank you very much!!! You are a fantastic teacher. Your explanations are awsome!
Tamara Kelly
December 13, 2014 at 12:39 pm😀 Thank you Teresa!
Normajean bingaman
December 17, 2014 at 7:38 pmAwesome fantastic been crocheting for 72 years I will be 83 in January and your patterns are Terrific
Tamara Kelly
December 18, 2014 at 10:07 am😀 Thank you so much Normajean!
Ejj
January 10, 2015 at 3:13 pmneed video instructions to the braiding portion of this pattern. Thanks. Love the look and creativity of these gloves
Tamara Kelly
January 11, 2015 at 3:45 pmHi Ejj! I think the video you’re looking for is HERE. 🙂
DellaRose Reimche
January 10, 2015 at 4:29 pmThank you so much for this tutorial! I love the look of this variation and will be using it in my next project. I also love, LOVE your wooden crochet hook, where did you get it? I’ve looked online and not found anything quite like it. TIA
Tamara Kelly
January 11, 2015 at 3:43 pmHi DellaRose! Thank you so much! I link to the hook here on in the tutorial, right under the video. 🙂
Emma Johnson
January 13, 2015 at 7:40 amThank you so much for the email reply. However I kept reading the written instructions and finally got it. But the video was also a great help to tighten the braids and help them look neater. also, the additional vertical braids video section was a good new technique also. So thank you again.
Teresa
January 13, 2015 at 9:14 amThank you so much for all your hard work in order we can enjoy crochet.
Your videos are very hopefull.
Tamara Kelly
January 14, 2015 at 9:32 amThank you so much Theresa!
Theresa
February 28, 2015 at 10:59 amReally cool technique!!!!! Your tutorial makes it easy to follow.
Tamara Kelly
March 1, 2015 at 1:28 amThank you! 😀
SANDY
February 28, 2015 at 1:28 pmI have made 2 absolutely beautiful hats with pompoms for my granddaughter using this stitch. it works up so fast once you get the rhythm and the fabric that is creates is unique.
Tamara Kelly
March 2, 2015 at 11:32 am😀 Awesome!
wilma
February 28, 2015 at 5:19 pmThanks. This is a neat idea.
Marny CA
March 18, 2015 at 12:04 amLove love love this tutorial and the 3rd Loop.
It always fascinates me to learn a new anything – because creativity by others is astounding!
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself.
Tamara Kelly
March 18, 2015 at 10:31 am😀 Thank you so much Marny!
neusa eulalia
May 6, 2015 at 11:20 amMuito obrigado por compartilhar seus ensinamentos. estou muito agradecida e feliz!
Tamara Kelly
May 6, 2015 at 2:38 pmObrigado!
Carmen
December 7, 2016 at 9:16 amAwesome video! Very well done. Thank you so much!
Tamara Kelly
December 7, 2016 at 9:57 amThank you! 🙂
Arielle
February 7, 2017 at 5:02 pmWow, thank you so much Tamara, you are the best!! This has been a total mystery to me until you!!
Tamara Kelly
February 8, 2017 at 12:01 pm😀 I’m so glad it helped! Thank you Arielle!
TONi
February 20, 2018 at 2:45 pmI am using this stitch to make a border around a baby blanket. Could you explain how I would do the corner please?
Tamara Kelly
February 21, 2018 at 10:26 amHi Toni! It depends a bit on what sort of stitches you have in your corner to work into, but in general I’d recommend either working 3 sts in the corner stitch of the previous row, or working (3rd loop hdc, ch 2, 3rd loop hdc) in the corner stitch. The first will give a more rounded effect, the second will create a “sharper” corner. 🙂 I hope that helps!