How to Make a Half Double Crochet (hdc) 

First Row: Ch 12, YO hook and insert it in the 3rd st from hook.

YO hook again.

Pull yarn through st. (3 loops on hook)

YO and pull yarn through all 3 st on hook. You have made your first hdc.

To make the 2nd hdc, YO and insert your hook in the next st. YO again and pull yarn through st. YO once again and pull yarn through all 3 loops on hook. Continue making hdc across row until you have made a total of 10 hdc. At the end of row, ch 2 and turn.

Next Row: Make a hdc in the top of each of the next 9 hdc. Make the last hdc in top ch of the ch-2 turning ch. You will have a total of 10 hdc. Ch 2, turn. Continue practicing this row, making sure you keep a total of 10 hdc per row. Your piece should look like the following picture.

Decreasing and Increasing With Half-Double Crochet

To decrease in half-double crochet (dec hdc) – YO and insert hook into first st. Draw yarn through. You now have 3 loops on hook. DO NOT work off, but YO and insert hook in next st. Draw yarn through st. You now have 5 loops on hook.

YO and draw yarn through all 4 loops on the hook. You have just made 1 hdc over 2 sts.

To increase in half-double crochet (inc hdc) – Make 2 or more hdc in the stitch indicated.