Learn How to Crochet for Beginners Part 5: How to Switch Colors & Half Double Crochet

Hello Maker! Are you ready to learn more about crochet in this next installment of the Learn How to Crochet for Beginners series? Today we’re talking all about how to switch yarn colors and how to Half Double Crochet. Switching yarn colors is used for color work in crochet such as stripes in my Cake Coaster Pattern. The half double crochet is similar to the double crochet, but includes less steps than a double crochet while still adding height to your work. If you’re following along with the Cake Slice Coaster pattern, this post covers row three. Let’s get started!

How to Switch Yarn Colors

1. (If you’re following along with the Cake Slice Coaster, this will be row 3.) If you’re working on a project that requires a color switch, take the yarn you want to switch to, and drape it across your hook.

2. Hook yarn with your hook and pull through the loop that’s on your hook in the original color.

3. Once you’ve pulled the yarn through, you’ll now have one chain stitch. You’ll now crochet with the pink yarn held in your hand instead of the yellow.

Tip: To make sure that the pink yarn doesn’t come out, pull the yellow yarn tight.

How to Half Double Crochet

1.  (If you’re following along with the Cake Slice Coaster Pattern, we’ll now begin row 3.) The first step before you start your row of half double crochets (represented in a pattern as hdc), is to chain two, and then turn your piece.

2. Next, you’ll yarn over your hook.

3. Now, insert your hook in the first stitch and yarn over.

4. Pull yarn through. Now you’ll have three loops on your hook.

5. Yarn over again, and pull yarn through all three loops.

6. You now have one complete half double crochet. Repeat steps 2-6 till you go all the way across the row.

Just like that you now know how to half double crochet! This stitch will help you quickly work up stitches with one less step than double crochets, while still adding height. You also know how to change yarn colors, which will be indispensable in your upcoming crochet projects. I hope this series so far has helped teach you some of the basic crochet stitches that crochet projects are made out of. Stay tuned for the next part of our series where I’ll teach you how to triple crochet!

Happy stitching!

~Claire

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