A swatch of the crochet stitch Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch is on a white-washed wood background. The yarn is a light beige, and a skein of matching Hue + Me yarn is next to the swatch along with a pink crochet hook. Text at the top says "Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch in the Back Loop Only azsaFree Tutorial"

Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch in the Back Loop Only Tutorial

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Learn how to do the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch in the Back Loop Only- one of my all-time favorite stitches! It’s a great alternative to a typical slip stitch. It’s also my favorite ribbing, and favorite crochet stitch that looks like it could be knit. And it’s really simple to do!

While this stitch is different than a typical Half Double Crochet or typical Slip Stitch – you’ll see why these two stitches combined make up the name! It also goes by “Yarn Over Slip Stitch.”

Looking for more crochet stitches that look like knitting? Check out this roundup of 9 crochet stitches here!

Scroll down for instructions and photo tutorial. Or, click here to pin the image below and save it for later.

A crochet swatch of the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch is in beige yarn on a wood background next to a pink crochet hook. At the top of the image over a white background, text says "Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (back loop only) Free Tutorial"

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When to use the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (HdcSS)

The HdcSS is great for any time you need a stretchy fabric. It makes a dense but elastic fabric, which makes this stitch a perfect candidate for ribbing.

It can also be used for any time you want a knit-purl look without actually having to knit something! Just keep in mind that it really is very stretchy if you are using this stich for garments.

I used this stitch and others to create the beautiful texture in the Snow Drift Beanie, and to create a faux-knit ribbing in the Persephone Pullover.

Skills to Know

This is a quick stitch to learn, and is very beginner friendly! If you know how to slip stitch and half double crochet, you’ll pick it up quickly. If you are new to crochet or just need to brush up on the basics, click here for a beginner’s tutorial.

Materials

Grab any skein of yarn and your favorite hook to practice this stitch! I do recommend going up a hook size or two from what your yarn label recommends.

I’m using Lion Brand’s Hue + Me yarn in this tutorial in the color Desert. I absolutely adore this yarn – the colors are beautiful! It’s a Weight 5 wool and acrylic blend. (I used this yarn for the Hailey Headband!)

The Hue + Me yarn label recommends a size 6.5 mm hook – I’m using a 7.0mm hook for this tutorial. I highly recommend grabing a set of ergonomic hooks if you don’t have one already. Being able to easily go up or down a hook size to fit your project will change your crochet game! You can find my favorite affordable ergonomic hook set here.

Abbreviations (U.S. Terminology):

Ch = Chain

St = Stitch

Yo = Yarn Over

HdcSS = Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (Yo, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop so that you have 3 loops on your hook. Pull first loop on hook through remaining 2 loops. Stitch complete. See Photo Tutorial below pattern.)

BLO = Back Loop Only (see Photo 10 in the tutorial below)

Pattern Notes

The stitch is worked in rows and is a 1 row repeat.

Turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch in the Back Loop Only: Pattern

Foundation: Chain any number, plus 1 for turning chain.

Row 1: HdcSS in second chain from hook and in each remaining chain.

Row 2: Chain 1 and turn work. HdcSS in BLO of each stitch across.

Repeat Row 2 to end of project.

Photo Tutorial

Above: Chain any number plus 1. Yarn over and insert hook into second chain from hook. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
Above: You will have three loops on your hook. To complete the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch, draw 1st loop on hook through the 2nd and 3rd loops on hook.
Above: Photos 6 and 7 show completing a Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (HdcSS). Repeat HdcSS in each remaining chain. Chain 1.
Above: Each stitch has a back loop and a front loop. To complete a stitch in the Back Loop Only (BLO), only insert your hook into the loop furthest from you (the back loop).
Above: Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (HdcSS) in the Back Loop Only (BLO).
Above: Swatch of the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch in the Back Loop Only (HdcSS in BLO)

Congrats on learning a new stitch!

Looking for more modern crochet stitch tutorials? Check out these stitch tutorials below!

Happy Stitching! – Ashley

The top image is a close up of a crochet swatch of the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch in beige yarn. The bottom four images show steps of how to crochet the stitch. Text in the middle says "Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (Back Loop Only) Free Tutorial"