Working Half Double Crochet Through the Back Bar

Did you know that basic crochet stitches can be worked in different ways, resulting in a different looks to the fabric? It’s a great way to learn something new using the stitches you already know and love. In this video, crochet expert Brenda K.B. Anderson demonstrates one of her absolute favorite crochet stitches—half double crochet through the back bar.

Brenda begins by demonstrate how to work this stitch in turned rows. She chains a starting chain, adding two tight chains as the turning chain. For the first row, standard half double crochet stitches are worked into the back bump of the foundation chain. When Brenda comes to the end of the row, she adds two tight turning chains and turns the work to create the next row. When working the next row (and all subsequent rows), she inserts hook into the horizontal bar under the top part of the stitch. Working through this bar from the bottom to the top, Brenda works a yarn over, pulls up a loop (2 loops on hook), then works another yarn over and pulls through all three loops on the hook to complete the stitch. She works the half double crochet through the back bar into each stitch of the row.

Working this stitch in the round is done in a slightly different manner. Once Brenda has joined to work in the round, the stitch is created by working from the top down into the back bar, which will be on the side of the fabric opposite you. Working through the bar from the top down, Brenda works a yarn over, pulls up a loop (2 loops on hook), then works another yarn over and pulls through all three loops on the hook to complete the stitch.

Creating half double crochet stitches by working through the back bar creates a super-warm and thick fabric, especially when working in the round. Not only is it warm, but it’s also very stretchy, making it the perfect stitch for crochet hat patterns and other accessories!