Learn how to crochet an easy half double crochet square in 12 sizes with this free crochet pattern and video tutorial. This crocheted square is a great project to work in a solid color, or bust out your yarn scraps and work in fun stripes or a color block pattern.
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Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Ravelry by clicking here.
In a hurry? Pin this for later when you have more time.
When I first started filming for the Volume One Afghan, my goal was to ensure section 1 was beginner friendly, and it ended up leading to the perfect video where I was able to take beginners from picking out their yarn and holding their crochet hook all the way through everything they need to know about how to half double crochet, and that sparked my Back to Basic Crochet Event where I featured half double crochets. Beautiful how that little seed grew into a flower.
In the event, I wanted to feature a different half double crochet project that was beginner friendly for 6 days, and I was one project short, that’s when this afghan square was born. You can start with just a simple crochet square and create endless possibilities with the crocheted square on it’s own or sew a bunch together to create a bigger project.
If your stash is full of scraps, this is a great project to use up some of those on. You can either do smaller squares to stashbust, or make larger ones with stripes or color blocks. So fun!
Some ideas for this square:
- Make 1 in cotton yarn for a coaster, scrubbie, washcloth or placemat
- Make 1 in any fiber for a wall hanging
- Make several and sew together to create a tote bag, rug, blanket and so much more
- Experiment with different weight yarns to get different sizes for endless possibilities!
Easy Half Double Crochet Patterns:
Haylee is an easy crochet line that features simple half double crochet stitches. I love the texture of half double crochet when the fabric is turned at the end of each row! This is a beginner friendly series, and these squares are a great project to pair with watching your favorite TV show or movie because it’s just one stitch for the entire project, and you don’t have to even count rows if you don’t want you – you can use a soft tape measure to measure as you go, and stop at the length desired.
You’ll love these matching half double crochet pieces!
Haylee Earwarmer, Toddler through Adult
Worsted Weight Haylee Washcloths | Sport Weight Haylee Washcloths
Find more Haylee accessory and home decor crochet patterns on EyeLoveKnots, and Haylee accessory and wearables crochet patterns on Cre8tion Crochet.
you’ll love these other afghan squares:
Taryn Afghan Square (Tunisian Crochet)
Ad-Free Printer Friendly PDF:
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In a hurry? Pin this for later when you have more time!
What Materials Do I Need to Crochet a square?
- 20 (35, 60, 95, 135, 185, 240, 310, 360, 440, 530, 690) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn in Denim, Pumpkin Spice and Olive colorways
- H8/5mm Crochet Hook
- Tapestry Needle
Material Notes:
Depending on the project you’ll be working with this square, the yarn options can vary, but they’re practically endless. Feel to use your favorite worsted weight yarn, but I’ll provide some ideas for a couple projects:
For things like an afghan, scarf and shawl, acrylic yarn, like the Pound of Love I used, is a good choice. For a cozier option, go with a wool blend, like Lion Brand Wool Ease or Berroco Vintage. For a warm weather option, a cotton blend, like Berroco Modern Cotton or Lion Brand Made with Love are great choices.
For things like a tote bag, washcloth or table runner, a 100% cotton yarn, like Circulo Natural Cotton Maxcolor 4/6, WeCrochet Dishie or Queensland Coastal Cotton is what I would recommend. These are nice, durable options that wear and machine wash well and are also colorfast (not all cotton yarns are).
I love my ergonomic clay hooks from SiennasBowtique and BronzeShepherdStudio! They both have so many fun designs. I have several from each shop because they’re so darn cute and nice to hold onto! We also have lots of beautiful, handcrafted crochet hooks in our Yarn Crafts and Coffee Yarn Shop as well!
If gauge is not essential for your project and you don’t mind if the finished size of your crocheted squares are a little smaller or a little larger, you are free to size up to an I9/5.5mm crochet hook if that’s what you’re more comfortable using with your worsted weight yarn. Please note, this will require more yardage than that listed. The important thing when making multiple squares to sew together is just to have a consistent size between them.
If you experience ruffling when working the border, this is caused from a change, especially seen on the sides. My quick fix is to simply go down a hook size to a G6/4.25mm. You can also continue with the same hook you’ve been working with, and just block the finished square. Usually, I run into this issue, but I did not using Lion Brand Pound of Love, so I kept the same hook throughout.
TIME SPENT:
The 16″ square took me about two and a half hours to complete.
Measurements with Border:
Bold is the goal size, and what follows the colon is the actual square. Measured width by height.
- 4″: 3 7/8″ Square
- 6″: 5 7/8″ Square
- 8″: 8 1/8″ by 8″
- 10″: 10″ by 10 1/8″
- 12″: 12″ by 12 1/8″
- 14″: 14 1/4″ Square
- 16″: 16 1/4″ Square
- 18″: 18 1/8″ by 18 3/8″
- 20″: 19 7/8″ by 19 3/4″
- 22″: 21 7/8″ by 21 3/4″
- 24″: 24 1/8″ by 23 7/8″
- 27″: 27 1/8″ by 27 3/8″
Gauge:
Measured in Pattern: 14 HDC by 12 Rows = 4″ Wide by 4 1/8″ Tall
Note: If you are measuring a swatch that is only 14 HDC wide by 12 rows tall, it will measure slightly larger. If working a swatch, I recommend working at least 20 stitches by 18-20 rows, but a swatch is not necessary for this project unless the finished size is essential for the project you are making.
When working the pattern, the border will add about 1/2″ to the width and 5/8″ to the height. After working 6-8 rows, you can measure the width, add in the border, and you will know if the finished size will be where you want it to be. The height is even easier to see as you can measure as you go, and stop when you get close to your desired height making sure to figure in the border.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- HDC – Half Double Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
- SC – Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
Pattern Notes:
There is no set stitch multiple for half double crochet, so if you wanted to alter the width of the square, you can do so in any multiple desired.
If you want to alter the height of the square, simply add or subtract rows in any number. Personally, I like to end after completing a row worked from the front side of the fabric (or an odd numbered row), so the border row can begin from the back side of the fabric, which is opposite both the last row and Row 1, but the change in the appearance of the fabric is subtle so it’s completely up to you.
If you make adjustments, just make sure to continue to work evenly in the border working approximately 3 single crochets per 2 rows of half double crochet.
Beginning chain 1 does not count as a stitch, but skipped chains from the foundation chain do count as a half double crochet.
Half Double Crochet Square Video Tutorial:
Easy Half Double Crochet Square Pattern:
4″:
Chain 13. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (12 HDC)
R2 – 9: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (12 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
6″:
Chain 20. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (19 HDC)
R2 – 15: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (19 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
8″:
Chain 28. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (27 HDC)
R2 – 21: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (27 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
10″:
Chain 35. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (34 HDC)
R2 – 37: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (34 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
12″:
Chain 42. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (41 HDC)
R2 – 33: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (41 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
14″:
Chain 50. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (49 HDC)
R2 – 39: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (49 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
16″:
Chain 57. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (56 HDC)
R2 – 45: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (56 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
18″:
Chain 64. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (63 HDC)
R2 – 51: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (63 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
20″:
Chain 70. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (69 HDC)
R2 – 55: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (69 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
22″:
Chain 77. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (76 HDC)
R2 – 61: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (76 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
24″:
Chain 85. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (84 HDC)
R2 – 67: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (84 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
27″:
Chain 96. Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook, and into each chain all the way across the chain. (95 HDC)
R2 – 77: Chain 1, and turn. Work 1 HDC into the first HDC, and into each HDC across the row. (95 HDC)
Proceed to Border.
Border Notes:
If gauge is not essential for your project, the border is optional, but I like to work one to give the square a more finished look.
I am working a simple single crochet round, but you can change that stitch up to any that you like, or add additional rounds to the border.
I am working my corners as (SC, chain 2, SC), which will give me a more square corner. Another way you can do this is (SC, HDC, SC) into the same stitch. If you like a more round corner, you can work a (SC, chain 1, SC) or 3 SC into the same stitch.
If you experience ruffling when working the border, this is caused from a change, especially seen on the sides. My quick fix is to simply go down a hook size to a G6/4.25mm. You can also continue with the same hook you’ve been working with, and just block the finished blanket. Usually, I run into this issue, but I did not this time so I kept the same hook throughout.
I finished my square with a slip stitch join, but you could also finish your square with an invisible join, which creates a clean, consistent look. Either way, this stitch will count as the final stitch for the border.
Border:
Chain 1, turn. SC into the 1st stitch and into each remaining stitch across over to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, evenly SC (that’s 3 stitches per 2 rows of HDC) down the side of the square to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, SC across the opposite side of the foundation chain over to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, evenly SC (that’s 3 stitches per 2 rows of HDC) up the side of the square to the first stitch, SC into the same stitch as the first, chain 1, then slip stitch join to the 1st SC (which takes the place of the last chain).
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
Please feel free to make and sell your own items made using this pattern, but keep in mind, this written pattern and my photos are protected by copyright. Please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern. DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead so other’s can visit. Making videos providing instructions how to make my projects on any social media platform is also not permitted.
