It’s easy to work, it looks great, it’s dense and rich and I am absolutely sure that you are going to love it. It’s the Frontal half double crochet, a name that is once again my invention, in absence of any knowledge about the actual name of this stitch. If any of you know a different name for this stitch, please make a comment and let me know.
The frontal half double crochet obviously is a variation of the classic half double crochet ideal for crochet bags. What makes it different is that this stitch begins by placing the hook under/ behind the yarn, instead of over it. All the following steps of the stitch are the same as the regular half double crochet. We insert into the first stitch in our way, then yarn over pull a loop, we then yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops on our hook.
One of the basic advantages of this stitch is its versatility. As a stand-alone stitch, it does not require a certain number of foundation chains even or od. It is worked in the round in spiral or in joined rounds and it’s absolutely amazing when worked with ribbon yarn or other types of flat yarn because it doesn’t tend to twist.
Frontal Half double crochet in joined rounds
Foundation
Chain any number of chains.
Round 1
Yarn under (place your hook under the yarn) and insert into the second chain from your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook. Repeat into the next chain. Yarn under insert into the next chain yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook. Continue placing one frontal half double crochet into each stitch until the end of the round. When you complete the last stitch finish the round with an invisible join.
Invisible join.
1st round
When you have completed the last stitch of the round insert into the chain at the beginning and slip stitch to join. Yarn over pull through all loops on your hook.
2nd round
Chain one. Insert your hook into the same stitch you slip-stitched and yarn under (place your hook under the yarn ) and pull a long loop, then yarn over and pull a loop to complete a frontal single crochet. Place one frontal half double crochet into each stitch until the end of the round. Place the last Frontal half double crochet into the first stitch of the previous round. Skip one stitch insert into the next and slip stitch to join.
3d round and on
Repeat the 2nd round
You can watch to work the Frontal half double crochet in joined rounds with an invisible join at the following video.
Tips
- To make sure your invisible join honors its name make the chain that starts every round as tight as possible.
- When working the invisible join pull the loop of the frontal single crochet up, so that it will match the height of the following frontal half double crochet stitches.
- To make sure you succeed in pulling the loop of the frontal single crochet up without pulling the chain before it, release the second loop from the hook, untwist and pull it and then insert the hook back.
Dos
- This stitch looks absolutely awesome if worked with flat types of yarn like ribbon yarn or t-shirt yarn.
- Though again it’s a matter of taste the vertical stripes effect that this stitch produces makes it more suitable for casual bags like backpacks and crossbody all-day purses rather than elegant evening pieces.
Donts
- This stitch is not reversible so do not work the Frontal half double crochet in rows. Though it can be done the visual result has nothing to do with the uniform nice texture this stitch creates when worked in joined rounds or in a spiral.
- Do not use this stitch with thin tubular yarns like thin macramé cords. Though many of you may disagree this stitch goes to waste when not used with a nice flat yarn.
