Half Double Crochet Back Loop Stitch: Easy Ribbed Pattern

Pattern name: Back Loop Rib Stitch

Designer: Mirrymas

Difficulty: Easy

Hook size: 4.00 mm

Steps: 4

Images: 6

Description

This is one of the simplest textured stitches you can make. Every row is half double crochet, but from Row 2 onward each stitch is worked into the back loop only. The unworked front loops form neat raised lines across the fabric, giving a soft, stretchy, ribbed look. With just one stitch and one row to repeat, it is a beautiful stitch for scarves, blankets, headbands, hat brims and cuffs, and both sides of the fabric look the same.

Materials

• Yarn — milk cotton yarn (any yarn works, as long as you use a matching hook)
• Hook — 4.00 mm, or the size recommended for your yarn

Abbreviations

• ch = Chain
• hdc = Half Double Crochet (half treble crochet in UK terms)
• BLO = Back Loop Only
• st(s) = Stitch(es)

Special Stitch Instructions

• Half double crochet (hdc): yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch and pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
• Back loop only (BLO): the top of each stitch has a front loop (closest to you) and a back loop (farthest from you). Insert your hook under the back loop only, leaving the front loop unworked.

Step 1: Foundation Chain

Make a slip knot and chain any number of your choice, depending on the project you are working on. For this sample, chain 23.

Step 2: Row 1 (Half Double Crochet)

Skip the first 2 chains from your hook. Yarn over and insert your hook into the third chain from the hook. Pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. That is your first hdc.

Work 1 hdc into each chain all the way across. Make sure you crochet into the very last chain.

Total: 21 hdc (2 fewer than your chains, because you skipped the first 2 chains).

Step 3: Row 2 (Back Loop Only)

Ch 2 and turn. This ch 2 does not count as a stitch.

Yarn over and insert your hook into the back loop only of the first stitch. Pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Work 1 hdc BLO into each stitch all the way across. In the last stitch, work 1 hdc.

Total: 21 hdc.

Step 4: Repeat Row 2

Ch 2 and turn, then repeat Row 2, working 1 hdc BLO into each stitch across. Keep repeating until your piece is as tall as you want. Every row has 21 stitches. The sample has 10 rows.

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Author Notes

• Make sure you crochet into the very last chain at the end of Row 1.
• The ch 2 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.
• From Row 2 onward, every stitch goes into the back loop only. The top of each stitch has a front loop and a back loop, and you want the back one.
• Both sides of the fabric look the same, so either side can be the front of your project.
• To count your rows, count them along your work as shown at the end of the video. The sample has 10 rows.

Customizing

• Common sizes: headband or ear warmer about 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) wide; hat brim or cuffs about 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) deep; scarf about 18 x 150 cm (7 x 60 in); baby blanket about 75 x 90 cm (30 x 36 in); throw about 125 x 150 cm (50 x 60 in).
• Make a test swatch first with the yarn and hook you plan to use: chain 23 and work 10 rows, then measure how many stitches and rows fit in 10 cm (4 in).
• To work out your foundation chain, multiply the width you want (in cm) by the number of stitches in 1 cm, then add 2 for the chains you skip at the start of Row 1.
• Stitch counts for any size: for a foundation chain of C, every row has C − 2 stitches. For example, 40 chains gives 38 stitches; 100 chains gives 98 stitches.
• For hats, cuffs and headbands: the stitch is stretchy along the ribs. Work a strip with a short chain (the depth of the brim) and keep adding rows until it fits around the head or wrist, then sew the short ends together to make a ring.
• To estimate your yarn, weigh your swatch and divide by its area (width x height in cm) to get grams per square cm, then multiply by the area of your project. Add 10 to 15 percent extra and buy all your yarn from the same dye lot.
• For a long foundation chain, place a stitch marker every 20 chains and chain loosely, or use a hook one size larger for the chain.
• To make stripes, change colour on the last yarn over of the last stitch of a row.
• For a blanket border, work single crochet evenly around all four sides, with 3 single crochets in each corner.

Video

Watch the video tutorial

Conclusion

The half double crochet back loop stitch proves that a simple stitch can still look beautiful. With just one stitch and one row to repeat, it is easy to memorise and relaxing to work. Try it for a cosy scarf, a stretchy hat brim or a soft baby blanket.

If you make something with this stitch, I would love to see it. Share a photo and tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @mirrymascrafts, and leave a comment below to let me know how it went.

More stitch patterns to try:

• Crochet Granny Stripe Stitch: the classic granny look worked in rows.
• Crochet Cobblestone Stitch: round bumps made with single and treble crochet.
• Crochet Bean Stitch: soft, puffy beans that sit neatly together.
• Crochet Star Stitch: rows of little six-pointed stars.
• Granny Square Christmas Tree: a quick holiday decoration.
• Easy Textured Crochet Blanket Stitch: slip stitch and half double crochet.
• Back Loop Shell Stitch: curved shells worked in the back loop.

Happy crocheting, and see you in the next tutorial!