How to: Do a Front-Post Double Crochet (FPDC) & a Back-Post Double Crochet (BPDC)

Front Post and Back Post Double Crochet stitches can add ALOT of texture to a design to your crochet work. They are also the baseline for Crochet Cables and are also used to create the look of ribbing on hats, mittens, blankets, etc.

I also use this technique in my entire line of Leaf Patterns (see below)

These stitches, although they have more height, help create a similar look to alternating Purl and knit stitches in knitting.

The biggest difference between this stitch and a typical double crochet stitch is that you work around the stitch, you do not go through the stitch.

Before we get started…

What makes this stitch different from others is where and how to insert your hook. There are front post stitches and back post stitches.

First, you need to know where the post of the stitch is. The post of a stitch is the bottom part of the stitch, below the loops (at the top) that you typically crochet into. This is what forms the body of whatever fabric you’re making.

Now that you know that, let’s talk about crochet hook position and placement. For front post stitches you insert your hook from front to back to front.

And for back post stitches, you insert your hook from back to front to back.

Now that we went over all that, we can start creating front and back post double crochets.

Below is the written explanation with photos, and I have included the YouTube Video I did as well.

Let’s Get started!

Terms to Know

Ch(s): chain(s)

YO: Yarn Over

St(s): stitch(es)

Materials

• Lion Brand Yarn Basic Stitch Anti Pilling™ Yarn(in Mustard)-for the video tutorial. for pictures, I am using a hand-dyed yarn by Dye Monkey Yarns. It’s called Rumba Monkey in Cranberry.
• Lion Brand® Bamboo Crochet Hooks (I also love the ,Susan Bates Silvalume Aluminum, Crochet Hooks as well).

Stitches

Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc):

1. Yarn over (YO), insert the hook from back to front to back around the post of the previous round stitch,

2. Yarn over (YO), pull a loop

3. Yarn over (YO) and pull through two loops

(two left on hook)

4. Yarn over (YO), pull through the last 2 loops

Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc):

1. Yarn over (YO), insert the hook from front to back to front around the post of the previous round stitch.

2. Yarn over (YO), pull up a loop

3. Yarn over (YO) and pull through two loops (two left on hook)

4. yarn over (YO), pull through the last 2 loops

Need a Better Visual

Watch this video for a step-by-step tutorial.