The front post double crochet and back post double crochet are the two double crochet post stitches, called such because you crochet around the post of the stitch instead of into the top of the stitch.
A crochet post stitch can be worked in shorter stitches such as half double crochet or treble crochet stitches, but it is most commonly seen in double crochet. You won’t usually find post stitches in a shorter stitch like single crochet because they are usually worked around taller stitches, although you can work around the short post of a single crochet stitch. A post double crochet is worked the same as a regular double crochet stitch, the difference is in where you place your crochet hook.
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We will begin our dive into post stitches by looking at the front post stitch, which in my opinion is easier to master than the back post stitch (although it is not difficult either!)
What You’ll Need
You can use any weight yarn to work this stitch, so choose your favorite yarn and an appropriate crochet hook size and let’s get started!
If you’re unsure about the crochet hook size for your chosen yarn, take a peek at the yarn label. It will have a recommended hook size for the yarn.
Other than a hook and yarn you won’t need anything else to complete these easy stitches.
Front Post Double Crochet Video Tutorial
Here is one of my first YouTube videos! It quickly shows how to complete this stitch.
Front Post Double Crochet Crochet Tutorial (Step By Step)
Step One: Yarn over and insert hook around the post of the stitch in the previous row from front to back to front.
Step Two: Yarn over and draw up a loop to the height of the current row (3 loops on hook).
Step Three: Yarn over and draw through two loops (2 loops on hook).
Step Four: Yarn over and draw through remaining two loops.
One front post double crochet made!
Back Post Double Crochet Video Tutorial
The back post double crochet is just a bit tricker than the front post dc stitch. In this video (another early one from my channel!) I’ll show you how to work around the back of the post.
Back Post Double Crochet Tutorial (Step by Step)
Step One: Yarn over and insert hook around the post of the stitch in the previous row fron back to front to back (this is a bit trickier than the front post).
Step Two: Yarn over and draw up a loop to the height of the current row (3 loops on hook).
Step Three: Yarn over and draw through two loops (2 loops on hook).
Step Four: Yarn over and draw through remaining two loops.
One back post double crochet made!
Common Questions about Post Crochet Stitches
The post of a stitch is the bottom part of a stitch and is the part that actually makes up the crochet fabric. What you crochet into normally is the top of the stitch. The post gets taller as you work a taller stitch. A “front post” is working around the post in such a way as to push the post to the front, which creates a raised stitch, giving texture to the fabric.
The only difference betweeen a back post double crochet and a regular double crochet stitch is where you place your hook. In a regular dc, you work into the top of the stitch. In the back post double crochet you place your hook around the post from back to front to back.
You will find front post double crochet and back post double crochet used in crochet ribbing as well as more complex crochet stitch patterns such as crochet cables, alpine stitch, basketweave stitch pattern, among others.
You will see the front post double crochet written as a fpdc stitch. The back post double crochet is written bpdc.
The symbol for a front post stitch looks like a regular double crochet symbol at the top, with a hook on the bottom facing to the left. The back post double crochet also has a hook on the end, but it faces to the right, so try not to get these stitches mixed up!
The symbol for a back post stitch looks like a regular double crochet symbol at the top, with a hook on the bottom facing to the right.
There is no different technique for working these stitches in the round. It is still just the stitch worked around the post in such a way as to bring the post of the stitch to the front or back of the fabric.
How to Crochet Post Double Crochet Stitches
Learn to work post double crochet stitches (both front post double crochet and back post double crochet) with this quick and easy tutorial.
Materials
- Yarn in any weight of your choice
Tools
- Crochet Hook appropriate for yarn
Instructions
Front Post Double Crochet:
Step One: Yarn over and insert hook around the post of the stitch in the previous row from front to back to front.
Step Two: Yarn over and draw up a loop to the height of the current row (3 loops on hook).
Step Three: Yarn over and draw through two loops (2 loops on hook).
Step Four: Yarn over and draw through remaining two loops.
Back Post Double Crochet:
Step One: Yarn over and insert hook around the post of the stitch in the previous row from back to front to back.
Step Two: Yarn over and draw up a loop to the height of the current row (3 loops on hook).
Step Three: Yarn over and draw through two loops (2 loops on hook).
Step Four: Yarn over and draw through remaining two loops.