The front post and back post double crochets are techniques used in crochet not only for added texture, but also to work some completely new techniques. They can be used separately alone or with other stitches, or together to create some wonderful texture.
Some stitches and techniques using Front Post and Back Post Double Crochet:
- Alpine Stitch
- Cables
- Ribbing
- Basketweave Stitch
In order to learn how to work the front and back post double crochet, you will first need to know how to do the double crochet. If you're unsure, check out my post on the 5 basic stitches you need to know to start crocheting!
Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC)
The front post double crochet (FPDC) is the first technique we are going to look at here.
The FPDC is used often in stitches such as the alpine stitch and is the main star in cabled crochet patterns. This technique creates a sort of raised stitch by pushing the top of the previous row behind it, giving your FPDC a raised look to it. These stitches will usually have a height about the same as a HDC stitch.
The FPDC uses the same idea of a Double Crochet, though there is one major change: where the
Where to work the FPDC: Instead of working through the normal top 2 loops of your stitch, you're instead going to be working around the stitch in the row below.
Think of it like this: you will be working through the front of the stitch's "post". The "post" in this case, being the stitch worked in the row below.
As you can see in the picture above, after working all stitches, you will be left with a smooth raised surface on the right side, with a bumpy, ridged wrong side where the top of the stitches now resides. This is what gives us that bump of volume to the right side.
Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC)
The back post double crochet uses the same idea as the front post double crochet, with one exception: we will be working behind the work through the back of the "post".
Where to work the BPDC: Instead of working through the normal top 2 loops of your stitch, Insert your hook from right to left around the back of the stitch itself from the previous row.
In terms of the back post double crochet, it may also be easier to take a look at it from the wrong side:
Working the BPDC in continuity will result in the ridge ended up on the right side of your work, rather than the wrong side, as is the case with the FPDC.
You may notice as well that the FPDC and BPDC are essentially going to result in similar stitches, though they will be backwards. With the FPDC, you will end up with a smooth, raised right side and a ridged wrong side. With the BPDC, the opposite is true - you will end up with a ridge on the front side and a smooth, raised wrong side.
The FPDC and BPDC are both fantastic ways to add textures to your projects. I use the FPDC in so many projects, it's crazy. Using the FPDC, I was able to make plenty of bags using one of my favorites: the alpine stitch. With the FPDC, you're also able to work cables, such as those in the hat below:
The BPDC is also helpful to know for adding texture to your projects with ridges as well as working ribbing for blanket borders, hats, and may more projects!
Until next time!