Front Post vs Back Post in Crochet: A Clear Guide
Crochet offers a multitude of techniques, allowing crafters to create unique and beautiful patterns. One method for adding texture and depth to crochet projects is by using front post and back post stitches. While both stitches are worked around the post of the stitch from the previous row, their difference lies in the way they’re executed.
Front and back post stitches are versatile and can be utilized in numerous patterns, including cables, ribbing, and basketweave designs. Some projects require the use of just one of these stitches, whereas other might involve both. Understanding these two stitches can enhance the range of projects you can create.
Key Takeaways
- Front post and back post stitches add texture and depth to crochet projects
- The difference between the two stitches lies in how they are executed
- Projects may involve one or both of front and back post stiches to produce unique effects
- Mastering both techniques will expand the variety of patterns that can be created
What are Post Stitches?
Post stitches are a crochet technique that adds texture to your projects. They differ from the standard crochet stitches as you work them around the post of a stitch from a previous row, rather than inserting the hook into the top of the stitch.
The post stitch method can be applied to any of the standard crochet stitches such as single crochet, double crochet, or treble crochet.
To form a post stitch, you start with any required yarn overs as normal, i.e. none for a single crochet, one for a double crochet, and two for a treble crochet. Then, instead of inserting your hook into the top of the stitch as you would usually do, you insert it around the post of the stitch from the row below. The direction you insert your hook around the post (i.e. starting from the back or starting from the front of your work) depends on whether you are creating a back post stitch or a front post stitch.
Once the hook has been inserted around the post, you then complete the stitch as normal, i.e. with the required number of yarn overs and pull throughs.
This method of working stitches around the post of the previous stitch, instead of through its top loops, creates a raised effect on the fabric, providing an interesting design element to your crochet creation.
Front Post vs Back Post
There are two main types of post stitches: front post stitches (FP) and back post stitches (BP).
In a front post stitch, you insert your hook from the front of your work to the back, around the post of the stitch, and back to the front of your work. This causes the stitch to be pulled forward, creating a raised and textured appearance on the front side of the fabric.
Conversely, in a back post stitch, you insert your hook from the back of your work to the front, around the post of the stitch, and back to the back of your work. This causes the stitch to be pulled towards the backside of the fabric, creating a raised and textured appearance on the back of the fabric.
For both front and back post stitches, once you have inserted the hook around the post, you simply complete the stitch as you normally would. For instance, for a double crochet post stitch, you would yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook and repeat this step once more to complete the stitch.
Essentially, these versatile post stitches enable you to create a range of textured patterns and designs in your crochet projects. By alternating front and back post stitches or using them in combination with other stitch techniques, you can achieve visually appealing and unique effects in your handmade creations.
Front Post and Back Post Stitches
As mentioned above, the front or back post method can be applied to any of the standard crochet stitches.
In a pattern, you may see the abbreviation “FP” or “BP” before a standard stitch abbreviation, which indicates that the stitch should be worked around the post, either front-wise or back-wise. For example, FPdc stands for “front post double crochet”, whereas BPsc stands for “back post single crochet”.
Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)
Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc) involves working a double crochet stitch around the post of the designated stitch. The hook is inserted around the post from the front to the back, and then to the back of the work. This results in the FPdc stitch pulling the post of the previous stitch forward, creating a raised texture on the right side of the fabric, making.
To execute a front post double crochet (FPdc) stitch:
- Yarn over as you normally would for a double crochet stitch.
- Insert your hook from front to back to front, around the post of the stitch in the row below.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop (three loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through too loops on hook (two loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook (one loop on hook).
Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc)
On the other hand, Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc) involves working the stitch around the post of the designated stitch from the back to the front, which essentially pulls the post of the previous stitch backward. This method contributes to a more subtle texture on the right side of the material, while the raised detail appears on the wrong side.
To execute a back post double crochet (BPdc) stitch:
- Yarn over as you normally would for a double crochet stitch.
- Insert your hook from back to front to back, around the post of the stitch in the row below.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop (three loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through too loops on hook (two loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook (one loop on hook).
As you will see, it is only step 2 that is different to the steps for a FPdc.
Using Front and Back Post Stitches in Projects
Post stitches have masses of potential for creating unique and attractive patterns and textures in a whole range of different kinds of projects. In this section, we will look at a few examples.
Crochet Ribbing
Using both front and back post stitches is a really effective way of creating crochet ribbing. This ribbing could be used for garments, accessories, or even blanket borders. You could create the ribbing either by simply alternating FPdc and BPdc stiches, or by forming two of each stitch and repeating. Try experimenting with different patterns to see which works best for your project.
If you turn the work at the end of a row or round, in the next row or round you should work a FP stitch around each BP stitch from the previous row or round, and vice versa. However, if you do not turn the work at the end of a row or round, the next row or round should have a FP stitch worked in each FP stitch from the previous row or round, and a BP stitch worked in each BP stitch.
Accentuating Details
Post stitches can also be used in specific locations to pull stitches forwards and accentuate certain details in a design. For example, these tapestry crochet hexagons from the Waltz of the Flowers Blanket use FPdc stitches to raise the central part of each petal, adding texture and depth to the design.
Adding Texture
Either front or back post stitches can also be used to add texture to projects. For example, in this Flower Star Snowflake, back post stitches are used to create an attractive ridged effect in the outer rounds.
Brioche Crochet
Front post stitches are also used to create the unique and appealing ribbed effect found in brioche crochet. By creating interlocking rows of FPdc stitches in different colors, beautiful stripes and other patterns can be created with wonderful texture and depth.
Overlay Crochet
Overlay crochet is another technique that uses front post stitches to stunning effect. Sometimes stitches as tall as treble and even double treble crochet stitches are worked over one or more previous rows of crochet and around the post of a stitch several rows before. This technique can create a beautiful raised pattern over or on top of the previous stitches.
Other Effects
Post stitches can also be used to create a whole range of other textured effects in crochet projects. From cables to basketweave patterns, the range of possibilities with these adaptable stitches is really limitless.
US vs UK Crochet Terminology for Post Stitches
There are some differences between UK and US crochet terminology and the field of post stitches is one such area where this occurs. Nowadays, it is common for many UK patterns to use the abbreviations FP and BP, as in the US. However, the traditional UK terms for these stitches are “Raised … Front”, and “Raised … Back”. For example, a UK treble crochet (which is equivalent to a US double crochet) worked around the post from front to back to front (i.e. a US front post stitch), is called a “Raised Treble Front” stitch, and is abbreviated as “RtrF”.
Here is a conversion table for converting between US and UK post stitches:
| US Term | UK Term |
| FPsc | RdcF |
| BPsc | RdcB |
| FPdc | RtrF |
| BPdc | RtrB |
| FPtr | RdtrF |
| BPtr | RdtrB |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between front post and back post crochet?
The main difference between front post and back post crochet lies in the direction of the stitches. In a front post stitch, the hook is inserted around the post of the stitch from the front side, creating a raised texture on the right side of the fabric. Conversely, in a back post crochet stitch, the hook is inserted around the post of the stitch from the back side, resulting in a raised texture on the wrong side of the fabric.
How do you alternate front and back post double crochet stitches?
To alternate front and back post double crochet stitches, follow these simple steps:
- Work a front post double crochet around the first stitch.
- Work a back post double crochet around the next stitch.
- Continue alternating between front and back post double crochet stitches across the row.
This creates a textured pattern, perfect for projects like blankets or scarves.
What is the technique for front post treble crochet?
To perform a front post treble crochet, follow these steps:
- Yarn over twice to prepare for the treble crochet.
- Insert the hook from the front to the back around the post of the stitch in the previous row.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop, so you have four loops on the hook.
- Yarn over and pull through two loops.
- Repeat step 4 twice more until one loop remains.
This technique creates a longer, more pronounced raised stitch compared to the front post double crochet.
How does front post half double crochet differ from regular half double crochet?
A front post half double crochet is worked around the post of the stitch, while a regular half double crochet is worked into the top of the stitch. This difference in hook placement results in a raised texture when using the front post half double crochet, as opposed to a flat texture with the regular half double crochet.
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