Front Post & Back Post Double Crochet Tutorial
How to Crochet Front and Back Post Double Crochet Stitches
If you’ve ever admired the textured ribbing on a crochet hat brim, sweater cuffs, or blanket borders, chances are you were looking at front post double crochet (FPDC) and back post double crochet (BPDC) stitches! These stitches may look fancy, but they are actually just regular double crochet stitches—the only difference is where you place them.
Today, I’m going to walk you through both the front post and back post double crochet stitches step by step. If you already know how to double crochet, you can absolutely do this!
What Are Front and Back Post Stitches?
Front post and back post stitches are a simple way to add texture to your crochet work by working around the post of a stitch rather than into the top loops. This technique creates raised ridges that give your fabric depth and dimension. When you alternate these stitches, you get a ribbed effect—perfect for:
✔️ Hat brims
✔️ Sweater cuffs & sleeves
✔️ Blanket borders
✔️ Textured scarves & cowls
The best part? They are just regular double crochet stitches! If you know how to make a double crochet (DC), you’re already halfway there! Check out my easy cardigan pattern that uses these stitches for the sleeves.
Full Video Tutorial
Materials
- your favorite yarn and hook combination
Skill Level
- Beginner – the maker should already know how to make a double crochet stitch
Stitches Used and Abbreviations
- ch/chs = chain/chains
- yo = yarn over
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- dc = double crochet
- fpdc = front post double crochet
- bpdc = back post double crochet
Let’s Learn the FPDC
We’ll start by practicing a row of front post double crochet stitches. For this tutorial, I like to have one regular double crochet stitch on each end of the row. This isn’t required in normal patterns, but it helps for practice.
Step 1: Make Your Foundation Row
- Chain 23.
- Work a double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and in each chain across.
- You should now have 20 double crochet stitches.
Step 2: Begin the Next Row
- Chain 2 and turn your work. (This does not count as a stitch.)
- Work 1 regular double crochet in the first stitch.
- Notice the second stitch. You will be working around the post of the stitch, not through the top loops as normal.
Step 3: How to Make a Front Post Double Crochet
- Yarn over (YO).
- Instead of inserting your hook into the top loops, insert your hook from front to back and then to the front again around the post of the next double crochet stitch from the previous row.
- YO and pull through a loop—you should now have 3 loops on your hook.
- YO and pull through 2 loops, leaving 2 loops on your hook.
- YO and pull through the last 2 loops to complete the FPDC.
Step 4: Finish the Row
- Repeat Step 3 across the row, working one FPDC around each DC post from the previous row.
- When you reach the last stitch, work a regular DC into the top of the last stitch.
Great job! You’ve just completed a row of front post double crochet stitches!
Now, Let’s Learn Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC)
Now that you’ve mastered FPDC, let’s try back post double crochet stitches, which are worked behind the fabric rather than in front.
Step 1: Start with a Foundation Row
(Same as before: Chain 23 and work a row of 20 double crochet stitches.)
Step 2: Begin the Next Row
- Chain 2 and turn your work.
- Work 1 regular double crochet in the first stitch.
- Notice the second stitch. You’ll be working around the post of this stitch just as you did with the fpdc, but from the back of your work instead (not the front like the fpdc).
Step 3: How to Make a Back Post Double Crochet
- Tilt your work so that you can see/access it from the other side.
- YO.
- Instead of inserting your hook into the top loops, insert your hook from back to front and then to the back again around the post of the next double crochet stitch.
- YO and pull up a loop—you should have 3 loops on your hook.
- YO and pull through 2 loops, leaving 2 loops on your hook.
- YO and pull through the last 2 loops to complete the BPDC.
Step 4: Finish the Row
- Repeat Step 3 across the row, working one BPDC around each DC post from the previous row.
- End with a regular DC in the last stitch.
- Notice the top of your work and how you can see the top two loops of every stitch. This is because we worked the stitches around the posts, leaving the top loops unworked.
Awesome! Now you know how to work back post double crochet stitches!
Putting It All Together: Creating Crochet Ribbing
Now that you’ve learned FPDC and BPDC separately, it’s time to combine them! To create a ribbed effect, you will:
✅ Alternate one FPDC and one BPDC across the row.
✅ Repeat this on every row to maintain the texture.
This creates the classic stretchy ribbing used for hat brims, cuffs, and more!
Final Thoughts
Mastering front and back post double crochet stitches opens the door to so many new textures in crochet! Whether you’re adding depth to a blanket or creating stretchy ribbing for a garment, these stitches are a must-have in your crochet skills.
Now it’s your turn! Grab some yarn and practice these stitches today. Once you’ve got them down, try alternating them for a beautiful ribbed design!
Happy crocheting! 🧶💛
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These photos are the property of Spotted Horse Design Co. This tutorial is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own.
