If you’re looking to add some texture to your projects, post stitches can be a great option! Not only is it easy but it can create a variety of effects and accents.
Learn how to make the back post double crochet stitch below…
About the Back Post Double Crochet Stitch:
– This stitch is made by working 1 double crochet around the post of the stitch instead of the traditional spot in the top of the stitch
– This stitch can be made using any number of chain stitches
– It is used to create texture and depth within projects and is often seen in ribbing and cables and is the base of the waffle stitch, alpine stitch and basketweave stitch
– Working the back post double crochet on its own will create a horizontal ridged appearance as it pushes forward the tops of the stitches being worked into. When the back post double crochet is alternated with the front post double crochet, the appearance has more of a vertical ribbing
Tutorial Notes:
– Turning CH 2 does not count as a stitch
– To make the accent and texture really pop, combine with the front post double crochet stitch, alternating between the two
– If you wanted to use this tutorial to make something like a dishcloth or a scarf, you might find it beneficial to block your work at the end. Due to the added bit of tension and tugging when making post stitches as well as the placement of them, sometimes your project can pull in slightly creating uneven edges. A simple blocking method can assist in achieving a neater finish if desired
Materials Needed:
– Worsted weight yarn or bulky weight yarn (acrylic or cotton)
– 5mm hook or 6mm hook (appropriate hook to match your yarn weight)
– Yarn needle and scissors (if choosing to fasten off and weave in ends)
Stitches:
CH – Chain
DC – Single Crochet
BPDC – Back Post Double Crochet
Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC) – Yarn over. Insert your hook from the behind the row between stitch posts. Work your hook around the post of next stitch (so your hook is in the front, and the post is behind it) and back out the other side of the post (away from you). Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through last 2 remaining loops on hook. Back post double crochet is complete.
Let’s try the back post double crochet in a small swatch to make a decorative accent.
Your first row needs to be established before beginning the rows with post stitches, so you have posts to crochet around. It could be a row of single crochet, half double crochet or double crochet. For this tutorial, to keep thing simple, we will work with double crochet stitches.
CH 15 and begin row 1 in the second CH from your hook.
Row 1:
Into the first stitch and each stitch across, place 1 DC. CH 2 and turn.
(14 DC stitches)
Row 2:
Into the first 5 stitches, place 1 DC. Into each of the next 4 stitches, place 1 BPDC. Into the last 5 stitches, place 1 DC. CH 2 and turn.
(10 DC stitches, 4 BPDC stitches = 14 stitches)
Rows 3-7:
Repeat row 2
You can repeat row 2 for as long as you’d like. I have left the swatch below as-is to better show how the tension of post stitches can pull a project in-ward. Blocking is definitely helpful! It’s also good to note that when working in rows, the back post double crochet looks like a front post double crochet when the project is flipped over (and vice versa!). Combining front post double crochet and back post double crochet and alternating them between rows is very common and can really make those ridges and textures pop!
And there you go! I hope you found this tutorial helpful. To learn more crochet stitches, check out the tutorial section of my blog by clicking the banner below. Happy crocheting!
