How to crochet Post Stitches

Namaste friends 🙏

Calendar pages are turning but not much is being achieved. We are already in the second half of 2021!

When the lockdown was announced I thought with so much time on hand and nowhere to go, I will crochet heaps of items and write a ton of patterns.

Only ended up adding more stuff to my WIPs basket...Lol.

Designed a lot of patterns but I’m yet to write them down in proper format.

Blamed it squarely on the Fam and protested that having them around All the time was disrupting my creative flow. Not that it affected them one bit.

The only thing that bothered them was “What’s the menu for the next meal?”. This question would usually pop up even before we were done with the current meal!!

I hope you had a look at my latest free crochet cowl pattern in my last post. If you did, do let me have your comments/ suggestions.

In THIS post we saw 4 different ways to work into a crochet stitch. 

In today’s post let’s see how to work around the posts of the stitches. These stitches are called Post Stitches (obviously).

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Post stitches can be made with any stitch and can be worked around any stitch. For this tutorial we will work with double crochet stitches.

I am using cotton yarn and a 4mm crochet hook for this tutorial.

Front Post Double Crochet aka Fpdc.

To start I have crocheted 3 rows of Dcs. Post stitches need at least one row of regular stitches around which they are worked.

On our post stitch row (in yellow) I have begun with the usual 3ch.

For a Fpdc – yarn over, insert hook in the space between the first and the second dc below going from the front to the back,

and then from back to front between the second and third dc below, while lifting the post of the second dc and bringing it forward

Now yo and pull through so that there are three loops on the hook.

We will complete the rest of the stitch just like a regular dc.

As this stitch brings the stitch below to the front it is called a Front Post Double Crochet. It gives a raised effect and is great for adding texture to your project.

Now onto the second Fpdc…

Here is a row of seven Fpdcs

and on the backside, we can see the loops formed by the Fpdcs around the posts below, we can also see a ridge of the unworked tops of the stitches forming a ridge, which also adds a 3D effect in your design.

Just for comparison here is a row with 5 Fpdcs and 4 regular Dcs.

The procedure for making Front Post single crochet, Front Post Half Double Crochet or even Front Post Treble crochet is basically the same as far as insertion of the hook is concerned, after that they have to be completed just like their regular versions. (I hope that sentence made sense.)

Back Post Double Crochet aka Bpdc

The difference between a front post and a back post stitch is just the direction in which the hook is inserted.

So let’s start, we have our usual 3 ch to begin the row, then yarn over,

now we insert the hook between stitches from the back to the front and then we go to the back again pushing the post below to the back, hence the name Back Post Double crochet. 

The stitch is completed just like a regular dc.

Here we see the raised ridge of unworked tops of the stitches below is on the front while the post is pushed to the back. We can also see the loops in yellow formed by the Bpdcs.

For comparison we have a row with 5 Bpdcs and 4 regular dcs.

And here is a look at the wrong side of the row.

As I mentioned earlier post stitches are great for adding texture to your projects and are used to form various stitches like Waffle stitch, Alpine stitch, Basketweave stitch, crochet cables and even ribbing.

So, you absolutely must have Post Stitches in your repertoire.

We will cover some of these stitches later. The very first pic of this post 👆 shows an example of crochet ribbing using alternate front post and back post stitches.

I have used this post stitch ribbing technique in the free Flora beanie crochet pattern, so do check that out.

I hope you found this tutorial useful. Please let me know in the comments.

Crochet Classes

You can now join me for private online crochet coaching classes from the comfort of your home. Contact me by clicking HERE, and also on Instagram.

While scouring Youtube for crochet videos I developed an interest in Tarot card reading and enjoyed watching them. And then a few days ago I came across these Yarn Tarot cards, so if you are a yarn lover and a Tarot card reader (which I am not), you might enjoy them! 😀    

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy.

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Flowers in my Window Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

Namaste friends,🙏

I hope you and your loved ones are fine and in good health.

In the last few weeks if you tried reaching my blog via Pinterest or Instagram, and couldn’t get through, I apologize for that.

It was a domain level issue (affecting thousands of people), and I could only wait and watch while the domain name was transferred from the old registrar to the new one by the concerned authorities.

But now my blog is up and running and I am so relieved!

In the previous post, I discussed Four ways to work into a crochet stitch, if you are a beginner crocheter you may want to check it out.

The next post was to be How to crochet Post Stitches but instead, I have a free pattern for you.

Crochet helped me immensely during the lockdowns in India, so I decided to release a few of my paid patterns on the blog. I hope these patterns help you get through these difficult times.

Today’s pattern is the “Flowers in my Window” cowl. You can read all about how this cowl idea was born HERE.

The print-friendly pattern pdf is available on,

RAVELRY 

LOVECRAFTS 

ETSY

The stitch pattern I used is actually worked to and fro in rows, and I have modified it to work in the round making it seamless.

I have used a DK weight yarn but you can use a thinner or a slightly thicker yarn. Stick to light and medium colours as dark shades may not show off the stitch pattern. Also, remember to change your hook size according to the yarn.

Flowers in my window Crochet cowl pattern

Skill Level:  

Size: Cowl measures approximately 40 inches around and 10 inches

wide ( 102 cms by 26 cms).

Materials:

• Yarn - DK weight yarn around 150 gms/ approx. 5 oz

• Hooks - US 7 (4.50 mm), UK 7

Gauge: Centres of the flowers are approximately 4” (10cms) apart horizontally.

Notes:

• This pattern uses US terminology.

• The cowl is worked in the round without turning.

• Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.

• The pattern is worked in multiples of 16.

Abbreviations:

beg – beginning,

ch - chain,

st – stitch, sl st – slip stitch,

sp – space, yo – yarn over hook,

sc – single crochet,

dc – double crochet,

tr – treble crochet, tog – together,

fsc – foundation single crochet,

2trtog – 2 trebles together

3trtog – 3 trebles together

Pattern stitches:

Fsc: Foundation Single Crochet - Ch 2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo and draw through 1 loop (1 chain made), yo and draw through both loops on hook—(1 foundation sc made). *Yo, insert hook under the 2 loops of the “chain” stitch of last stitch and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 1 loop, yo and draw through both loops on hook*; repeat from * to *for length of foundation row.

2trtog: 2 trebles together – YO twice, insert hook into st indicated, yo, pull through = 4 loops on hook, (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice, - 2 loops remaining on hook, now yo twice, insert hook in same st, yo, pull through, = 5 loops on hook, (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice, yo pull through all 3 loops on hook. – 2-tr tog is done.

3trtog: 3 trebles together – YO twice, insert hook into st indicated, yo, pull through = 4 loops on hook, now (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice, - 2 loops remaining on hook, now yo twice, insert hook in same st, yo, pull through = 5 loops on hook, (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice, - 3 loops remaining on the hook, yo twice insert hook in same st, yo, pull through = 6 loops on hook, now (yo, pull through 2 loops) twice, then yo and pull through all 4 loops on the hook. – 3-tr tog is done.

Instructions:

Round 1: Using 4.50 mm hook, keeping a long tail, Fsc 192. Join with sl st into 1^st Fsc to form a ring. Use the tail to join the first and last stitches and close the round. (192 Fsc)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in the same st, ch 2, 1dc in next 5 sts, sk 2, sc in the next st, sk 2, 1 dc in next 5 sts, * ch 2, sc in next st, ch 2, 1dc in next 5 sts, sk 2, sc in next st, sk 2, 1 dc in next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * around ending with 1 dc into the 1^st sc of the round (this dc is made instead of ch 2). (24 sc, 121 dc).

Round 3: Ch 6, sk (sc and ch-2 sp), sc in nxt st * ch 4, 2 tr tog into sc just made -1^st petal done, sk 4 dc, 3 tr tog into sc - 2^nd petal done, ch 4, 2 tr tog in top of 2^nd petal just made - 3^rd petal done, sk 4 dc, sc in nxt st, ch 5, sk (ch-2 sp, sc and nxt ch-2 sp), sc in nxt st *, repeat from * to * around, ending with sl st into the 1^st ch of beg ch 6. (36 petals, 12 ch-5 sps)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, * ch 5, sk ch-5 sp, sc in nxt st, ch 5, sk 1^st petal, 3 tr tog into top of 2^nd petal (4^th petal done), ch 5, sk the 3^rd petal below, sc in sc below, repeat from * to * around, ending with sl st into 1^st sc of round. (12 petals, 36 ch-5 sps)

Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc), sc in ch-5 sp below inserting hook under both the ch 5 loops, sk sc, * 5 dc in nxt ch-5 sp, ch 2, sc into top of 4^th petal, ch 2, 5 dc into ch-5 sp, sk sc, sc into ch-5 sp inserting hook under both ch 5 loops, sk sc, * repeat from * to * around till the last ch-5 sp, in this ch-5 sp work only 4 dc, join with sl st in 1^st sc of the round. (24 sc, 24 groups of 5dc)

Round 6: Ch 4, 2 tr tog in same sc in which sl st was made (1^st petal done), ch 4, 2 tr tog into top of petal just made (2^nd petal done), sk 4 dc, sc in nxt dc, ch 5, sk (ch-2 sp, sc and nxt ch-2 sp), sc in nxt st, ch 4, 2 tr tog in sc just made (1^st petal done), * sk 4 dc, 3 tr tog in sc below (2^nd petal done), ch 4, 2 tr tog into top of petal just made (3^rd petal done), sk 4 dc, sc in nxt st, ch 5, sk (ch-2 sp, sc and nxt ch-2 sp), sc in nxt st, ch 4, 2 tr tog in sc just made *, repeat from * to * around, ending with sl st in top of 1^st petal of the round. (36 petals, 12 ch-5 sps).

Round 7: Ch 4, 2 tr tog in same place as sl st, ch 5, sk petal below,, sc in sc below, ch 5, sk ch-5 sp, sc in sc below, ch 5, sk petal, * 3 tr tog in top of center petal, ch 5, sk petal below,, sc in sc below, ch 5, sk ch-5 sp, sc in sc below, ch 5, sk petal,* repeat from * to * around ending with sl st in 1^st petal of round. (12 petals, 36 ch-5 sps)

Round 8: Ch 1, sc in same st, * ch 2, 5 dc in ch-5 sp, sk sc, sc into ch-5 sp inserting hook under both ch-5 loops, sk sc, 5 dc in ch-5 sp, ch 2, sc in top of petal,* repeat from * to * around, instead of last ch 2, end with dc in 1^st sc of round (24 sc, 24 groups of 5dc).

Round 9: Repeat Rnd 3.

Round 10: Repeat Rnd 4.

Round 11: Repeat Rnd 5.

Round 12: Repeat Rnd 6.

Round 13: Repeat Rnd 7.

Round 14: Repeat Rnd 8.

Note: Work these six rounds as many times as required to get the width you want for the cowl.

Rounds 15 to 19: Repeat Rnds 3 – 7.

Round 20: Ch 1, sc in same st, * ch 1, 5 dc in ch-5 sp, sk sc, sc into ch-5 sp inserting hook under both ch-5 loops, sk sc, 5 dc in ch-5 sp, ch 1, sc in top of petal,* repeat from * to * around, sl st in 1^st sc of round (24 sc, 24 groups of 5dc).

Round 21: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in nxt 11 sts, sc in ch-1 sp, * sc in nxt st, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in nxt 11 sts, sc in ch-1 sp, * repeat from * to * around ending with sl st in 1^st sc of the round. (168 sc).

Fasten off.  Weave in yarn ends.

There, that's your Flowers in my Window cowl done!

Hope you enjoy making it. Thank you for your time.

Would you like me to make a video tutorial for this cowl? 

The next post will be about Post Stitches, so do join me.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop.

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy. 

Heartfelt prayers and best wishes to you and your loved ones, where ever in the World you may be.

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

4 ways to work into a crochet stitch

Namaste friends,

I hope your life is flourishing in the “new normal” which was a gift from 2020.

Yes, 2020 was a tough year that left no one unscathed regardless of age, sex, race, wealth or profession!

It was also a year of learning, adjustment and innovation.

For me personally it meant doing something I love in a very different manner.

And that is teaching crochet. I love Crochet and I consider it a Life Skill rather than a craft and I think everybody should know how to crochet.

Since I couldn’t carry on with my in-person classes I had to learn how to take my classes online. At first, I was adamant that it was not possible but my family egged me on and I am so glad they did.

My students enjoyed the classes and sent me cute pictures of their projects upon completion of the course.

But, the most frequently asked beginner question was “Where do I insert the hook?”

Hence this post! :)

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Now let us see the anatomy of a crochet stitch.

Firstly we have the Top of the stitch which looks like a little “v” also simply called “the stitch”.

The V consists of two loops, the loop closest to you is called the Front loop and the loop facing away from you is called the Back loop. 

This naming of the loops has nothing to do with the right side (front) of your project or the wrong side (back) of your project.

Then we have the Post or body of the stitch. The size of the post depends on the stitch made ie: single crochet, half double crochet or double crochet etc.

Lastly there is the base of the stitch, the place where the stitch originates, the part that is worked into the stitch or space below.

Normally when making a stitch we will insert our hook under Both loops of the V. This is an unspoken rule and holds true for all crochet patterns, unless the pattern mentions otherwise.

Here is a row of Dc stitches worked in both loops.

If the pattern says work in “front loop only”, the hook is inserted in the loop closest to you, like so:

And this is how it looks on the side you worked:

and on the wrong side of the row:

The unused back loop forms a ridge at the back.

If the pattern mentions work in “back loop only”, the hook is inserted in the loop away from you like so:

And this is how it looks on the side you worked:

The unused front loops form a ridge in front.

And this is the wrong side of the row:

Front loop and back loop stitches create ridges and are used to add texture to the item as in this "Single crochet in back loop only" ribbing for example.

In some patterns, after working one round in the front loops the next round is worked in the back loops to give a lovely 3D effect.

I have used this method in this clasp purse and crocheted in the loops separately to enclose the frame of the purse between the stitches so that the holes in the frame are not visible from any side.

And now surprise surprise there is a third loop too! Right behind the “V” and it is a horizontal loop and looks like this:

Working in the third loop produces even more texture as it pushes the whole V to the front.

As you can see it in the Camel stitch. I have used the camel stitch as an edging for the Harmony Cowl which you can see HERE.

Wow, you are still with me! Thank you for your time. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it useful.

If your crochet item does not look like the picture given in the pattern, read the pattern once again and check if you made your stitches in the correct loop. :)

In the next post I will discuss about using the post and the base of the stitch.

Is there a crochet stitch/technique that you would like to know more about? Any questions, suggestions and comments are most welcome.

Happy crocheting! :)

* This post contains affiliate links which if you use for any purchase, may yield me a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you.