Post stitches can sometimes intimidate a less experienced crocheter yet I can tell they are really quite simple to learn. Once you have mastered them there are all kinds of combinations you can use with them to form some wonderful patterns.
The hook is basically inserted around the post instead of in the top of the stitch. Usually it is worked with a double or treble but it can also be worked with other stitches.
If you have not mastered the double crochet I would suggest you learn that stitch first. ( Double Crochet) Then come back to this tutorial and learn how to perform a post stitch.
Just for review – there are five places you can place a stitch and they are diagramed in the the picture below.
Now that you have seen the picture, let’s get our yarn and hook and learn to work the front and back post double crochet.
Let’s start by crocheting 23 double crochets to use as a foundation row.
Front Post Double Crochet Tutorial (abbreviation: fpdc)
Step 1: chain 2 (pictured above)
Note: A double crochet post stitch is shorter than a normal double crochet stitch. Because of this you will need to make the turning chain shorter then for a normal double crochet. Instead of the usual chain 3, you will use a chain 2.
Step 2: Yarn over, insert hook from front to back around the post (pictured above)
Step 3: Yarn over (pictured above)
and work a double crochet. (pictured above)
You have just completed your first Front Post Double Crochet.
Back Post Double Crochet Tutorial (bpdc)
Step 1: chain 2 (pictured above)
Note: Remember, that a double crochet post stitch is shorter than a normal double crochet stitch. Because of this you will need to make the turning chain shorter then for a normal double crochet. Instead of the usual chain 3, you will use a chain 2.
(front view)
(back view)
Step 2: Yarn over, insert hook from back to front around the post (Pictures above)
Step 3: Yarn over (picture above)
and work a double crochet.
You will have a week to practice this stitch, because in three weeks I will be doing a tutorial on a pattern using both the front and back post double crochet. It is a favorite pattern of many called the basket weave so spend this week practicing if its new to you.
Until next week, keep those hooks flying.
I love how you can use these stitches to create ribbing on projects.
http://guywhocrochets.wordpress.com/
LikeLike
I agree, there are so many uses in crocheting for rib stitches. It is a useful stitch to master. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the
book in it or something. I think that you can do with
a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog.
A great read. I will definitely be back.
LikeLike
Thank you for the suggestions of pictures, I will keep that in mind. It is easy to talk about something that your love.
LikeLike
Hi Thank you so much! Can you please tell me though because I’m a little confused. After the foundation chain and you do a row of the double crochets, when you turn, do you ch 2 or 3. I saw that you noted that for a regular double crochet one would ch 3 but on the fp and bp dc it is a ch 2 at the start of a new row. But does that mean though that after the first row of regular DC you use 3 chains but after you start doing the rows of fp and bp dc that you start ch 2??? Also, can you please tell me if in order to do a pattern with these stitches, do you have to begin with one or the other first? What about when you come to the end of a row and you’re not able to do any one of them, do you know what I mean? Thank you so much! Sincerely Lorraine
LikeLike
Your chain 2, because of the stitch is not as high as a regular double crochet, because you start the stitch in the row below. Secondly, the pattern will usually state which stitch is first. I hope this helps to make things clearer.
LikeLike
Hi! Finally someone explained the shorter turning chain reason! So if it were front post back post TC then turning chain should be 2, right? If it was 3- then the edges won’t look quite right, am I right?
LikeLike
I’m working on a pattern now, and something isn’t looking quite right with the edges. I’m working with tc front post row then back post row. But the turning chain is 3…….I”m so annoyed. Please shed some light on this.
LikeLike
It is really hard to really know without looking. But most of the time my students either miss up on the ends by adding or subtracting stitches. You might want to make sure that you are placing your ending stitches in the right spot. sorry I could not be of more help….
LikeLike