Learn how to make the back post half double crochet stitch. To make a highly textured, eye-catching fabric, combine this stitch with the front post half double crochet stitch. The back post half double crochet stitch is abbreviated as bphdc..
Back Post Half Double Crochet Tutorial
This lesson includes both written and visual instructions. If you're familiar with other crochet post stitches, such as the back post double crochet, this is made in the same manner, but with a half double crochet rather than a double crochet. To be honest, this stitch is used far less, but there are sure to be times when you want your stitches to be shorter and firmer, but still have fabulous textured fabric.
Supplies for Bphdc Stitch
You can use any smooth yarn to learn this stitch, and you will need a crochet hook size suitable for the yarn you have chosen. You may also need a pair of scissors and a yarn needle for threading your ends in.
Abbreviations for Back Post Half Double Crochet
All instructions are in US terms. Read more terms in the crochet glossary.
- Bphdc = back post half double crochet
- dc = double crochet stitch
- sc = single crochet stitch
- ch = chain stitch crochet
- hdc = half double crochet stitch
- YO = yarn over
- st (s) = stitch (es)
- sl st(s) = slip stitch (es)
In UK terminology, the hdc stitch is called a half-treble stitch. This is exactly the same stitch, just with a different name. If you are using a pattern written in the UK please take note of this.
Skill Level for Bphdc Crochet
This basic crochet stitch is rated for confident beginner. If you already know how to make a half double crochet, this will be easy. It simply involves inserting your hook in a different position, but the basic stitch is the same.
What is Back Post Half Double Crochet?
Working around the back of a post from the row before gives the crochet fabric an interesting raised ridge. The post of your stitch is the tall, vertical part of the stitch that gives the stitch its height.
Even though double crochet is the most common way to use this technique, the same steps can be used for single, half double, and treble crochet as well.
You will work around the stitch's post rather than into the upper loops of the stitches. Keep in mind that "front" and "back" relate to the beginning placement of your hook while working with post stitches.
Here you can see the back post of the stitch where I have inserted the yellow needle.
Half Double Crochet Refresher
For those of you who haven’t worked hdc for a while, here is a brief refresher on how to work it:
- Start with your foundation chain.
- Yarn over and insert hook into the third chain from hook.
- Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it through the chain stitch. There should be three loops on your hook.
- YO and pull it through all three loops on the hook. There is only one loop left on the hook.
- Go to the next chain in the foundation chain. Work one hdc stitch in each chain across the foundation chain to finish one row of hdc.
How to Back Post Half Double Crochet Step by Step
For the back post stitches, we'll start each hdc with our hook in the back of the next stitch. To make a test swatch:
Foundation:
- Start with a foundation chain. (Try 14 stitches for a small trial swatch.)
Row 1:
- Chain 2.
- Work 1 row of half double crochet.
Row 2:
- Turn, chain 2.
- Work 1 hdc.
To work your first back post half double crochet:
- Yarn over the hook
- Insert hook through stitch post, from back to front and out the back again.
The hook must be horizontal to the stitch post in front of it. Because you are working at the back of the stitch, your hook will hardly be visible.
- Draw yarn through. (Hook with three loops)
- Yarn over hook.
- Pull the hook through all three loops. (1 loop on hook and your first bphdc is complete.)
- Continue along the row to complete a whole row of bphdc.
- Work a regular hdc into the final stitch of row.
You will see that all your stitches get pulled backward. The ridge formed will be on the wrong side of the fabric.
Row 3:
- Turn, chain 2.
- Work an ordinary hdc along the next row.
Rows 2 and 3 should be repeated until you have a swatch of the desired length. I have changed to a DK weight yarn so you can more clearly see the ribbed crochet look that the bphdf displays.
Back Post Half Double Crochet Increase
Conventional crochet increases are created by crocheting two stitches into the same stitch. To produce a back post increase, crochet one stitch into the top of a stitch and one stitch around the post of the same stitch.
- Work along your row of hdc where you need to increase.
- Put your hook into the top of the previous row, (just as you would for a regular hdc), and work the hdc.
- Now insert your hook around the back post of that same stitch, and work your bphdc.
You have worked 2 stitches into one, so have increased one stitch. Repeat as needed for as many stitches as you need to increase.
Back Post Half Double Crochet Decrease
To decrease, you will be working 2 together.
- Work along your row of hdc, where you need to decrease.
- YO, Insert hook through post of the next stitch, starting from the back of the stitch.
- YO, Pull up a loop (3 stitches on hook). Do not complete the stitch.
- YO, Insert hook into post of next stitch starting from the back.
- YO, pull up a loop. (5 stitches on hook.)
- YO, pull the loop through all stitches on the hook.
You have now reduced 2 stitches to only 1, so decreased a stitch. Repeat as many times as you need to decrease.
How to bphdc in the Round
Foundation:
- Begin with a magic ring or a ring formed by chain 3 and slip stitch.
Round 1:
- Chain 2 (these count as the initial hdc),
- 11 hdc into the ring.
- Slip stitch to join.
Because the hdc doesn't have a very tall post, work loosely so that you can see where to place your hook each time!
- Chain 2. (This counts as the first hdc in round 2)
- Bphdc around the first ch 2 of the preceding round.
- *Hdc only into the upper loops of the next bphdc. Then work bphdc around the same st's post. (With each stitch, you are increasing by working twice into each stitch.)
- Repeat from * into each stitch of the round. (24 stitches, 12 hdc, and 12 bphdc.)
Round 3:
- ChIn 2 (counts as the first hdc).
- *Hdc into the top of the next stitch. (This will be into the previous round's bphdc.)
- Create a bphdc in the same stitch, then a regular hdc in the following stitch.
- Repeat from * 11 times more, skipping the last hdc in the last repeat.
- Slip stitch to the top of the second chain. (36 sts, 24 hdc, 12 bphdc)
In rounds, work the bphdc in each previous bphdc and increase the amount of hdc by one in between each bphdc.
- Thus round 4 is 2 hdc, 1 increased bphdc all around, and round 5 is 3 hdc, 1 increased bphdc all around. And so forth.
- Continue working in rounds until your circle reaches the appropriate size.
Back Post Half Double Crochet FAQs
What Stitches Can I Make with bphdc?
A lovely texture is created by combining front and back post stitches. It's great for ribbing on clothing, hats, and any other project that needs to be thick and comfortable. When front and back post stitches are alternated, both sides of the fabric have the same texture.
This type of stitch is what gives the edging or border of your piece a lovely ribbed appearance. It truly brings everything together in a way that makes the item look beautifully finished.
What Items Can I Crochet with bphdc?
This fabric can be used in place of half double crochet stitch in any pattern. It adds a pleasing texture to whatever you're making. Scarves, blankets, bags, sweaters, home décor, and so on are just some of the things that can be crocheted with this stitch.
What Is the Difference Between fphdc and bphdc?
The front or back post is what section of the stitch creates the body of the fabric. Front post stitches are made by inserting your hook from front to back to front. Back post stitches are made by inserting your hook from back to front to back. In appearance, they are almost identical, just with opposite wrong and right sides to the fabric.
Back Post Half Double Crochet - In Conclusion
I hope that these tutorials are helping you to go beyond the basics with confidence and begin exploring the amazing possibilities that new crochet methods have to offer. You can broaden your repertoire for popular styles as you learn to crochet front and back post half double crochet stitches, cables, lace, and so much more.
Back Post Half Double Crochet (bphdc) Tutorial
Tools
- Crochet Hook
Materials
- Yarn to match your hook size
Instructions
- Start with a foundation chain. (Try 14 stitches for a small trial swatch.) Chain 2. Work 1 row of half double crochet.
- Turn, chain 2. Work 1 hdc. Yarn over the hook. Insert hook through stitch post, from back to front and out the back again.
- Draw yarn through. (Hook with three loops)
- Yarn over hook. Pull the hook through all three loops. (1 loop on hook and your first bphdc is complete.)
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