Back Post Single Crochet (bpsc) Made Easy!

Learn how to do back post single crochet. Once you have mastered all the basic crochet stitches, the next step in your creative journey is to learn about “Post Stitches”. We have already discussed front post stitches. Equally useful are the back post stitches, and once you learn to use both front and back post stitches together, you can create wonderful textural designs in your crochet work.

Back Post Single Crochet Tutorial

Supplies for Back Post Single Crochet

• Yarn
• Crochet hook size suitable for that yarn.

Abbreviations for Back Post Single Crochet

All instructions for this stitch pattern are written in US terms. Read more about crochet glossary terms.

• bpsc = back post single crochet
• ch = chain stitch crochet
• sc = single crochet
• YO = yarn over
• st (s) = stitch (es)
• sl st = slip stitch crochet

What is Back Post Single Crochet

Single crochet stitches are short stitches that work together to make a thick fabric. It is worth learning how to do the back post single crochet if you want to add more texture.

Here is a refresher on how to do a regular single crochet:

The only difference between a normal stitch and a crochet post stitch is where you put the hook for the stitch. The post is part of the stitch that is tall and vertical and is what gives it its height.

In single crochet, there isn't a very tall post, so you have to be careful when you insert your crochet hook. In normal single crochet, you put your hook through the top loops of the stitch from the previous row. When working a bpsc, instead of working into the top loops, you will work around the short vertical post of that stitch.

My needle is placed in the position where you will insert your crochet hook. All you can see is the part of the needle in front of the post!

Here is the view from the wrong side of the fabric. You can see how the needle has gone through the back of the post.

The difference between front and back post crochet is that with back post, you insert the hook from the back to the front then out the back again. The post goes to the back of the hook, that is why it is called back post crochet.

For some reason, I personally find back post crochet more awkward than front post crochet, and I have to think about it each time instead of just being able to crochet it mindlessly! But that is probably just me! Front and back post stitches are very often used in combination.

Back Post Single Crochet (bpsc) Step By Step Instructions

To work a trial sample:

Foundation:

• Work about 14 foundation chains.
• In the second chain from the hook, work a single crochet (sc).
• Work sc across the row.
• Turn.

Row 1:

• Chain 1.
• *work 1 single crochet into the first stitch.
• Now insert the hook from back to front beneath the 2 loops of the next sc stitch. Then push the hook through to the back again.

• You can now yarn over and draw up a loop (2 loops on hook).

• Yarn over again and complete the first back post single crochet.

If you have already tried the front post single crochet, you will see that this is actually the same stitch, just back to front!

• Keep going until the last stitch of the row.
• Work a regular single crochet into the last stitch.

You will see that there is a ridge on the right side and a more textured look to your single crochet on the wrong side.

Row 2:

• Turn, chain 1, and work a row of regular single crochet. (You need this row to create the posts to work into for the next row.)

• Repeat from * until your work is the required length.

Back Post Single Crochet Increase

Crochet increases are typically made by working two stitches into the same  stitch. A back post increase is made by working one stitch onto the top of a stitch and one stitch around the post of the same stitch.

So, using the above-mentioned sample:

• Work bpsc until you need to increase.
• Work a normal sc into the upper loops of the next stitch.
• YO, make a loop.
• Finish like you would a typical sc.
• Now insert the hook from back to front and out the rear of the same stitches' post.
• Crochet your bpsc as usual.
• You have now worked 2 stitches into 1 stitch, increasing by one stitch.
• Repeat as needed for an increase.

Back Post Single Crochet Decrease

You will crochet 2 bpsc together to make a crochet decrease. Wherever you need to decrease along your row of single crochet, work it like this:

• Place hook into post.
• YO, bring the loop back through (2 loops).

• Do not finish the stitch!
• Push the hook through the next post, from back to front and back again.
• YO, bring the loop back through (3 loops on hook).

• Pull through all three loops (1 loop on hook).

• You have now reduced two stitches to one and decreased one stitch.
• Repeat whenever a decrease is required.

Back Post Single Crochet in the Round

If you work crochet circles conventionally, increasing as you go around, your circle will turn out exactly like a front post single crochet round, just with the wrong side now being the right side. If you do prefer to make your ridged round with bpsc, here are the instructions:

If you want to work bpsc in the round, you do it just as you would work normal single crochet in the round, but each time insert your hook into the post instead of into the top loops.

How to Bpsc in the Round

Round 1:

• Start with a magic crochet ring or chain 3, and join with a slip stitch.
• Chain 1, and work 11 sc into your central ring. (Work loosely to make those posts easier to find!)
• Join with a slip stitch.

Round 2:

• Chain 1 (counts as first sc).
• Make a bpsc around the beginning chain of the previous round.
• *Sc into top loops only of next bpsc.
• Then work bpsc around the post of the same stitch (you are increasing in each stitch).
• Repeat from * into every stitch of the round (24 sts, 12 sc, 12 bpsc).

Round 3:

• Chain 1 (counts as first sc).
• *Sc into the next stitch (this will be into the bpsc of the previous round).
• Make a bpsc into the same stitch.
• Sc in next stitch.
• Repeat from * 11 times, leaving out the last sc in the last repeat.
• Join to the top of the 3 chains with a slip stitch (36 sts, 24 sc, 12 bpsc).

More Rounds:

Continue in this way in rounds, working the bpsc in each previous bpsc and increasing the number of single crochets by one in between each bpsc.

• So round 4 will be 2sc, 1 increased bpsc all around,
• Round 5 will be 3 sc, 1 increased bpsc all around. And so on.
• Work until your circle is the required size. 

Back Post Single Crochet FAQs

What can I make with bpsc?

Bpsc is very often used in making amigurumi patterns, because if you just work it continuously in the round instead of increasing as you go along, it will curl up to form the cup shape needed for making these stuffed creatures, and it gives more stability than the normal single crochet.

You can use bpsc to make anything you would normally use single crochet for, to get a more textured look to your fabric. It looks like ribbing. Think about making blankets, sweaters, crochet face scrubbies and more! You will have ridges on the right side and a more lush, puffy look (than normal sc) on the wrong side of the work. You can turn it in whichever way you wish!

What Is The Difference Between fpsc and bpsc?

The difference lies in the way you insert your hook into the post of the stitch. If you are combining the two, you will get alternate ridges and troughs. If you work only one or the other, your fabric will look the same, only your right side and wrong side will differ.

Back Post Single Crochet - In Conclusion

The back post single crochet stitch is worth knowing because if you combine front post and back post stitches, you can create lovely textures and stitch patterns in your crochet work. They are most often used together! Whatever you are creating, I am so pleased you are reading our tutorials to learn more about this absorbing hobby!

More Back Post Articles

• Back Post Single Crochet (bpsc)
• Back Post Half Double Crochet (bphdc)
• Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)
• Back Post Treble Crochet (bptc)