How to Crochet Back Post Single Crochet (BPSC)

Back post single crochet, often abbreviated as bpsc, creates raised textured ridges by working around the back of the stitch post instead of through the top loops. This crochet technique is commonly used for ribbing, textured stitch patterns, amigurumi, blankets, and crochet projects needing extra structure. Although back post single crochet may feel awkward at first, it uses the same basic movement as single crochet with a different hook placement. This tutorial will show you how to crochet back post single crochet step-by-step.

What is Back Post Single Crochet?

Single crochet stitches are short stitches that work together to make a thick fabric. This creates raised ridges and textured crochet fabric often used for ribbing and decorative stitch patterns. It is worth learning how to do the back post single crochet if you want to add more texture.

Learn more textured crochet techniques in the complete crochet stitches guide.

Back post single crochet creates raised horizontal ridges and a textured, ribbed fabric. When combined with front post stitches, bpsc creates stretchy textured crochet patterns often used for cuffs, hats, sweaters, and blankets.

How to Back Post Single Crochet (bpsc) (Step By Step)

1. Row 1 Regular Single Crochet

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

2. Row 2 First BPSC

1. Chain 1.. *work 1 single crochet into the first stitch.
2. 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.

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

5. 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!

3. Continue Row 2

6. Keep going until the last stitch of the row.
7. 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.

4. Row 3 Regular Single Crochet

1. 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.)

5. Repeat BPSC Pattern

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

Regular Vs Back Post Single Crochet

The only difference between a normal stitch and a crochet post stitch is where you put the hook for the stitch. 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 for back post single crochet. 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.

Back Post Single Crochet Techniques

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.

1. Work a regular single crochet into the stitch
2. Work a back post single crochet around the same stitch post
3. This creates two stitches from one stitch.

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:

1. Insert the hook around the first stitch post
2. Insert the hook around the second stitch post
3. Yarn over and pull through all loops
4. This joins two stitches together.

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 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.

Back Post Single Crochet Projects

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!

BPSC Crochet FAQs

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Back Post Single Crochet – In Conclusion

Back post single crochet creates textured ridged crochet fabric using simple single crochet stitches worked around the stitch post. Although the hook placement may feel unusual at first, the technique quickly becomes easier with practice. When combined with front post stitches, bpsc can create beautiful crochet ribbing and textured stitch patterns for blankets, garments, hats, and many other crochet projects.

Related Articles

• Front Post Single Crochet (fpsc)
• Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc)
• Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
• Front Post Treble Crochet (fptc)
• Back Post Half Double Crochet (bphdc)
• Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)
• Back Post Treble Crochet (bptc)