Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc), Easy For Beginners

Front post double crochet is a wonderful stitch to give texture in your crochet work. I remember feeling totally secure in my knowledge of the basic crochet stitches but the minute the pattern mentioned any form of “post stitch” I refused to even consider it! How silly I was! The front post double crochet is really not at all difficult once you know how to do basic double crochet and it means you can create lovely textural designs and even learn to work crochet cables.

What is Front Post Double Crochet

Front post double crochet (FPDC) is a crochet post stitch worked around the vertical post of a stitch instead of through the top loops. This pushes the stitch forward and creates raised ridges that add texture, depth, and definition to crochet fabric. FPDC is commonly used in basket weave stitch, waffle stitch, alpine stitch, crochet cables, ribbing, blankets, and garments. Because the stitch stands out from the surrounding fabric, it is ideal for creating textured crochet patterns and decorative designs.

USA vs UK TERMS – Just as a matter of interest, in the UK, this stitch is called Raised Treble Crochet. So if you have a pattern that originates in the UK, and it asks you to work raised treble crochet stitches, this is the stitch you need to work!

Where is the Front Post in Double Crochet?

If you look at the picture below, you will see my needle inserted into the post of the stitch. It is the tall, vertical part of the stitch that gives the stitch its height. When working a normal double crochet, you insert your hook through the top of the stitch from the previous row. When working fpdc, instead of working into those top loops, you will be working around the vertical post of that stitch.

Front Post Double Crochet Stitches (Step by Step)

Since the front post double crochet is the crochet post stitch that is used the most frequently, it makes perfect sense to start by learning how to create that stitch. When you have learned the fpdc, you will find that all of the other post stitches are quite simple to do.

Here are the written instructions with photos:

1. First Regular Double Crochet Row

1. For a practice sample, work 14 chains or your desired number of stitches (foundation chain).
2. Now dc into 3^rd chain from the hook.
3. Next dc in each chain across to the end of the row. (12dc)

This gives you a regular row of double crochet.

2. First Front Post DC Stitch

1. Chain 1, and turn,
2. Hdc into same stitch as the chain 1. (The reason for having a hdc as your first and last stitch is because post stitches are shorter stitches than normal dc stitches.)
3. Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front again around the post of the next stitch.

The front of your hook will be positioned horizontally behind the dc you are working into. The post is in front of the hook, hence the name front post double crochet.

4. Yarn over, pull up a loop. (You now have 3 loops on the hook.)

5. YO, pull through the first 2 loops. (2 loops on hook.)
6. YO, pull through the remaining 2 loops on the hook. (1 loop on hook.)

Your first stitch of fpdc is complete!

3. Rest of First Row

10. Keep crocheting along the row, working a fpdc around the post of the next 9 stitches.
11. Work an ordinary hdc into the last stitch. (This will be the back of the work.)

4. Repeat the Front Post Double Crochet Pattern

It is advisable to work a row of ordinary double crochet in between each row of double crochet post stitches, as this makes it possible to insert through the post again in the next row. See how ribs have formed at the top of the work when fpdc and dc rows are alternated.

Front Post Double Crochet Techniques

Once you how how to do the front post dc stitch, you can start playing around with your crochet patterns. Here is how to increase, decrease and crochet fpdc in the round.

Front Post Double Crochet Increase

Regular increases vs. front-post increases: Traditional crochet increases are made by working two stitches together in the same stitch. To make a front post increase, crochet one stitch into the top of a stitch and one stitch around the post of the same stitch. You will most often have to increase fpdc when working in the round, as when working in the round you need to increase many stitches in each round.

Front Post Double Crochet Decrease

To decrease, you will be working stitches together in the same method of double crochet 2 together. The only difference is that you will place the hook through the post and not through the top loops.

What Is FPDC Used For?

Front post double crochet is a widely used stitch for:

• basket weave stitch
• waffle stitch
• alpine stitch
• crochet cables
• blankets
• garments
• baskets

Front Post Double Crochet Troubleshooting

Here is a table outlining common front post double crochet problems and how to fix them.

Problem	Cause	Solution
Can’t find stitch post	Looking at top loops	Locate vertical post first
Uneven ridges	Inconsistent tension	Pull loops evenly
Fabric puckers	Tight post stitches	Relax tension
Missed texture	Hook inserted incorrectly	Work fully around post
Uneven edges	Missed edge stitches	Count stitches carefully

Front Post Double Crochet vs Back Post Double Crochet

Front post and back post double crochet are worked around the stitch post, but they create opposite textured effects.

Front Post Double Crochet	Back Post Double Crochet
Ridge appears on front	Ridge appears on back
Raised texture	Recessed texture
Common in decorative stitches	Common in ribbing
Used in cables and waffle stitch	Used in cuffs and borders

Front Post Double Crochet FAQs

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In Conclusion

Front post double crochet is one of the most useful crochet post stitches because it creates a bold texture with a simple adjustment to standard double crochet. By working around the stitch post instead of through the top loops, you can create raised ridges, crochet cables, waffle stitch, basket weave stitch, and many other textured patterns. Once you master FPDC, you’ll be able to use it in blankets, garments, baskets, and decorative crochet projects to add depth and visual interest.

More Front and Back Post Articles

• Front Post Single Crochet Stitch
• Front Post Half Double Crochet
• Front Post Treble Crochet Stitch
• Back Post Double Crochet Stitch
• Back Post Single Crochet Stitch
• Back Post Half Double Crochet
• Back Post Treble Crochet
• Crochet Post Stitches