Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) For Beginners

Front post double crochet is a wonderful stitch to give you 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.

Front Post Double Crochet Tutorial

This front post double crochet tutorial will show you how to do the basic stitch as well as increase and decrease. It will also cover fpdc in the round which gives beautiful textured radiating ridges.

Supplies for Front Post Stitches

• Yarn - For a sample, try using a worsted weight yarn.
• Crochet hook size suitable for that yarn. (Check the yarn label)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle for threading in the ends. 

Skill Level for Fpdc Stitches

This stitch is considered a confident or advanced beginner stitch.

Stitch Abbreviations for Front Post Double Crochet

All instructions are written in American crochet terms. Here are the stitch abbreviations:

• fpdc = front post double crochet
• ch = chain stitch crochet
• dc = double crochet stitch
• hdc- half double crochet
• YO = yarn over
• st (s) = stitch (es)
• sl st = slip stitch crochet

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!

What is the Front Post in 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.

How to Do Front Post Double Crochet Stitches (fpdc) 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:

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

This gives you a regular row of double crochet.

• Chain 1, and turn,
• 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.)
• 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.

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

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

Your first stitch of fpdc is complete!

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

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 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.

So working along your row of dc, where you need to increase, you work it like this:

• Insert your hook into the top of the dc stitch in the previous row, just as you would work a normal dc.

• Now insert your hook around the post of that same stitch, and work your fpdc.

• You have worked 2 stitches into one, so have increased one stitch.
• When you are working on the next row, be sure to work into both of these stitches.

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 in the Round

Foundation:

• Start with a magic ring or ch3, slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1:

• Ch3 (counts as first dc). Make 11 dc into the ring, join to the top of your beginning chain with a slip stitch. (12 stitches)

Round 2:

• Ch3, (counts as first dc)
• Make a fpdc around the beginning chain of the previous round.
• *Dc into top loops only of next fpdc.
• Then work fpdc around the post of the same stitch.
• Repeat from * into every stitch of the round. (24 sts, 12 dc, 12 fpdc)

Round 3:

• Ch3, (counts as first dc)
• *Dc into next stitch. (This will be into the fpdc of the previous round)
• Make a fpdc into the same stitch.
• Dc in next stitch.
• Repeat from * 11 times, leaving out the last dc in the last repeat.
• Join to the top of the 3 chains with a slip stitch. (36 sts, 24 dc, 12 fpdc)

• Continue in this way in rounds, working the fpdc in each previous fpdc and increasing the number of dc by one in between each fpdc. (So round 4 will be 2dc, 1 increased fpdc all around, round 5 will be 3 dc 1 increased fpdc all around, and so on.)
•  Work until your circle is the required size. 

I must say, I think this is my favorite application of this stitch. Those neat ridges all around the circle are so satisfying!

Front Post Double Crochet DECREASE

To decrease, you will be working 2 front post double crochet stitches together.

Working along your row of dc, where you need to decrease, you work it like this.

• YO, insert the hook under the post.
• YO, bring the loop back through. (3 loops on hook)

• YO, pull through the first 2 loops. (2 loops)

• Move to next stitch.
• YO insert hook under next post.
• YO, bring loop through. (4 loops on hook)

• YO, draw it through the first 2 loops. (3 loops on hook)

• YO, pull it through all 3 loops left on the hook. You have now made two stitches into one.

Front Post Double Crochet FAQs

What Can I Make With fpdc?

You can use this “fabric” as a replacement in any pattern which asks for a double crochet stitch. It will give you a lovely textured finish to your project. So it can actually be used to make anything that you can crochet, such as scarves, blankets, bags, sweaters, home décor, and so on.

Once you get the hang of fpdc, you can use it to make a whole variety of different stitches, and substitute those stitches in any project. Just be sure to work a tension swatch, as changing the stitch may change the tension.

The crochet basket weave stitch uses both front post and back post stitches in double crochet.

Which Stitches Use fpdc?

These 3 stitches commonly use front post double crochet stitches:

1. Waffle Stitch
2. Raised Crochet V-Stitch
3. Alpine Stitch

What is the difference between front post and back post double crochet?

The difference between fpdc and bpdc is where the hook is inserted into the stitch post. In front post stitches, the hook is inserted through the front. In back post stitches, the hook is inserted from the back.

Front Post Double Crochet - In Conclusion

So if you have been following along and crocheting small samples, you will have discovered that front post double crochet stitches are a lot easier than you thought they would be!

Because of the look of these stitches, they seem like advanced stitches, but there is nothing difficult about them once you have the idea of working through the post of the stitch. Enjoy being creative with your basic crochet patterns and creating a whole new look for whatever item you plan to crochet!

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• Front Post Half Double Crochet
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• Back Post Treble Crochet
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