Front post half double crochet (fphdc) is a helpful stitch to have on hand. From front post single crochet to front post double treble crochet, front post stitches can be employed in a variety of crocheting applications and projects. Beginners and experienced crocheters alike can learn the fphdc crochet to add unique texture and style to an assortment of crocheting projects.

Front Post Half Double Crochet Tutorial

The hdc crochet acronym stands for half double crochet, which is, of course, the basis for fphdc. It can be used to make a number of basic crochet stitches. This tutorial will show you how to pick up and work around the front post in half double crochet.

Supplies

Yarn and a crochet hook suitable for that yarn.
It will be useful to have scissors and a yarn needle nearby too!

Abbreviations

All instructions are in US terms. Read more crochet terminology.

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

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 FPHDC

This stitch is rated confident beginner. If you can do the half double crochet, then processing to the front post version is just a small step forward.

What is Front Post Half Double Crochet?

Working around the front of a post crochet stitch from the row before gives the crochet fabric an interesting raised ridge.

Crochet front post is done by inserting the hook from the front and going around the post of the crochet stitch from the previous row. 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, double, and treble crochet as well.

Half Double Crochet Refresher

For those of you who haven’t worked half double crochet (hdc) for a while, here is a brief refresher on how to work it:

Start with your foundation chain.
Yarn over the hook (yo) and insert the hook into the third chain from the hook.
Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the chain stitch, carrying the wrapped yarn through the stitch. Your hook should have 3 loops.
Yarn over the hook and pull it through all three loops on the hook. Only 1 loop left on the hook.
Move on to the foundation chain's next chain. In each subsequent chain across the foundation chain, work one hdc stitch, to complete the first row..

How to Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc) Step By Step

Here are the written instructions for fphdc:

Foundation:

Start with a foundation chain of 14 stitches (or your desired length) for a small trial swatch.

Row 1:

Chain 2 (for turning chain).
Work 1 row of regular half double crochet.

Row 2:

Turn, chain 2.
Work 1 regular half double crochet.
Yarn over hook.
Insert hook through the stitch post. (The hook must be horizontal with the stitch post in front of it.)

Draw yarn through (3 loops on the hook).

Yarn over the hook.
Pull the hook through all three loops (1 loop on hook).

Your first front post half double crochet (fphdc) is now complete.

Continue along the row to complete a whole row of fphdc.
Work a regular half double crochet into the final stitch of the row.

Row 3:

Turn, chain 2.
Work ordinary half double crochets along the next row.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have a swatch the required length. On the wrong side, you will see raised ridges that give a textured appearance.

Front Post Half Double Crochet Increase

Traditional 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 hdc, where you need to increase, you work it like this:

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

Now insert your hook around the post of that same stitch, and work your front post half double crochet stitch.

You have now worked 2 stitches into one, so have increased by one stitch. Repeat as needed for as many stitches as you need to increase. When you are working on the next row, be sure to work into both of these stitches.

Decreasing with Front Post Half Double Crochet

To decrease, you will be working 2 together:

Work along your row of hdc, where you need to decrease.
Yarn over, and insert hook through the post of the next stitch.

Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 stitches on hook) - Do not complete the stitch.

Yarn over, insert hook into front post of next stitch.
Yarn over, pull up a loop (5 stitches on hook).

Yarn over, and 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 ned to decrease.

How to Front Post Half Double Crochet In The Round

Foundation:

Start with a crochet magic ring or chain 3, and slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1:

Chain 2 (counts as first hdc),
work 11 hdc into the ring. (Work fairly loosely, because the hdc doesn’t have a very tall post!)
Join with a slip stitch.

Front Post Half Double Crochet in the Round

Round 2:

Chain 2 (counts as first hdc).
Make a fphdc around the beginning chain of the previous round.
*Hdc into top loops only of next fphdc.
Then work fphdc around the post of the same stitch (you are increasing in each stitch).
Repeat from * into every stitch of the round (24 sts, 12 hdc, 12 fphdc).

Round 3:

Chain 2 (counts as first hdc).
*Hdc into the top of the next stitch (this will be into the fphdc of the previous round).
Make a fphdc into the same stitch.
Hdc in the next stitch.
Repeat from * 11 times, leaving out last hdc in last repeat.
Join to the top of the 2 chains with a slip stitch (36 sts, 24 hdc, 12 fphdc).

Continue in this way in rounds, working the fphdc in each previous fphdc and increasing the number of hdc by one in between each one.

So round 4 will be 2hdc, 1 increased fphdc all around,
Round 5 will be 3 hdc, 1 increased fphdc all around. And so on.

Work until your circle is the required size.

Front Post Half Double Crochet FAQs

Can I make anything with fphdc?

You can substitute this fabric for any pattern that calls for a half double crochet stitch. It will give your craft a nice textured touch. It may be used to create everything that can be crocheted, such as scarves, blankets, bags, sweaters, home décor, and so on. It will give you a firmer fabric than a front post double crochet, because the height of the stitches is smaller, so there are fewer gaps between stitches.

What can go wrong with fphdc crochet stitch?

Once you have the technique of front post stitches down pat, very little can go wrong. You may on occasion, forget the insert the hook into the post, but you will soon pick up the different look of the stitch. The other problem you may have is forgetting to work a row of ordinary hdc in between your front post rows. You will pick this up when you struggle to find a post to insert your hook into!

Front Post Half Double Crochet - In Conclusion

Although the front post half double crochet stitch is less popular than other post stitches, it is still useful to master. It's a simple stitch to learn, especially if you've already mastered the other post stitch equivalents. This post stitch creates beautiful textures. So, what are you holding out for? Start practicing all of the methods in this post with your favorite hook and yarn! You'll be a front post half double crochet pro in no time at all!