Front Post Single Crochet FPSC for Beginners

Learn how to do front post single crochet! Picture this: You have just found the most adorable crochet pattern online, and it is exactly what you want to make for yourself. You have printed it out and bought the yarn and the correct size crochet hook, and then you sit down to get started and find that you need to work “Front Post Single Crochet” to create the rib! Oh no! What to do now? You know how to work all the basic crochet stitches, and increase or decrease, but have never before encountered this stitch! Well, here you go; just so this never happens to you, this is a tutorial on how to do front post single crochet!

What is Front Post Single Crochet?

Front post single crochet (fpsc) is a crochet stitch worked around the vertical post of the stitch instead of through the top loops. The hook is inserted around the front of the stitch post, pushing the stitch forward and creating raised ridges. Because single crochet stitches have short posts, the hook is inserted carefully beneath the stitch loops and around the stitch post to create the textured effect.

Explore the full library of beginner and intermediate crochet stitch types.

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. Of course, with single crochet, there isn’t a very tall post at all, so you need to insert your crochet hook with care!

How to Do Front Post Single Crochet (Step by Step)

1. Single Crochet Foundation Row

• Work 14 foundation chains (or your desired length).In the second chain from the hook, work a single crochet.
• Work single crochet stitches across the row. Turn.

2. Begin Front Post Row

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

3. Insert Hook Around Post

• Now insert the hook from back to front beneath the 2 loops of the next single crochet stitch.

❤️BEGINNER TIP: When working a normal single crochet, you insert your hook through the top loops of the stitch from the previous row. When working fpsc, instead of working into those top loops, you will be working around the (very short) vertical post of that stitch.

The crochet hook is inserted behind the post, so the post is in front of the hook, hence the name “front post”.

4. Complete FPSC

• Yarn over and draw up a loop.

• Yarn over and pull through the 2 stitches to complete the front post single crochet.

5. Repeat Pattern Rows

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

• Turn, and chain. Work a row of ordinary single crochet stitches.
• Repeat a row of FPSC from * above
• Alternate single crochet and fpsc until your work is the required length.

You will see that this creates a ridge at the wrong side of your work, which adds a lot of texture to whatever you are making.

Front Post Single Crochet Basics

Increase Front Post Single Crochet

Usually, increases are created by working two stitches into the same existing stitch. In order to create a front post increase, you will need to work one stitch into the top of a stitch, as well as one stitch around the post of the same stitch.

Decrease Front Post Single Crochet

Decreases are created by partially completing two front post stitches and joining them together at the top. Read how to single crochet 2 together. The only difference is where you will insert the hook.

What can I Make With FPSC?

This stitch is really useful for making amigurumi with extra texture. Just work your amigurumi pattern as normal, but substitute fpsc for the basic single crochet stitches. You can then use the ridges on the “wrong” side as the outside of your creature, or you can use the right side with more bumps to give the illusion of a furry creature.

This stitch also works well to create crochet ribbing, discloths, potholders and textured blankets.

Troubleshooting

If you find your work is looking too tight, or bunching up too much, try working a fpdc instead of each fpsc suggested. That will give your post stitches extra height to prevent any bunching.

Front Post Single Crochet Troubleshooting

Here are some common fpsc problems and how to fix them.

Problem	Cause	Solution
Fabric bunching	Post stitches too short	Use taller post stitches
Uneven ridges	Inconsistent tension	Pull loops evenly
Difficult stitch placement	Short stitch posts	Work slowly and identify posts carefully

When to Use Front Post Single Crochet

Anything that can be made from a pattern that requires single crochet can be adapted to work with front post single crochet. It will develop more texture and be a thicker fabric, so things like pot holders or dishcloths are perfect for this stitch.

Just keep in mind that you may have to crochet a few more rows of fpsc, as the fabric does get pulled up a little bit by those post stitches!

Front Post Single Crochet vs Single Crochet

Although both stitches use the same basic crochet motion, front post single crochet creates much more texture than regular single crochet.

Single Crochet	Front Post Single Crochet
Worked through top loops	Worked around stitch post
Smooth fabric	Raised textured ridges
Flat appearance	Ribbed appearance
Standard crochet fabric	Thick textured fabric

Pin for Later

Front Post Single Crochet – In Conclusion

Front post single crochet is a textured crochet stitch that creates raised ridges by working around the stitch posts instead of through the top loops. Although the stitch may feel unusual initially, it quickly becomes easier once you learn where to insert the hook. Because fpsc creates thick textured crochet fabric, it is ideal for ribbing, dishcloths, amigurumi, blankets, and decorative crochet projects.

• Single Crochet 2 Together
• How to Crochet for Beginners
• Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc)
• Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
• Front Post Treble Crochet Stitches (fptc)
• Back Post Single Crochet (bpsc)
• Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc)