Front Post Double Crochet
a raised, ribbed texture made by working around the post of a stitch instead of into its top
Front post double crochet is a double crochet worked around the vertical post of a stitch in the row below, instead of under the two loops at the top. Working around the front of the post pulls that stitch forward, which raises it above the surrounding fabric. Alternated with back post double crochet, it produces the ribbed look used in sweater cuffs, hems, and cable-style panels.
US "front post double crochet (FPdc)" corresponds to UK "front post treble crochet (FPtr)," following the same one-step shift as standard double crochet and treble crochet.
How to work it
- Yarn over, as you would for a standard double crochet.
- Insert your hook from front to back, then back to front again, around the post of the stitch in the row below (not into the top of the stitch). Your hook goes around the entire vertical post.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. 2 loops remain.
- Yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops. One front post double crochet is complete.
- Repeat as the pattern directs, usually alternating with back post double crochet to build a rib pattern.
When to use it
Use front post double crochet for ribbing at cuffs and hems, raised cable effects, and any project where you want texture that stands proud of the fabric instead of a flat surface. It's worked into the row below rather than the current row, so patterns using it need one full row of double crochet underneath to work into.