Front post stitches – a left-handed crochet tutorial

Make front post stitch by Inserting hook behind post of stitch in previous row

What are front post stitches?

In June I’m teaching the How to Crochet Raised Stitches short course. I thought this would be a good time to write a tutorial explaining raised stitches for those of you who can’t join us in person. So, first up is the tutorial for left-handed crocheters about front post stitches (if you crochet right-handed take a look at this tutorial).

You may be wondering what raised stitches are, or you may have been asked to work a raised stitch in a pattern but been uncertain how to do so.

Crochet designers write patterns with the assumption that everyone inserts their hook into the top of crochet stitches in the same way. Therefore, if their design needs a different approach, then they will tell you in the pattern instructions. Raised stitches are one example of this. They are formed by inserting the hook between stitches instead of into the top of a stitch. And because you could insert your hook from front to back or back to front, there are two types of raised stitches, known as front or back post stitches. We’ll start with front post stitches.

Start with something familiar

Start by crocheting a row of about 15 treble crochet stitches (US: double crochet). Then work a turning chain (3 chain stitches) and a couple more treble crochet stitches. Your crochet should look similar to mine in the photo below. You can see the turning chain and the first two treble crochets of the second row, each stacked above a treble crochet stitch in the first row.

Step 1: Crochet sample with turning chain and first two treble crochet stitches of second row, each stacked above treble crochet stitch in first row

Where is the “post”?

The post of the stitch is the upright part of a stitch. You can see the post of a treble crochet stitch between my thumbs in the photo below.

Step 2: Crochet sample showing post of treble crochet stitch between thumbs

I’ve worked a turning chain and two treble crochet stitches on my second row. The next stitch I’m going to make will be a front post treble crochet. Instead of inserting my hook into the top of the fourth stitch in the row below, I’m going to work around its post.

Step 1b: Crochet sample with numbers showing first five treble crochet stitches in first row

I’ll insert my hook, in the gap between the third and fourth stitches, from front to back.

Step 1c: Crochet sample showing where to insert hook to start front post stitch

Then I’ll insert my hook, in the gap between the fourth and fifth stitches, from back to front.

Step 1d: Crochet sample showing where to insert hook to take it behind, then back in front of, post of treble crochet stitch in previous row

How to work a front post treble crochet

Start the front post treble crochet in the same way as a normal one, that is yarn round hook.

Step 3: Crochet sample showing yarn round hook ready to start a front post treble crochet stitch

Now, insert your hook, in between the third and fourth stitches, from front to back. This is going to look and feel a bit strange!

Step 4:Crochet sample showing hook inserted, from front to back, between third and fourth stitches in previous row

Then, move your hook forward and insert it in between the fourth and fifth stitches, from back to front. This will form a front post stitch because the post of the stitch is now in front of the hook. It looks a little strange, doesn’t it?

Step 5: Crochet sample showing hook inserted, from front to back, between third and fourth stitches, then from back to front, between fourth and fifth stitches in previous row

From now on you’ll be working your treble crochet as normal, however, it will feel a bit strange until you get the hang of it.

Grab the yarn with your hook.

Step 6: Crochet sample showing hook behind post of stitch in previous row and yarn round hook

Pull a loop under the post. This can be a little tricky; you may lose the yarn. Don’t worry, just go back, grab the yarn again, rotate the hook down a little, and try again. You’ll have three loops on your hook, which should look a bit more familiar.

Step 7: Crochet sample showing hook with two loops, one of which has just been pulled through from behind the post of stitch in previous row

Grab the yarn with your hook and …

Step 8: Crochet sample showing yarn round hook ready to pull through first two loops on hook

… pull it through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have two loops.

Step 9: Crochet sample showing hook with two loops

Grab the yarn with your hook again and …

Step 10: Crochet sample showing yarn round hook ready to pull through remaining two loops on hook

… pull it through the remaining two loops on your hook.

Step 11: Crochet sample showing completed front post treble crochet stitch

Now you have one loop and you have made your first front post treble crochet stitch.

Front post stitches are raised

Work a few normal treble crochet stitches and take a look at your crochet.

Step 12: Crochet sample showing how front post treble crochet stitches are raised above the surface of treble crochet stitches


You should be able to see that the front post treble crochet stitch is raised above the other treble crochet stitches.

Crochet sample showing how front post treble crochet stitches are raised above the surface of treble crochet stitches

Back post treble crochet

There is a second type of raised stitch: the back post stitch. If you would like to have a go at back post treble crochet stitches I’ll write a tutorial about the back post treble crochet another time. Meanwhile, you can have a go: insert your hook, in between the third and fourth stitches, from back to front, then, move your hook backwards and insert it in between the fourth and fifth stitches, from front to back. The post of the stitch is now behind the hook and the stitch is lower than the normal treble crochet stitches.

What can you do with post stitches?

Lots of stitch patterns use front and back post stitches in combination with normal stitches. Here’s some examples:

Basic stitches

You can use post stitches to make mock ribs as well as interesting textures such as the basketweave pattern below.

Sample of crochet basketweave stitch pattern

Cables

Post stitches are essential for crochet cables.

Sample of crochet plaited stitch pattern
How to crochet front post stitches: plaited cable

Lacy texture

There are lots of stitch patterns which combine post stitches and lace.

Sample of crochet lace and texture stitch pattern
How to crochet front post stitches: lace and texture

There are so many beautiful stitch patterns that use post stitches. You’ll have fun trying them out!