Inserting your hook in the top of stitches – a left-handed crochet tutorial

Three samples of double crochet, one worked through front loops, one through both loops and one through back loops

Working into the top of crochet stitches

In my last post, I wrote about how to insert the hook in the top of crochet stitches for crocheting right-handed. The following explanations and images are for those who crochet left-handed, that is, you hold your hook in your left hand.

Working into the top of stitches is one instance where it really does matter what you do. 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.

If you want to know where to insert the hook in the foundation chain, take a look at these posts for left-handed crocheters or right-handed crocheters.

One stitch, three fabrics

Take a look at these three fabrics. They have all be made using the same stitch, but look quite different.

Three samples of double crochet, one worked through front loops, one through both loops and one through back loops

So, how are they different? Each fabric has been made using double crochet but inserting the hook in a different way. Now you see why this matters!

Let’s start by describing the top of crochet stitches

Make a short chain and the first row of double crochet stitches.

Look at the top of the first row. The top of each stitch comprises two loops. You can see them as  “<” shapes along the top. We refer to the loops as the front loop and back loop. The front loop is the one nearest you, regardless of which side you are looking at. Likewise, the back loop is the one furthest from you. 

You are looking at the right side of the fabric if the  “<‘s” slope towards you …

Top of crochet stitches from right side

and the wrong side if the “<s” slope away from you …

Top of crochet stitches from wrong side

… so you have to tilt the fabric towards you to see them.

Top of crochet stitches from wrong side

The top of all the basic crochet stitches look like this (double crochet, half treble crochet, treble crochet, double treble crochet).

The standard way to insert the hook into the top of crochet stitches

I’m going to assume that we are working rows of double crochet. To work the second row you turn the fabric so you’re looking at the wrong side and make one chain (the turning chain).

Next, insert the hook under both loops of a stitch in the first row.

Insert hook under front loop of top of stitch

As you will be working from the wrong side, the “<‘s” slope away from you, so you’ll need to tilt the fabric towards you so you can see the top of the last row of stitches.

Insert hook under both loops of top of stitch

In the post about inserting the hook into the foundation chain, I said that most beginners find it tricky to do. If you are a beginner you’ll be much relieved that inserting your hook into the top of stitches is quite easy.

Here’s a sample of fabric made from double crochet stitches; it’s a dense, sturdy fabric. It’s often used for amigurumi, bags, and baskets.

Sample of double crochet worked through both loops

Crochet under the back loop

Now make another short chain and the first row of double crochet stitches.
Turn the fabric so you’re looking at the wrong side and make one chain (the turning chain).

Next, insert the hook under the back loop only of a stitch in the first row.

Insert hook under back loop of top of stitch

Again, you’ll need to tilt the fabric towards you so you can see the top of the last row of stitches.

Insert hook under back loop of top of stitch

You’ll probably find that inserting the hook under the back loop makes the loop feel too loose. Don’t worry, once you have made more stitches it will be fine.

Work a few rows inserting the hook under the back loop only. This fabric is thinner than working under both loops and has a visible horizontal line every two rows.

Sample of double crochet worked through back loops

Crochet under the front loop

Finally, make another short chain and the first row of double crochet stitches.

Turn the fabric so you’re looking at the wrong side and make one chain (the turning chain).

Next, insert the hook under the front loop only of a stitch in the first row.

Insert hook under front loop of top of stitch

If you tilt the fabric towards you, you’ll be able to check that you haven’t caught the back loop.

Insert hook under front loop of top of stitch

Again, you’ll probably find that the front loop feels too loose. Don’t worry, once you have made more stitches it will be fine.

Work a few rows inserting the hook under the front loop only.

Sample of double crochet worked through front loops

Do you see something magical happening to your fabric? It’s not flat, but concertinaed; I love the way this feels! This is one method of creating a mock rib in crochet.

Advice for beginners!

Crocheting into the top of stitches is far easier than crocheting into the foundation chain.

Don’t be a random crocheter! Since the three methods create quite different fabrics, mixing them up will create a fabric that looks random. Start with the standard method since that is used in most patterns.

Advice for everyone else!

There are three ways that you can insert the hook into the top of stitches. None are difficult: have a go at all of them. I love how such a simple variation in working crochet stitches creates fabrics that are so different.
Take a look at different crochet patterns to find examples of the different methods.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Donna Groff

    Thank you for showing the differences in the stitches. I do have a question though. You use a double crochet in this tutorial. Why is that? Again, thanks a bunch. Donna

    1. Being Knitterly

      Hi Donna, thank you for your question. I used double crochet for this tutorial because the stitches are smaller so there are more rows per cm. This makes it easier to see the effect of crocheting into both loops, the front loop or the back loop. You can do this with any crochet stitch.

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