How to Back Post Double Crochet

The back post double crochet stitch is a variation of the double crochet stitch that is often used for ribbing. The stitch is worked around the post of the stitch below. This creates a ridge or rib in the fabric. When worked alternating with front post double crochet stitches, the stitch combination creates a deep ribbing in the fabric.

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The stitch can also be used for design effects when a ribbed effect is desired.

Back Post Double Crochet Abbreviations and Symbols

The back post double crochet is a fairly standard stitch. It is included on the Craft Yarn Council’s website which maintains a list of standard abbreviations and symbols for a number of crochet stitches.

Consequently, there is not too much variation in how the stitch appears in patterns. It is always useful to consult the pattern to see if it has a guide to the stitch abbreviations it uses. Some of the common ways in which the back post double crochet stitch is abbreviated include:

• BPdc
• bpdc

And, if there is a chart, it is useful to see what symbol is used for the stitch. The standard symbol for back post double crochet is a double crochet symbol with a half loop at the bottom that looks a bit like a “C”.

Step by Step Tutorial for the Back Post Double Crochet

The written instructions for the back post double crochet are: yarn over, insert hook around post of next stitch from back to front and from right to left, bring hook back to the back of the fabric, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops remain on hook), yarn over and draw through two loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Below is an illustration of how to make a back post double crochet step by step. In this illustration, the the back post double crochet stitch is being made after a few rows of regular double crochet.

STEP ONE

Prepare to make a back post double crochet.

STEP TWO

Yarn over.

STEP THREE

Insert hook around post of next stitch from back to front and from right to left.

STEP FOUR

Bring hook back to the back of the fabric.

STEP FIVE

A view from above of the back of the fabric after the hook is inserted around the post from back to front and to the back again.

STEP SIX

Yarn over.

STEP SEVEN

Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops remain on hook).

STEP EIGHT

Yarn over and draw through two loops on hook (2 loops remain on hook).

STEP NINE

Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. Stitch completed.

STEP TEN

View of row after several more back post double crochet stitches are made alternating with regular double crochet stitches.

What effects can you make with back post double crochet stitches?

Perhaps the most common use of the back post double crochet stitch is combined with front post double crochet stitches to make ribbing. It can also be used as a design element in textured fabrics. The fabric created does not lie flat. It is textured, often highly textured.

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Patterns that Use Back Post Double Crochet

If are interested in exploring the back post double crochet stitch, you might like these patterns that use the stitch.