Crochet Around the Posts of Stitches

Crocheting around the posts of crochet stitches is a way to add texture to your crochet fabric. There are 2 ways to crochet around the crochet stitch: from the front to the back and from the back to the front.

Crocheting around the posts of stitches is the way ribbing is worked in crochet fabric. To work ribbing, just alternate working one stitch from front to back and the next from back to front.

You can crochet around the posts of any crochet stitch, although the longer the stitch the easier it will be to crochet around the stitch post. The photos below demonstrate crocheting around the posts of double crochet stitches using double crochet stitches.

	Anatomy of a Crochet Stitch: Pictured to the left is a crochet fabric made of 2 rows of double crochet stitches. Following are some definitions of the parts of a crochet stitch: Post: The post of the stitch is the main vertical portion of the stitch. Front/Back Loop: The upper part of the stitch is defined by 2 loops. The front loop is the loop that is closest, the back loop is the one that is farthest from you. Top of the Stitch: This is the space just underneath the front and back loops and above the 3rd horizontal thread of the stitch. Unless instructions direct otherwise, this is the spot where the hook should be inserted to create a crochet stitch. Between Stitches: Underneath all horizontal threads of the stitch and between the posts of the crochet stitches is the spot where you should insert your hook if directed to work between crochet stitches.
	Crochet around the Post from Front to Back Step 1: When starting the stitch, insert the hook from front to back and back to the front around the post of the indicated crochet stitch. Work between stitches under all horizontal threads of the stitch.
	Crochet around the Post from Front to Back Step 2: Complete the stitch (double crochet pictured). The completed stitch will be raised in front of the rest of the work.
	Crochet around the Post from Back to Front Step 1: To crochet from back to front, insert the hook from the back of the fabric around the front of the post of the stitch and to the back of the fabric again. Work in between the stitches underneath all the horizontal threads of the stitch. Complete the stitch as usual.
	Pictured to left are both types of stitches around the post of a stitch. When working from back to front around a post, the stitch stays below the surface of the rest of the work. When working from front to back, the stitch is raised above the surface of the work.