How to Crochet the Front Post Double Crochet Stitch
If you’re ready to venture out of your comfort zone of chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches. And you’re ready to try new designs that have more texture to them, or maybe you’re ready to try your hook at cables. Then the front post double crochet is the next crochet stitch you need to learn and add to your “crochet toolbox”.
The front post double crochet is the most commonly used post stitch out there and (in my opinion) it’s the one you should learn first. Once you have mastered the front post double crochet, all of the other crochet post stitches will be a piece of cake!
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Let’s begin with a few stitch abbreviations and the written instructions to work a front post double crochet! You can also scroll down the page to find the crochet video tutorial.
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- dc: double crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- fpdc: front post double crochet
- yo: yarn over
- st(s): stitch(es)
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yo, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops on your hook, yo, pull thru remaining two loops on your hook.
Video Tutorial: Scroll Down
Learn to Crochet the Front Post Double Crochet Stitch
Photo Above: With your hook, ch 14, working into the back humps of the foundation chain, dc into the 3rd ch from your hook, dc in each ch across. (12 dc)
Photo Above: Ch 1, turn, hdc into the same st as the ch 1… Now, see the pink arrow? It’s pointing to the “post” of the next stitch. Instead of being worked into the top loops of a stitch like the double crochet, the fpdc is worked around the vertical “post” of the stitch.
Photo Above: Yo, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next st, yo…
Photo Above: Pull up a loop, yo…
Photo Above: Pull thru the first 2 loops on your hook, yo…
Photo Above: Pull thru the remaining 2 loops on your hook. 1 fpdc complete!
Photo Above: Now practice by working a fpdc around the post of the next 9 sts, then end with a hdc in the last st. *Remember, if you need to see it in action, simply scroll down and click to watch the quick video tutorial.
After you’ve mastered this crochet stitch, click HERE to learn how to crochet the front post double crochet decrease (fpdc2tog).
Are you intimidated by crocheted cables? Would you love to learn? Take an Annies Video Class with me and let me ease your fears of crocheted cables! Click on the photo below to watch a free preview. You can also see the other 2 classes I have available! (affiliate link)
I must be tired, because I was quickly scanning the tutorial, & when I saw YO for yarn over, all I could think of was the expression “yo”, as in, Yo, dude! LOL!
LOL
I did that, too! But I’m a novice at crochet. LOL!
When working on the second and third row of fpfc, are we going into the top post again, or still working in that same post from the first round? I have seen many tutorials showing the first round of fpdc, but cant figure out where to out the stitch for the 2nd or consecutive rounds.
Hi Natalie,
I’m going to answer that “typically” you’ll continue working around the post of the stitch from the previous row, BUT that being said, it will depend upon the pattern you’re working and what the design is.
I have a video tutorial that helps with post stitch placement in rows and rounds here: https://www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/proper-post-stitch-placement-working-rows-rounds/
Please let me know if this helps or if you have another specific question.
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I am working on your Aelia Cable Crochet Sweater and am having a lot of trouble identifying which post to work around for the cable pattern since it says to work 2 rows below. I cannot seem to identify the correct place as whatever I do does not seem to appear the way it does in the photo. The cable sections look either disjointed or overlap too much. If you can provide photos or a video showing exactly how to work those fpdc stitches for the front panel, that would be great. Many thanks.
Hi Kathryn,
I have a video tutorial that addresses this exact question. The video shows both working in rows and in rounds. Here’s a link: https://www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/proper-post-stitch-placement-working-rows-rounds/
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jennifer
Hi again!
I did see your video. However, it would be helpful if you would identify where the post is 2 rows below for the Aelia cable sweater which is using single crochet. Might you have a photo? Thanks,
Kathryn