How To Back Post Double Crochet: A Masterclass In Texture And Stitch Definition
The back post double crochet, frequently abbreviated as BPDC in standard crochet notation, is a foundational post stitch technique that creates deep horizontal ridges and a woven, three-dimensional fabric texture. By wrapping the yarn around the back of the post of the stitch from the previous row, crocheters can achieve a structured, elastic surface ideal for ribbed edgings, cables, and architectural garments.
Prerequisites for Technical Execution
To achieve professional-grade results with the back post double crochet, you must master the fundamental double crochet (DC) stitch. This technique requires an understanding of how stitches are anchored into the fabric body versus how they interact with the vertical "post" or "stem" of the stitch beneath them.
- Essential Gear and Materials
- Yarn: Select a smooth, plied yarn with medium twist; high-twist wool or acrylic blends provide the best stitch definition.
- Crochet Hook: Use the hook size recommended on your yarn label, or size down by 0.5mm if you require a tighter, denser gauge for structured garments.
- Scissors: Any sharp fabric or craft scissors for clean ends.
- Tapestry Needle: Necessary for weaving in ends with minimal disruption to the post stitch architecture.
- Prerequisite Skills: You must be proficient in working standard double crochet rows and turning your work cleanly to maintain edge uniformity.
- Duration: A 4-inch by 4-inch swatch typically requires 15 to 20 minutes for an intermediate crocheter.
Procedural Workflow for Back Post Double Crochet
Executing a back post double crochet requires a shift in how you visualize the crochet fabric. Instead of inserting your hook into the top loops (V-shaped chains), you navigate around the vertical bar of the stitch directly below.
Step 1: Initiating the Yarn Over and Positioning
Start by working a base row of standard double crochet stitches. Turn your work as you would for any standard row. Begin the next row by chaining two or three, depending on your personal tension preference for the turning chain. Yarn over your hook exactly as you would for a traditional double crochet.
Step 2: Engaging the Post from the Rear
With the yarn over your hook, bring the hook toward the back of the work. Insert the hook from the back to the front around the post of the corresponding stitch from the previous row. Specifically, push your hook through the fabric space to the right of the intended stitch, move behind the vertical post, and push the hook back out through the fabric space to the left of that same post.
Pro-Tip: Keep the working fabric taut. By holding the fabric slightly curved toward you, the vertical post will protrude, making it significantly easier to navigate your hook behind the stem without splitting the yarn fibers.
Step 3: Completing the Stitch
Once the hook is positioned behind the post, yarn over again and draw the yarn back through the space you just navigated. You will now have three loops on your hook. From this position, complete the stitch exactly like a standard double crochet: yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over again, and pull through the final two loops.
Warning: Do not pull the loop too tightly when drawing it through the back. Since post stitches create a textured surface, excessive tension will cause the fabric to buckle or pull inward, leading to uneven vertical alignment.
Step 4: Maintaining Consistent Tension and Sequence
Repeat the previous steps across the row. If you are working a ribbing pattern, you may alternate these with front post double crochets (FPDC). If you are creating a purely textural design, continue the BPDC in every stitch across the row. Ensure that you do not skip the "turning chain" space, as this is a common point of failure that leads to a decrease in stitch count over time.
How to Work a Front Post or Back Post Double Crochet Stitch, Crochet ...
Comparative Analysis of Post Stitch Variations
Understanding the nuances between various post-based stitches allows for greater design versatility. The following table outlines the technical distinctions between standard and post-based maneuvers.
| Stitch Type | Insertion Point | Visual Result | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Crochet (DC) | Top V-loops | Flat, smooth surface | General garment body |
| Front Post DC (FPDC) | Around post from front | Raised ridge, pushed forward | Cable accents, cabling |
| Back Post DC (BPDC) | Around post from back | Recessed ridge, pushed backward | Ribbing, structural shaping |
| Extended DC | Base of post/top loops | Increased height, looser drape | Lightweight, open-work lace |
Resolving Common Execution Failures
Even experienced crocheters encounter issues when manipulating the geometry of the fabric. Address these common failures to maintain your project's integrity.
- Incorrect Stitch Alignment
- Root Cause: Inserting the hook into the V-loops rather than the vertical stem.
- Actionable Fix: Observe the fabric from the side. You should see the horizontal bar of the previous stitch clearly isolated. If you are grabbing the "V" at the top, you are working a standard DC. Identify the vertical stem beneath that "V" and re-insert.
- Fabric Puckering or Excessive Tightness
- Root Cause: High tension during the "pull-through" phase of the post stitch.
- Actionable Fix: Deliberately pull the first loop drawn around the post up to the height of a standard double crochet before finishing the stitch. This "lifting" ensures the BPDC doesn't shrink the overall row height.
- Edge Stitch Instability
- Root Cause: Neglecting the turning chain at the beginning or end of the row.
- Actionable Fix: Treat the turning chain as a valid stitch. When working your final BPDC of the row, ensure you wrap around the turning chain of the previous row to keep the edge vertical and structurally sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific yarn weight best for back post double crochet?
While BPDC works with any yarn, worsted or DK weight yarns provide the best balance of visibility and structural integrity. Thinner yarns, such as lace or fingering weight, can make the post-insertion process difficult due to the fine diameter of the stitches, while super bulky yarns may create overly large gaps between the posts.
Does back post double crochet use more yarn than standard double crochet?
Yes, post stitches require more yarn than traditional stitches because the path the yarn takes is longer and more complex. Plan to increase your yarn requirement by approximately 15 to 20 percent if your pattern consists entirely of post-based stitches.
How do I join a round when working only back post double crochet?
When working in the round, treat the BPDC as you would a standard DC. Slip stitch into the top of the first stitch of the round to join, and ensure your turning chain is counted correctly so the seam remains vertical and invisible within the ridge pattern.
Can I substitute a back post double crochet for a front post double crochet?
Yes, but the visual result will be inverted. A BPDC pushes the fabric away from you, whereas an FPDC pushes it toward you. Swapping them will reverse the orientation of your ridges and cables, which may alter the overall drape and fit of a fitted garment.
Elevate Your Needlework Precision
Mastering the back post double crochet grants you the technical command to craft sophisticated, elastic, and professional-grade textile structures. Practice this technique on a small sample swatch today to achieve the perfect tension required for your next complex crochet project.
