Hey everyone! In today’s Crochet 101 lesson, I’m going to teach you how to crochet in the front loop and back loop only. By doing this technique, you are creating a ribbing effect in your project, which can be quite nice. In this tutorial, I’ll go over how to crochet in the front loops and back loops using the single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches. For this lesson, you will need worsted weight yarn (I’m using Red Heart Super Saver) and a crochet hook (I’m using a Clover Amour Hook size I-9). Gather up your supplies and let’s begin!
SINGLE CROCHET FRONT LOOP AND BACK LOOP ONLY
To begin with our single crochet, let’s chain 20. Work your first row as normal with one single crochet in the 2nd chain and in each chain across. If you’re unsure how to make a single crochet, please visit this lesson.
Next, chain 1 and turn. If you turn your work towards you, you can see that there are two loops. The closest one to you is the front loop while the one further away is the back loop.
Insert your hook into the first front loop only. Continue making your single crochet as normal. Do the same in the next stitch and in each one across your row.
If you look on the other side of your row, you will see a little ridge to your work. Chain 1 and turn.
You will continue each row going into the front loop only. When continuing with more rows, you‘ll see that your work is starting to get a slight ridge effect.
If you wanted to start with the back loop only first, you will simply make a single crochet in the back loop only.
You will continue each row going into the back loop only. Again, the ribbed effect takes place.
HALF DOUBLE CROCHET FRONT LOOP AND BACK LOOP ONLY
To begin with our half double crochet, let’s chain 20. Work your first row as normal with one half double crochet in the 2nd chain and in each chain across. If you’re unsure how to make a half double crochet, please visit this lesson.
Next, chain 2 and turn. If you turn your work towards you, you can see that there are two loops. Again, the closest one to you is the front loop while the other loop is the back loop.
Yarn over and insert your hook into the front loop only of your second stitch. Continue making your half double crochet as normal. Do the same in the next stitch and in each one across your row.
If you look on the other side of your row, you will see a little ridge to your work. Chain 2 and turn.
You will continue each row going into the front loop only. When continuing with more rows, you’ll see that your work is starting to get a slight ridge effect.
If you wanted to start with the back loop only first, you will simply make a half double crochet in the back loop only.
You will continue each row going into the back loop only. Again, the ribbed effect takes place.
DOUBLE CROCHET FRONT LOOP AND BACK LOOP ONLY
To begin with our double crochet, let’s chain 20. Work your first row as normal with one double crochet in the 2nd chain and in each chain across. If you’re unsure how to make a double crochet, please visit this lesson.
Next, chain 2 and turn. If you turn your work towards you, you can see that there are two loops. Again, the closest one to you is the front loop while the other loop is the back loop.
Yarn over and insert your hook into the front loop only of your second stitch. Continue making your double crochet as normal. Do the same in the next stitch and in each one across your row.
If you look on the other side of your row, you will see a little ridge to your work. Chain 2 and turn.
You will continue each row going into the front loop only. When continuing with more rows, you’ll see that your work is starting to get a slight ridge effect.
If you wanted to start with the back loop only first, you will simply make a double crochet in the back loop only.
You will continue each row going into the back loop only. Again, the ribbed effect takes place.
That concludes my lesson on how to crochet in the front loop and back loop only. Do you have any questions on today’s lesson? Did you find this lesson helpful? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Stay tuned until next week’s lesson where I offer a free pattern using this technique!
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