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FPDC crochet stitch is a variation on the basic DC (Double Crochet) stitch and is used to create some serious texture in your projects. It is also great for creating a ribbing, similar to that of used in knitting.
FPDC stands for Front Post Double Crochet. It’s called that because it is worked around a DC stitch, using it as a Post. This particular stitch is worked around the DC post from the front, bumping the texture to the front of the fabric, so it’s called Front Post DC.
Because of the textured effect it creates, FPDC is often called front raised double crochet.
What makes FPDC different from DC stitch
From its name you can tell that front post double crochet is a version of a double crochet stitch. What makes them different from each other is the spot where you insert the hook to start the stitch.
Where in regular double crochet stitches the hook is inserted under the top loops of the stitch of the row below from front to back, in the front post stitches the hook is inserted between the stitches, around the body of the stitch of the previous row, from the front, around and coming out at the front again. The body of the stitch that is used is called post, hence the name.
Even though the FPDC stitch is just one of the post stitches, the front post double crochet version of it is one of the more popular ones. There is also its sister, back post double crochet stitch (BPDC), where the stitches create a texture on the back of the work.
Since in post stitches you work the hook around the post of the stitch, it is mostly used with the taller stitches like double crochet (DC) and treble crochet stitches (TR) simply cause they have longer posts. Short stitches like HDC and SC are not used with post stitches as much because it becomes quite hard to wrap a hook around these shorter stitches.
Working around the post or the body of the stitch of the previous row is what makes FPDC different. Most of the basic stitches, especially basic ones like single crochet stitch (SC), half double crochet (HDC) and regular double crochet stitch (DC) are working into the top of the stitch, into the loops of the stitch below.
You can even work into a front loop only (FLO) or a back loop only (BLO) creating some interesting horizontal textured effects, but FPDC is worked around the post, creating a vertical textured effect.
What type of effect does FPDC stitch create
When using only FPDC, the texture is created on the right side of the crochet fabric. This technique pulls the stitch out of the plane of the crochet fabric and to the front of the work, making it bump out and creating a textured look.
Because of the textured effect, FPDC crochet stitch is often used where the ribbing is needed like the ends of the sleeves, the top of the mittens or socks, the ribbing of the beanies, even edging on a blanket.
To create a true knitted-like ribbing, you will be working with both FPDC and BPDC in alternating rows.
FPDC and BPDC are also used in textures like basket weave crochet, waffle stitch crochet as well as crochet cables.
Because the post stitch is worked around the body of another stitch (post of a stitch), it comes out shorter than the standard DC. Because of that, when starting the row of FPDC, you would need to chain 2 for the first stitch in the row (instead of ch 3 that we usually do with regular DC).
Also, because the Front Post Double Crochet basically wraps itself around the post of the next stitch in the row below, their heights overlap and, as a result, your 2 rows of FPDC will be not as tall as two rows of regular DC. You basically will get 1.5 height for two rows FPDC compares to 2.0 height of two rows of DC.
To make Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC):
Let’s say you are working on the top of the row of regular DC.
Ch 2. Crochet regular DC stitch into the same stitch to start the row and create an even edging.
For the first FPDC, yarn over, insert hook, front to back between the posts of the next stitch of the previous row, moving your hook around the DC that is located right below the FPDC stitch you are making, and back to the front. You will have your hook laying horizontally behind the post of the DC stitch from the row below.
Yarn over and pull the loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
Yarn over and pull through first 2 loops. You now have 2 loops left on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the 2 loops.
Ta-da! Your first FPDC stitch is done.
As you can see, this stitch starts in an unusual way by wrapping around the post of the stitch below, but then crocheted just the same way as the regular DC stitch.
Let’s do it again:
Yarn over and insert the hook, front to back between the stitches below, around the back of the post and then back to the front again.
Yarn over and pull the loop through. You have 3 loops on your hook.
Yarn over and pull through 2 first loops on the hook. You now have 2 loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
Repeat this for rest of the stitches in the row.
The last stitch is a regular DC to keep the edges straight.
Some things you might want to keep in mind about the FPDC:
– Since FPDC works around the post of the stitch below, when you working the fabric using this stitch, you first row will be done in regular DC stitches to create the basis for FPDC
-Your first stitch in the row will be done as a regular DC stitch since it serves as an edging
-The height of the fabric made of FPDC is less than that of DC since FPDC is a stitch then overlaps the stitch below, thus losing some of its height
-Because FPDC wraps around another stitch, it might at first come out pretty tight, so practice to crochet it loosely
-Crocheting FPDC creates vertical column-looking effect on the front part of your work and a horizontal chain-looking effect on the back of your work
-Since the FPDC works around another stitch it uses a bit more yarn than the regular DC so make sure you account for that, swatch the work and get enough yarn for your project
To see the FPDC stitch in action, see the helpful video tutorial below:
FPDC stitch might seem intimidating at the start, but after some practice you will be breezing through it.
It’s a great stitch to add texture to your crochet work, create fabric that looks like knitted one, including ribbing and braids.
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