google.com, pub-3768958470406708, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

Raised Crochet Stitches

Raised crochet stitches are an easy way to add texture to your projects.  They are simple and straight forward in how they are worked, too.  

They are created with your basic crochet stitches.  The only difference is where those stitches are placed in the previous row.

There are 2 kinds of raised crochet stitches, ridge stitches and post stitches.

Ridge stitches are placed either in the front or back loops of the previous chain.

Post stitches are worked around either the front or back posts of the previous row's stitches.

Crochet Ridge Stitches

When you work in the different loops, ridge stitches are created.  As you can see from these 2 pictures there is quite a big difference between working in back loops (yellow) and working in front loops (blue).

These stitches also create free loops.  You can learn more about them in Crochet Help.

The abbreviation for these stitches is usually FL for front loops and BL for back loops.  These are put in front of the abbreviation of the basic stitch, for example; single crochet worked in the front loop would be FLsc.

Back Loops

Here are a couple of examples of working in the back loops. It will create a ridge in your work, adding much more texture and design to it.

Single crochet in back loops.

Double crochet in back loops.

Front Loops

Working in the front loops adds a much softer texture to your project.  It's not nearly so bold as working in the back loops, but, it’s a nice, little touch to some pieces.  

Sometimes, a pattern will have you go back and work in those free loops as well, adding more texture and design to you piece that way.

Single crochet in front loops.

Double crochet in front loops.

I've only shown these in single and double crochet but they can be worked with any of the basic stitches.  Keep in mind that single crochet will make a much tighter fabric than your longer stitches.

Ridge stitches can be worked specifically on the front (right side) or back (wrong side) of your piece.  

 If you work in the front or back loops on the right side only, you will only have ridges or free loops on the front.  That would be the same for working them only on the back of the piece, also.  

My examples are worked so that there are ridges and free loops on both sides.

You can also alternate between working front loops, back loops and both.  You can create a variety of patterns just with these super simple crochet ridge stitches.

Back to Top

Post Stitches

Another form of raised crochet stitches are post stitches.  These stitches are created by working around the post of the stitches in the previous row.  Post stitches can be worked around the front or the back of the post.  They will raise your fabric in different ways.


The abbreviation for front post stitches is FP and for back post stitches is BP.

These are also put in front of the basic stitch abbreviation, for example; BPdc would be back post double crochet.

Front Posts

1 – Yo


2 – Insert the hook from FRONT to BACK around the post of the stitch from the previous row.


 Then complete the dc as you normally would.


3 – Yo and pull through the stitch.

4 – Yo and pull through 2 loops.


5 – Yo and pull through last 2 loops.

Front Post Double Crochet

I've worked these stitches in the pictures so that the ridge is only on the front of my piece.  That means I worked one row of regular dc and then the second row was FPdc (front post double crochet).  Then I continue to alternate between the two.

Back Posts

1 – Yo


2- Insert hook from BACK to FRONT around the post of the stitch from the previous row.


Then complete the dc as usual.


3– Yo and pull through stitch.

4 – Yo  and pull through 2 loops.


5 – Yo and pull through last 2 loops.

Back Post Double Crochet

Leave Raised Crochet Stitches and try your hand at Crochet Mesh.

Back to Top

› Raised Crochet Stitches