crochet 101 :: crochet in the back loop

Crochet 101 is a series of crochet tutorials where I will teach you how to complete the basic stitches needed to crochet.

Hi :)

So far, in Crochet 101, we have learned how to:

• Make a slip knot
• Chain stitch
• Slip stitch (part II)
• Single crochet (part II)
• Half double crochet (part II)
• Double crochet (part II)
and
• Treble crochet (part II)

Phew! Sounds like a lot, but the good news is you have made it through all of the basic stitches!

Next step in the series is to learn a few basic techniques to use with the basic stitches to create an amazing crocheted item.


So, lets move on to lesson 13:

When crocheting, the 'default' way of working a stitch is to put your hook through both the front and back loops of the stitch you are working into. If a pattern doesn't say to work in back loop only or front loop only, then it is safe to say that you will be working the stitches through both top loops.

In the picture above, the needle is placed into the stitch to show you the default way (working in both loops of a stitch) of inserting your hook into the stitch. The rest of this tutorial will show you what it means to work in the back loop only.

*PLEASE NOTE: This tutorial is written with the assumption that you know how to make the double crochet stitch and understand what a turning chain is. 

I will be showing you how to do this technique using the double crochet stitch, but the same actions can be done with any stitch.

Let's get started!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You will need:

*Yarn

*Hook

In this post, I show you where to look for what type of hook you will need for your yarn.

Step 1:

 Make your first row of stitches.

In this case, I've made a row of 10 double crochets.

Step 2:

Chain 3 for your turning chain.

Step 3:

 Turn your work.

Now, before we move on...

 I want you to tilt your work so you are looking at the top of the stitches.

 As I said before, all stitches are made by inserting your hook into both loops of the stitch (shown in the picture above with the needle).

 To work your stitches in the back loop only, you will be inserting your hook into the loop farthest away from you (shown with the needle). This is known as the back loop.

Step 4:

 Yarn over.

Step 5:

Insert your hook into the back loop only of the stitch.

 It should look like this.

Now continue with the stitch as normal...

Step 6:

Yarn over.

Step 7: 

 Pull through.

Step 8:

 Yarn over.

Step 9:

 Pull through 2 loops. 2 loops left on your hook.

Step 10:

Yarn over.

Step 11:

 Pull through the last 2 loops on the hook.

You have completed your first double crochet in the back loop only.

Again...

 Yarn over.

 Insert your hook into the back loop only of the next stitch.

Yarn over.

 Pull through.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through 2 loops. 2 loops left on your hook.

 Yarn over.

 Pull through the last 2 loops on the hook. You've made 2 double crochet stitches in the back loops only and the chain 3 counts as a stitch for a total of 3 double crochet in the back loop only!

Repeat steps 4-11 across the row until you get to your last stitch (turning chain).

Your work should look like this.

Notice the bumpy ridge it leaves on the front of your work (shown in purple). This is the effect you get when you work in back loops only.

 Tomorrow I will show you how to work the last stitch of the row!

Below is a video I made to show these steps in action. I have slowed the video down so that every step is seen. I have also added music to the video because I filmed this video with my phone and I have no idea how to mute the background while recording. Feel free to mute if piano is not your thing lol

Enjoy!

Keep practicing!

See you tomorrow!