Learning how to crochet in the front and back loops only may sound difficult, but I promise you it’s not. But before you learn, it’s best to know three of the basic stitches. These stitches are: the single crochet stitch, double crochet stitch, and half double crochet stitch. When crocheting in the front and back loops only, you will be crocheting into one loop instead of two. This will make more sense when you see the tutorial photos below.

If you are a beginner, you can check out all of my beginner tutorials by heading over to the Learn to Crochet the Easy Way series. This consists of all of the basic stitches, how to start a project, and tips to make the learning stage a whole lot easier.

How to Crochet in the Front and Back Loops Only 

You know how the top of each stitch is shaped like a “v”? When it comes to crocheting in the front and back loops only, it really is just as it says. Instead of crocheting into both loops, you will only crochet into one.

To get started…

For both of these tutorials, we’re going to work with double crochets. Make a chain of 16 and double crochet into the fourth chain from the hook and in each chain down the row.

Let’s start with the front loop.

Front Loop Only

The front loop is the loop that is closest to you in each stitch.

Crocheting into the front loop is a little trickier than crocheting into the back loop, but you can do it.

When you insert your hook into the front loop you are inserting it from the outside-in and up. It’s hard to explain through text, but if you take a look at the photos below you’ll understand what I mean. If video helps you to learn better, let me know in the comments and I’ll try to upload a video!

Now it’s time to double crochet into the front loop only. Yarn over, insert your hook into the front loop only (check out the photo below for reference on where the front loop is located). Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the two remaining loops. Now double crochet into the front loop only of the next stitch and in each stitch down the row.

Below you will see how your rows will start to look the further you go.

Back Loop Only

Now that you know which loop is the front loop, you probably already know which one is considered the back loop. The back loop is the loop that is farthest from you in each stitch.

You can either tie off your first swatch and create another one or you can continue crocheting row by row all on the same swatch.

Double crochet into the back loop only of the next stitch and each stitch down the row. Below you will see how your first row will look and how your rows will start to look the further you go.

One of the reasons why crochet is so amazing is because it has endless possibilities. If you combine working into the front and back loops and you’ll end up with a pattern like the one below! Who knew you could achieve a completely different look just by crocheting into a different loop? Amazing, isn’t it?

Working into the back loop only is a lot more common than working into the front loop. Working into the back loop creates a ribbed look and is used in a variety of ways. For instance; the brim of many beanies, baskets, and also to create my Quick and Easy Crochet Infinity Scarf!

Next week I’m releasing a pattern that will help you practice these new stitches and I think you’re going to love it! 😉

Today we learned how to crochet in the front and back loops only. You create your stitches the same way, just in a different loop! Let me know if there is anything you’re struggling with and I will gladly help!

How do you feel about crocheting into the front and back loop only? Which one was harder for you to learn? Is there anything I can do to ease the process?