Front and Back Loops

📚 What you’ll learn

Locate the top loops. Identify the front loop, which is the loop closest to you. Identify the back loop, the one farthest away from you.

Front loop: Insert your hook in the front loop only, leave the back loop unworked. Notice how using just one loop makes the stitch looser—avoid pulling up too much, or the stitch will stretch taller than the others and create uneven texture. Work the crochet stitch as usual.

Back loop: Insert your hook in the back loop only, leaving the front loop alone. Notice how easy it is to pull up, just as with the front loop. Practice keeping your hook close to the stitches and not pulling upward. Work the crochet stitch as usual.

The two loops hold each other firmly in place, balanced, when used together.
Working in only the front or back loops loosens the tension and it is easy to stretch the loop too much.
Using only front or back loops leaves a line across your work, created by the unused loop. This creates surface texture that gives your work a distinctive look.

Make a small chain of 9 stitches, the last 3 chains will count as your first stitch.
Dc in the 4th stitch and work a row of Double Crochet (dc), turn your work.
Chain 3 (counts as a stitch) and work a second row of dc. Notice how the rows lay flat and the loops disappear, turn your work.
Chain 3 (counts as a stitch) and work a row of dc in the front loops only. Notice the line that appears under the row, this will be on the back of your work, turn. Notice the line is now in front of you.
Chain 3 (counts as a stitch), work a row of dc in the back loops only. Notice the line in front.
You can arrange these techniques in many different ways to create the texture you want.

You can use the front and back loops separately, keeping your tension even while creating surface texture to enhance your work.