Crochet patterns made with front and back post stitches
Crochet post stitches are a brilliant way to add texture, interest and warmth into a crochet pattern. In this crochet pattern round-up I share a range of designs, both free and paid PDF patterns, which use this crochet technique.
This will allow you to see the amazing range of crochet fabrics you can create with front and back post stitches (sometimes called raised stitches in UK crochet terms).
What are crochet post stitches?
Crochet post stitches are made when you crochet any stitch around the post of another stitch rather than into the top of the stitch.
They are often made in the stitch below, where you would normally insert your hook under the top ‘v’, but they can also be placed in stitches a couple of rows below or to the side, in order to create more interest and movement in the crocheted fabric.
You can learn more about the basics of front and back post stitches in this comprehensive crochet post stitch tutorial. It includes written and picture instructions and a video tutorial for both right and left handed crocheters.
If you’re newer to crochet, you may also find this article detailing crochet stitch anatomy very useful.
And now, let’s look at a range of crochet patterns using front and back post crochet stitches. These are a mixture of free and paid crochet patterns, and there is something here for everyone!
Simple crochet patterns using post stitches
This round-up starts with a range of relatively easy crochet patterns using post stitches with minimal shaping. They have regular pattern repeats and familiar forms for most crocheters and are worked in rows or centre out squares.
1. The bumps shawl
This is a free crochet pocket shawl pattern which uses a variation on the glorious alpine stitch; a real favourite of mine! It’s cozy, looks great and is easy to adjust the size, shape and colours you use.
2. One step at a time
This free rectangle crochet wrap is a great example of why I like crochet post stitches so much. It looks like a super complex and intricate pattern, but it’s actually pretty simple once you get used to the row repeats. (This is the same pattern featured in the cover image.)
Granted, it’s more involved than the previous Bumps shawl, but it uses the same simple stitches over and again and becomes intuitive in no time!
3. Granny weave free crochet blanket pattern
What happens when you introduce granny squares to post stitches! The granny weave blanket uses a classic granny square construction but fuses it with post stitches in a basketweave type of stitch pattern.
The result is my textured take on the granny square. This is a super cosy blanket that looks great in two colours but would also work well in a single colour or perhaps a mixture of a solid and variegated yarn.
4. Front and Back crochet cowl and mitts pattern
This post stitch pattern is a little different as the placement of the post stitches is dictated by the colour change in the yarn. This uses what’s called an ‘assigned pooling’ yarn and is a wonderful way of crocheting a truly unique crochet accessory.
5. So What Sweater
The so what sweater is a super simple drop shoulder jumper which uses the same basic post stitches mixed with non post stitches to make patterns from the textures. It’s straightforward but requires a bit more concentration.
Made from chunky yarn, the free pattern works up quickly. If you do go awry it’s easy and quick to frog back and correct any mistakes – the perfect practice piece!
6. Straight and narrow sweater
Another simple drop shoulder sweater pattern, but here we introduce post stitches that are made in other stitches to one side or the other. This creates the lovely curved cables you see. It’s a super wearable chunky crochet pullover with no shaping, meaning you can concentrate on learning how to crochet those twisted cables.
Intermediate crochet patterns using post stitches
The next set of crochet patterns using post stitches are for more adventurous or intermediate crocheters who are confident at reading crochet patterns, familiar with stitch anatomy and can count stitches reliably.
They are more involved crochet patterns with detailed combinations of post stitches and non-post stitches with shaping (increases mostly).
Here we introduce increases and more intricate cable work in these super satisfying and visually pleasing crochet patterns.
7. Off-piste waffle stitch crochet hat pattern
This top down crochet hat pattern uses the waffle stitch to create a super cozy beanie.
The pattern increases within the waffle stitch pattern which is what grants it its intermediate status. Though, pnce you get through the first few rounds of increases, it’s a straightforward and very pleasing hat to crochet… and that pom pom gives me all the heart eyes!
8. Triptych twist crochet cabled blanket
All the twisted cables align in this classic fisherman style crochet blanket pattern. The pattern uses single, double and triple braided cables with smooth curved edges.
The crochet pattern here includes a photo and video tutorial for all the braided crochet cables so although I’d class it as intermediate, there is a lot of support to get you through this gorgeous crochet afghan. And once you’ve made a few repeats, you’ll be doing it without the pattern anyway!
9. The Falling Pines crochet poncho & matching hat
Recently redesigned, and with the hat pattern added, the Falling Pines poncho was one of my first top-down round yoke designs. The cable motif increase from the centre of each ‘branch of pines’ to create the shaping.
I designed the beanie hat as a way for you to practice the pine motif before getting stuck into the larger poncho (available in 3 sizes). And I love the vintage chic vibes coming from the matching set! Both patterns are available to read for free.
10. ‘It’s just not cricket’ crochet sweater and sweater vest pattern
Getting the faux-cable twist design right in this crochet pattern was quite a mission, but I was so pleased to release my take on the classic cricket sweater. The crochet pattern includes instruction to make this as a sweater vest or the long sleeve pullover you see here.
I have created a video tutorial demonstrating how to work the crochet cable pattern which repeats throughout the sweater. It’s most definitely an intermediate pattern but the shaping of the garment panels is fairly straightforward as it’s a drop shoulder deisgn.
11. Southern pines round yoke crochet sweater
This top down round yoke sweater was a next step for me following the design of the falling pines poncho. It uses similar techniques to the pine tree motif has been tweaked and uses a different repeat to accommodate the sleeves and shaping of the yoke.
Again, this is very much an intermediate crochet sweater pattern but as you start with the more complex yoke, it only gets easier as you go!
Southern Pines Icelandic Yoke Crochet Sweater Pattern
And there we have the end of the post stitch pattern round up. I hope you have found this a nice introduction to all the amazing crochet fabrics you can create with post stitches.
Any thoughts or patterns you’d like to see added, just drop them in the comments!
Happy Hooking
Dx
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