Today I will show you how to crochet in back loop only! What might seem tricky at first will soon become second nature.
I love working in crochet back loop only (blo). You don’t need it for whole projects, but it helps add textural differences and perfectly straight lines, like with my crochet star stitch scarf pattern. It can also be strategically used when you want to work to build amigurumi projects and want to use the front loop only (flo) for other details and you don’t want to sew those pieces on later, as seen with my crochet santa amigurumi for the coat trimming.
The crochet back loop only is also very useful if you want an easy way to do ribbing for coats, cardigans and gloves. My crochet ribbed fingerless glove pattern is a perfect example of this. Blo allows crochet pieces to be more stretchy in areas like ribbing, otherwise it would be stiff and not have the greatest stretch for things that need to allow for a variance in size.
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✏️ Things To Note:
- Appearance: Creates a textured, ribbed look, often with a horizontal line showing on the surface.
- Usage: Commonly used for ribbing for clothing, garments and gloves, as well as amigurumi to create perfect lines like with my crochet frog pattern.
- Stitch: Can be used with any foundational crochet stitch - sc, hdc, dc, tr etc.
🪡 Materials Needed
- Any yarn size (just make sure it is smooth so you can see your stitch easily).
- Hook size recommended for your yarn size.
💭Abbreviations to Remember (US terms)
- Single crochet - sc
- Chains - ch
- Back loop only - blo
🧋Variations
As mentioned earlier you can use this for any type of foundational crochet stitch! I am using sc for the tutorial but feel free to switch it up! You can also use this stitch anywhere you want to create a little straight line in the project, ribbing, textural interest, etc.
🍵Instructions for How to Crochet in Back Loop Only
Chain any length you wish.
Row 1: In the second chain from the hook, make a sc. Sc for the rest of the row. Then ch x1 and turn.
This is your foundation row and is done normally. After this we will be working our stitches in back loop only.
Row 2 and beyond: When working a “normal” sc stitch there are 2 loops at the top of the stitch and you go through both loops. For blo, you skip the first (the front) loop of the stitch and go directly into the other loop, in the back, farthest away from you. You do not go through the post - just the back loop.
Then make a sc like normal - pull up a loop, yarn over, and go through both loops on the hook to complete the stitch.
This should leave a horizontal bar exposed and can be more noticeable after completing a few more stitches.
Complete the row, ch x1 (or more depending on the stitch you are making) and turn.
Repeat for as many rows as you would like.
You can do this for any crochet stitch. Below I show single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet, made in blo.
You can also do this for front loop only (flo). Flo is completed just like blo, but in the front loop. You just insert your hook into the front loop, making sure to ONLY grab the front loop, and complete the stitch like normal.
And now you know how to do the crochet back loop only and front loop only!
If you really enjoyed learning how to do the front loop only, you can make whole patterns out of it! Like my crochet cactus hat pattern and crochet bear hat pattern. Or if you are looking for smaller blo patterns to make my crochet pumpkin cup cozy works up in under an hour!
🐌Expert Tips
- Loosen Your Grip: To prevent overly tight stitches that are difficult to insert the hook into, loosen your yarn tension. If you want a tight fabric, use a smaller hook rather than tighter tension.
- Identify the "V": Look for the "V" shape on top of the stitches. The loop closest to you is the front loop, and the one farthest away is the back loop.
- Miscounting Stitches: It is easy to miss the last stitch in a row of blo. Always count your stitches to ensure your edges remain straight.
🧵Pattern FAQs
- Ribbing: Creating stretchy brims for hats, cuffs, or sweaters.
- Texture: Adding decorative, ridged, or "rick-rack" details.
- Amigurumi: Creating sharp corners, such as the base of a basket or animal foot.
Look at the top of your stitches. You will see a "V". The loop closest to you is the front loop (flo), and the loop farthest away is the back loop (blo).
Yes, if you are working in rows and turning your work, the loops switch positions relative to you, but you continue to work into the one furthest from you.
🧶More Crochet Stitch Patterns
If you tried this How to Crochet in Back Loop Only (or any other pattern on my website), please let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!
How to Crochet in Back Loop Only
Materials
- Any yarn size just make sure it is smooth so you can see your stitch easily.
- Hook size recommended for your yarn size.
Abbreviations (US terms)
- Single crochet - sc
- Chains - ch
- Back loop only - blo
Notes
- Appearance: Creates a textured, ribbed look, often with a horizontal line showing on the surface.
- Usage: Commonly used for ribbing for clothing, garments and gloves, as well as amigurumi to create perfect lines like with my crochet frog pattern.
- Stitch: Can be used with any foundational crochet stitch - sc, hdc, dc, tr etc.
Instructions
- Chain any length you wish.
- Row 1: In the second chain from the hook, make a sc. Sc for the rest of the row. Then ch x1 and turn.
- This is your foundation row and is done normally. After this we will be working our stitches in back loop only.
- Row 2 and beyond: When working a “normal” sc stitch there are 2 loops at the top of the stitch and you go through both loops. For blo, you skip the first (the front) loop of the stitch and go directly into the other loop, in the back, farthest away from you. You do not go through the post - just the back loop.
- Then make a sc like normal - pull up a loop, yarn over, and go through both loops on the hook to complete the stitch.
- This should leave a horizontal bar exposed and can be more noticeable after completing a few more stitches.
- Complete the row, ch x1 (or more depending on the stitch you are making) and turn. Repeat for as many rows as you would like.
- You can also do this for front loop only (flo). Flo is completed just like blo, but in the front loop. You just insert your hook into the front loop, making sure to ONLY grab the front loop, and complete the stitch like normal.
- And now you know how to do the crochet back loop only and front loop only!
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