Ready to learn how to crochet in the front loop only? It’s a great way to increase your crochet knowledge.
With this technique, you can create unique textures and drape in crochet projects that are otherwise not possible.
Through this blog post, we will cover everything from what front loops are and how to find the front loops, all the way through to creating fabulous fabric with front loop only crochet.
So get out your hook and yarn and let’s get started!
The photo below shows swatches of each of the front loop stitches.
What are Front Loop Crochet Stitches?
Front loop crochet stitches are variations of regular basic crochet stitches.
These include the front loop single crochet, front loop half double crochet, front loop double crochet and front loop treble crochet.
You can also crochet front loop stitches of the taller stitches.
The only difference is that you work into the front loop of the stitch only, instead of the whole stitch.
It is important to difference it from crocheting into the back loop only (blo), which creates a ribbing effect.
Materials Needed
To crochet front loop stitches you can use any crochet hook size and yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested to get the correct gauge.
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Features of the Crochet in the Front Loop Only Stitches
Learning how to crochet in the front loop only of stitches are a great beginner technique to learn as a crocheter.
It’s not more difficult than crocheting into the whole stitch and opens up a lot of possibilities when it comes to crocheting unique crochet pieces.
The features of the front loop stitches are:
- Just as easy as the regular basic stitches: One of the main great benefit and feature of the front loop stitches is that it’s not that different from crocheting into the whole stitch. Once you learn how to identify the front loop it’s just as easy and doesn’t take more time.
- Creates ridges: Each of the front loop stitches leaves the back loop of the stitch as unworked loops that creates ridges and edges that can be prominent features of crochet designs.
- Creates texture: When used, crochet in the front loop only will create beautiful soft texture to any crochet fabric.
- There’s no right or wrong side: When crocheting through the front loop (tfl) there are no wrong side or right side of your work, which means these stitches work well for crochet blankets.
- Creates a flowing and draping fabric: When crocheting in the front loop only, you will in most cases get a looser crocheted fabric than when crocheting into the whole stitch. This means it’s a great crochet stitch when you want a great draping fabric, like for crochet garments.
- Invisible decreasing: Using the front loops only are great when you are crocheting the invisible decreases.
The Different Types of Front Loop Crochet Stitches
Most crocheters come across the front loop stitches at some point, and often the front loop single crochet first.
However you can crochet in the front loop only on all of the basic crochet stitches, including the half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and treble crochet (tr).
You can even crochet through the front loop of the taller of the basic stitches, like the double treble crochet.
Below you can find written instructions and links to detailed step by step stitch tutorials, with a photo and video tutorial for the front loop single crochet, front loop half double crochet and front loop double crochet.
You can also find the video tutorials on my YouTube Channel.
1. Front Loop Single Crochet Tutorial
The FLsc stitches is a great way to get a well draping crochet fabric for any crochet project.
The steps of the Front Loop Single Crochet Stitch
- Insert crochet hook into front loop only
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over (yo)
- Pull through the 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Repeat steps 1-4 to crochet another front loop single crochet
2. Front Loop Half Double Crochet
The front loop half double crochet crochet is a great way to crochet a textured stitch with ridges.
The steps of the Front Loop Half Double Crochet Stitch:
- Yarn over
- Insert crochet hook into front loop only
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over
- Pull through the 3 loops on the crochet hook
- Repeat steps 1-5 to crochet another front loop half double crochet
3. Front Loop Double Crochet
The front loop double crochet is a great way to increase your crochet skills and get a slightly different look.
The steps of the Front Loop Double Crochet Stitch:
- Yarn over
- Insert crochet hook into front loop only
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over
- Pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Yarn over
- Pull through the last 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Repeat steps 1-7 to crochet another front loop double crochet
4. Front Loop Treble Crochet
The front loop treble crochet is a great way to crochet a ridged fabric with a variation of a basic crochet stitch.
The steps of the Front Loop Treble Crochet Stitch:
- Yarn over 2 times
- Insert crochet hook into front loop only
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over
- Pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Yarn over
- Pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Yarn over
- Pull through the last 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Repeat steps 1-9 to crochet another front loop treble crochet
Abbreviations for the Front Loop Stitches
There are many different ways to abbreviate the front loop stitches in crochet patterns. Some of the common ways are:
- FLsc, FLhdc, FLdc, FLtr: In this way of abbreviating FL stands for front loop, then you have the abbreviation for the stitches. In this case single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet.
- sc-flo, hdc-flo, dc-flo, tr-flo: In this case you have moved the abbreviations for the stitches in front and flo stands for front loop only.
- flo-sc, flo-hdc, flo-dc, flo-tr: This is the complete opposite of the previous example, but the meaning is the same.
- FLO sc, FLO hdc, FLO dc, FLO tr: This is also a way of writing it, similar to the examples above.
Ways To Incorporate Front Loop Crochet Stitches Into Crochet Projects
There are many ways you can incorporate crochet in the front loop only stitches in different crochet projects.
The most known stitch is the front loop single crochet, which are often used instead of regular single crochet.
However crocheting through the front loop only can be used in all kinds of crochet projects to create different textures, like draping crochet garments, soft crochet blankets and cowls.
The stitches doesn’t have to be used consecutively after each other and can be used in combinations with back loop stitches, crochet post stitches and regular basic crochet stitches.
The front + back loop single crochet stitch combo creates a beautiful texture and is a great example of the result crochet in the front loop only can give.
