The back loop single crochet (BLSC) is an excellent way to extend your crochet skills and knowledge.
This stitch is a variation of the basic single crochet stitch and it will give your work texture, ridges, elasticity and great lines.
You can use this great crochet beginner technique in crochet projects where you want a knitted look like cuffs, scarves or hems.
In this blog post I’ll cover everything from what BLsc is, how to crochet it, materials needed and chart symbols!
So grab your yarn and hook, let’s learn one of the most useful stitches in crochet: Back Loop Single Crochet!
Find more: Easy Crochet Stitches.
Table of Contents
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The steps of Back Loop Single Crochet
A quick written description:
- Insert crochet hook into back loop only
- Pull up a loop
- Yarn over
- Pull through the 2 loops on the crochet hook
- Repeat steps 1-4 to crochet another back loop single crochet
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About the Back Loop Single Crochet
Learn how to crochet the back loop single crochet stitch. This stitch is a variation of the basic single crochet stitch and it will give your work texture, ridges, elasticity and great lines.
The back loop single crochet (BLSC) is an excellent way to extend your crochet skills and knowledge.
Project level: Easy
Materials
Crochet Hook
Use any crochet hook size that works with your yarn.
Yarn
Use any yarn you like for this stitch.
If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested to get the correct gauge.
Crochet a Blanket
Use this crochet stitch pattern to crochet a blanket! Learn more about crochet blanket sizes & making one with any size crochet hook & yarn:
Abbreviations
The Back Loop Single Crochet is often abbreviated BLsc, sc-blo, sc tbl or BLOsc in crochet patterns.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Instructions for the Back Loop Single Crochet
Step-by-step Photo Instructions
Identify the front & the back loop. In this picture you can see what the back & front loop is. For the single crochet BLO you will insert the crochet hook into the back loop only.
Insert crochet hook in the back loop from front to back.
Yarn over from back to front.
Pull up a loop. You have 2 loops on your crochet hook.
Yarn over & pull through both loops on the crochet hook.
The single crochet through the back loop only is now finished. Repeat step 2-5 to crochet more BLsc stitches.
Back Loop Single Crochet Crochet Chart Symbol
The back loop single crochet chart symbol is related to the single crochet (sc) stitch chart symbol.
It is a “x” or “+” like the regular single crochet stitch, but also has a half circle pointing downwards below it representing that it’s worked into the back loop only.
It will be turned in the direction it will lay in your finished crochet work.
Photo showing the BLsc crochet stitch chart symbol.
Crochet Ribbing With The Back Loop Single Crochet
In the photo below you can see how the BLsc looks after a few rows. The ribbing effect are starting to show and you can see the nice lines forming.
If you crochet a swatch you can get a better feel of how the crochet fabric feels.
You will immediately notice the different look the single crochet stitches takes when crocheting into the back loop only.
Turning Chains for Back Loop Single Crochet
For the back loop single crochet you will need the same amount of turning chains as for the regular basic crochet stitch, which are 1 turning chain.
Back Loop Single Crochet in Rows
To crochet back loop single crochet stitches in rows, follow these steps:
- Start the row with 1 turning chain.
- Work back loop single crochet in each stitch from previous row.
- After working into final stitch, you have finished a row of back loop single crochet stitches. Turn your work.
- Repeat steps 1-3 to crochet more rows.
Back Loop Single Crochet in Rounds
To crochet back loop single crochet stitches in rounds, follow these steps:
- Start the round with 1 turning chain.
- Work back loop single crochet in each stitch from previous round.
- After working into final stitch, you have finished a round of back loop single crochet stitches. Do not turn your work, but slip stitch into chain from beginning of round.
- Repeat steps 1-3 to crochet more rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many turning chains for the back loop single crochet?
For the back loop single crochet you will need the same amount of turning chains as for the regular basic crochet stitch, which are 1 turning chain.
How to crochet rows of stitches with the the single crochet through back loop only?
To crochet rows of the single crochet through the back loop only, you will crochet it the same way as the normal stitches.
Start the row with 1 chain, crochet single crochet stitches into the back loop (BL) until the last st at the end of the row.
To crochet another row, turn your work and start the next row with a chain again and work single crochet into the back loop of each stitch again.
Repeat to crochet a new row of crochet stitches.
What does SC in the back loop mean?
SC is the abbreviation for single crochet, and to SC in the back loop means to crochet a single crochet into the back loop of the stitch only, not the whole stitch.
Can the back loop single crochet be used to create a fold line?
Yes, the back loop single crochet is a great way to create a fold line when crocheting double layered pieces, like double brimmed crochet hats and double brimmed crochet headbands.
Is there a right side and wrong side of the back loop single crochet?
No, both sides of the back loop single crochet looks the same, so there’s no right side or wrong side.
