Learn the rice stitch, an easy reversible crochet stitch. A one-row repeat with front and back post double crochet, step by step.
Front post and back post stitches used to make me nervous, but after practicing them, I started to feel much more comfortable. Of all the crochet stitches I’ve tried, the rice stitch changed my mind because you only ever repeat one row. It took me a little practice to get the hang of it, but once I did, I really enjoyed making it and loved the beautiful texture it created.
It’s reversible, so you don’t have a “wrong side”. The fabric is thick and a little heavy, which is perfect for blankets, rugs and potholders. Want it softer? Go up a hook size or two.
Yarn and hook
Her swatches use Red Heart Super Saver Ombre (Jazzy), a #4 worsted acrylic, with a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook. Use whatever worsted you like. I’d pick something with color changes or a bit of texture, since plain white hides the stitches and makes post stitches hard to see.
Abbreviations
US terms throughout: ch is chain, hdc is half double crochet, dc is double crochet, FPdc is front post double crochet, BPdc is back post double crochet.
Start with an odd number
Chain any odd number of stitches. The sample uses 11. Counting twice is cheap, and an even number will throw you off later.
Learning the post stitches
Normally you work a dc into the top of a stitch. For a post stitch, you work around the post (the stem) instead.
Front post (FPdc): Yarn over and bring the hook in front of the work. Go in from front to back on the right of the next stitch’s post, then bring the hook out to the front on the other side. Yarn over, pull a loop around the post, and finish as a dc: yarn over, pull through 2, yarn over, pull through 2.
Back post (BPdc): Yarn over and take the hook behind the work. Go from back to front on one side of the post, then front to back on the other, so the hook sits behind the stitch. Yarn over, pull the loop around, and finish as a dc.
The back post is the awkward one. Turn your work sideways so the back faces up, and go slowly.
The pattern
Row 1: Ch 11. Work a dc in the 3rd chain from the hook, and the loop on your hook doesn’t count. Dc in each chain across for 9 dc. Those 2 skipped chains aren’t a stitch, so if you place a marker, put it in the top of the first dc. In a larger project you’ll end up with 2 fewer stitches than your starting chain.
Row 2: Ch 1 and turn. This chain doesn’t count either. Hdc in the first stitch, under the top two loops. FPdc around the next stitch. Then repeat BPdc, FPdc across. End with an hdc in the last stitch, under the top two loops.
So each row starts and ends with an hdc, and the stitch before the last hdc is always an FPdc. Across the 9 stitches, the order is hdc, FPdc, BPdc, FPdc, BPdc, FPdc, BPdc, FPdc, hdc.
Row 3 onward: Same as row 2. Repeat it until the piece is as long as you want.
Where people get stuck with these crochet stitches
From row 3 on, you work the opposite of what you see. What looks like a front post from your side is a back post on the other side, and the reverse. The instructions stay the same. The stitches are just harder to find.
- Gently pull the fabric apart with your fingers to find the hidden post.
- Work in the spaces beside the post, not down into the stitches.
- At the end of the row you’ll have 2 stitches left. Make your last FPdc, then an hdc in the final stitch.
- Stitch markers help.
It feels clumsy for a few rows, then it clicks.
What I’d make with it
Blankets, rugs, potholders, anything that benefits from thick, warm fabric.
FAQ
What are the best crochet stitches for learning post stitches?
Yes. It only uses hdc, FPdc and BPdc in a one-row repeat.
Is it reversible?
Yes, the front and back look the same.
How many chains do I need?
An odd number.
Why is my stitch count off?
Row 1 has 2 fewer stitches than your chain. Also check that every row starts and ends with an hdc and that you haven’t skipped a hidden post.
Can I use a bigger hook?
Yes, for a softer, drapier fabric.
Video Tutorial
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