What a Difference a Loop Makes
Note: This article uses US terminology. The swatches shown are worked in Phildar Coton no 4, with a 5mm/US H-8 hook.
There are hundreds of intricate stitch patterns in crochet. There are also many simple ones. One of the simplest and most effective variations is to work a crochet stitch as usual, but only in one loop.
Loop? What loop?
If the loop concept is new to you, or if you feel that your loop-oriented knowledge has gone a bit rusty, don’t worry. There is nothing complicated about this. Still, working in different loops can change your crochet dramatically – for the better.
What are these loops we’re talking about?
Loops are found at the top of the stitch. The front loop is always the one closest to you. The back loop is the other one. This has nothing to do with the wrong or the right side of the fabric. ”Front” and ”back” refer to the work as you hold it.
When you learn how to crochet, you generally put your crochet hook under both of these loops, and catch the yarn behind the work. I want to encourage you to try putting hook under one loop only. What difference can this make? A rather big difference, actually. Crochet stitches are asymmetrical, and this quality is enhanced by working in one loop only. Let’s have a look.
Single crochet – a spectacular example
The single crochet is often the first crochet stitch you learn to make after the chain. It’s also a great stitch to show off the loop effect.
So here we have our good old classical single crochet. A nice stitch, perfect for hot pads, amigurumi and plenty of other items. It creates a sturdy fabric. This is great when sturdy is what you’re after.
But when that’s not what you want, you can change it so easily!
This is the same yarn, the same hook, the same number of stitches, the same stitch – but worked through the front loop only.
The look is definitely different. It’s smoother, with fine horizontal lines which give the fabric distinction without standing out too much. (OK, I will not pretend I’m impartial here. This is one of my favourite ”basic” stitches.)
The feel is different, too. This fabric is thinner and drapier than the previous one. Even on small swatches like these (10 stitches, 9 rows), it’s easy to see that the ”front loop only” swatch is taller than the ”both loops” swatch.
In my personal opinion, this is a great stitch for garments. If you like it, try the same technique with half double crochet. Chances are that you will like that, too.
But let’s not stop there!
Here is something completely different – still single crochet, but now worked in the back loop only. The difference is striking, don’t you think?
This is a highly textured fabric, with strong horizontal ridges. You can have a lot of fun playing with colours in this stitch pattern.
This is also one of the stretchiest crochet stitch patterns I have found to date, especially when worked in a yarn with a lot of bounce, like pure wool. The stretch goes vertically. You can often find single crochet in the back loop only used as ribbing at the hem of a sweater or at the neck, worked from side to side. But I can imagine a thousand other uses for this stitch!
Taking the loop concept further
This is where I let you take over. Now you know the basics of the loop effect, and you can experiment on your own.
You can use other stitches: half double crochet, double crochet… You can work in the front loop and in the back loop alternatively on the same row. You can work in a single loop on some rows and not on others. You can incorporate a row worked in one loop only in a more complex stitch pattern, and see how it changes the structure of the fabric. You can throw in some colour changes and see what happens. You can…
As always in crochet, you can do whatever you want and often achieve spectacular results. Make a difference, and loop away!
I love this idea and have been looking for something different to work with marble wool. I think the textured-back-of-loop will be perfect for this type of yarn. Thanks! V
Cool. I had no idea it made so much difference !
So far I only used the 2 loops when I HAD to, as in crocheting twice the same row if that makes any sense. But I'll try that now for sure !
And btw Hi from Annecy, Annette...! ;-)
Great pattern!!!
great swatches, thanks for sharing this.
Oh wow...I've been crocheting in the back loop only since I learned how, haha. I had no idea I was using "advanced technique!"
Great article! Useful and helpful. I've been using this stitch for my husband's scarf and it's looking good! I got the idea from the previous article on "manly stitches".
This article was excellent! The instructions and pictures made the stitches easy to understand. I've just done the plain "through both loops" but I'm ready to experiment now! Great job - and thanks for taking the time to teach us!
plz show me the front loop stich thank you
Rita - The second swatch shown is single crochet worked in the front loop only.
Cheers,
Kim, Ed.
When I first learned to crochet, I only worked in the front loop -- not realizing the standard stitch was worked through both loops. I was halfway through an afghan before I knew there was any other way to do it. I hadn't really thought about how that effected the drape of the fabric or how different an effect working through the back loop only has until now. Thanks for a great article!
I had no idea that working into the front loop only wasn't the standard way to crochet -- that's how I was taught! I am in the middle of a pattern that calls for crocheting through both loops, and it explained the method as though it was something out of the ordinary. The texture that this stitch creates is lovely, though, and I personally like it better than the front loop only method. I guess I'll feel less like a rebel when I start using it all the time . . . :) Thanks for the great article!
What I find so helpful about working in the back loops is that it leaves the front loops free for embellishment to be added later. I have a mercerized cotton belt on the hook at the moment that will display a real sampler of techniques - once the piece is long enough I'll go back and do surface work (Free Form Crochet style) with ribbon and whatever else I think might prove interesting, working through those exposed front loops.
And here's my favorite use of the two loops - when increasing, I work a stitch through the back loop only, then work the increase stitch through both loops. This technique totally hides the increase! sab
I REALLY like your tip!!! Thanks!!
Cool idea !! I'll try to keep that in mind..! Although I must admit sometimes I "like" that my increases show, so I know where I am in the pattern, if you see what I mean.. ;-)
I have just started using the back loop method before I came upon this site but it really makes me realize how great a look it is in your photos. Thanks for clueing us in.
Debbie
This is a great concept! I've always been afraid to try it, but now that I have, I realize it's SO EASY! Thanks for tips!
As a beginner, I very much appreciate this information, which lends insight... I am confident it will help me select the best approach to every project I undertake- because I now understand the significance of my decision to use the back, front, or both loops to crochet! Merci!
I came to your site just out of curiousity and now that I have seen what you show and do for examples, you have gotten me excited to start NEW projects with those techniques and styles. I have always done the "through both loops" style but now I am really excited to see how these turn out. Thanks for the tips and advice!
i've started using the front loop technique on a tanktop i'm making for myself that uses mainly half double crochet stitches. the fabric is coming out so much more delicate and breathable. perfect for a santa fe summer.
WHY NOT TAKE THE SWATCH EVEN FURTHER AND ADD A SECOND COLOR AND ALTERNATE ROWS.TAKES ABIT OF GETTING USED TO THOUGH BUT ONCE YOU GET,YOU'LL LIKE THE RESULTS.
IT'S A CHECKED PATTERN REALLY AND INVOLVES CARRYING, CROCHETING OVER AND UNDER THE COLOR NOT BEING USED.
One of my favorite afghans that I've made was simply alternating front loop/back loop. I plan on making several more, as I've gotten so many compliments and requests on it.
when i learned how to crochet, i only used the front loop... i had been doing it that way for years... then i figured out to use both loops, because i didn't always like the lines left by front loop only... i still don't like them, but now i can see how they can be beneficial.. i love working in the back loop to create slightly ribbed stretchy designs, perfect for doggie sweaters!
THANKSSS!! I didn´t know how important is to learn about loops!
I feel very greateful for this really very useful information.
Thank you again!
Fabiola
Thanks for the clear instructions. I found them just in time - before giving up on a hat pattern because I could not understand what 'back loops' were.
Thank you for taking the time to post this.