How to crochet BPDC (back post double crochet)
Crochet BPDC (back post double crochet) makes your crochet project look fuller and gives it ribbed texture. Worked around the post, not into the stitch, it’s perfect for adding depth to garments and accessories.
Learn how to crochet the bpdc stitch with this easy step-by-step tutorial.
Crochet bpdc stitch is a great texture stitch. I use it in combination with fpdc on projects which I do in turns. It is especially useful when I want to add fullness and a rich, 3D look to my project. Whether you do the stitches in vertical lines or scatter them playfully in different patterns, they instantly liven up anything. Think about adding relief structure to your dresses and skirts, pillows and rugs, shawls, blouses, or any other piece you can think of. The crochet bpdc stitch works beautifully with all kinds of yarn, even thread. It gives the impression of a much thicker, denser fabric.
What is Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC)
Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc) is a variation of the classic double crochet stitch. Unlike the regular dc, you work around the post of a stitch from the previous row, rather than into the top two loops. This simple shift in placement creates a raised, textured surface that stands out beautifully from the fabric.
BPDC is most often used to create ribbing, vertical lines, and sculpted textures, making it especially useful in garment design. When worked over larger areas, it adds structure without stiffness and texture without bulk. That’s why it works so well on bodices, yokes, cuffs, waistlines, and decorative panels.
How BPDC is worked
To make a bpdc:
- Yarn over, just as you would for a regular double crochet.
- Insert your hook from back to front and then front to back around the post of the indicated stitch from the previous row.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop.
- Yarn over and pull through two loops.
- Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.
- The stitch is completed like a double crochet, but because it wraps around the post, it sits behind the fabric, creating its characteristic raised look.
You can use the BPDC stitch on its own or combine it with front post stitches and other textures to shape fabric and add visual interest. Once you understand how it behaves, it becomes a powerful design tool — not just a decorative detail.