Crochet post stitches are fantastically versatile and you’ll be amazed that this trailing leaves texture is created using only back post and front post crochet stitches. This front post crochet stitch pattern is my absolute favourite and I’m excited to have used it in a number of different patterns!
This easy crochet leaf stitch is perfect for using in blankets, home decor and accessories. If you love it as much as I do, check out this crochet leaf hat pattern and the matching crochet fingerless mittens pattern.
In this tutorial, Iāll walk you through how to make this front post crochet stitch pattern, step by step. We’ll use pictures to show all of the steps, and there’s also a video tutorial to help with any tricky bits.
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Tutorial Overview
- Stitch: Trailing Leaves Stitch Pattern
- Style: Textured, nature-inspired stitch with a gentle leaf motif
- Experience Level: Confident beginner/Intermediate
- Techniques Used: Back post and front post double crochet
- Perfect For: Adding interest and texture to hats, mittens, blankets, and homewares
This easy textured crochet stitch is created using just front post and back post double crochet stitches to create this wonderful texture. It truly is my favourite!
This stunning stitch pattern features in this hat pattern, which comes in sizes baby, child, small adult and large adult! Once you’ve mastered the stitch, why not try it out on a pattern?
What are crochet post stitches?
There are two different post stitches used in this pattern: the front post double crochet and the back post double crochet stitch (US crochet terms).
The Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) is a versatile stitch that adds depth and texture to crochet projects. Instead of working into the top loops like a standard double crochet, the fpdc is worked around the post of the stitch from the previous row, creating a raised effect. This technique is commonly used in ribbing, cables, and intricate textured patterns.
- Yarn over.
- Going from back to front to back again, insert your hook around the post of the stitch below.
- Yarn over.
- Pull the loop back around the post.
- Yarn over and pull through two.
- Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook to complete.
Watch a video tutorial of the Front Post (and Back Post) Double Crochet Stitch here
The Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc) is worked in a very similar way to the Front Post Double Crochet. Instead of working into the top loops like a standard double crochet, the bpdc is worked around the post of the stitch from the previous row, creating a raised effect. The only difference is where we insert the hook.
- Yarn over.
- Going fromĀ back to front to back again, insert your hook around the post of the stitch below.
- Yarn over.
- Pull the loop back around the post.
- Yarn over and pull through two.
- Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook to complete.
By working different combinations of the two post stitches, we can create the trailing leaves pattern used here.
How to Crochet this Front Post Crochet Stitch Pattern
You will need
You can try this tutorial with any yarn and a corresponding hook. I used:
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, 100% Acrylic, (276m/302yds, 100g/3.53oz)
Tapestry needle for working in ends
Stitch markers (optional)
Watch the Trailing Leaves Stitch Video Tutorial
If you prefer crocheting from a video tutorial, watch as I crochet this textured crochet stitch.
How to Do the Crochet Leaf Stitch? – Photo Tutorial
Before you start, you’ll need to make a starting chain of any multiple of 10 + 2. Make a double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook and each chain across. You’ll end up with a multiple of 10 double crochet stitches.
The pattern I’m going to show you now has 10 stitches for the repeat. Your starting and ending stitches may need to differ to the main stitch pattern. For example, in my blanket pattern I replace the first stitch of each row with a chain 2. The last stitch is then worked around the previous row’s chain 2. Therefore the chain 2 counts as a stitch in your stitch count.
Turn at the end of each row.
This is the 10 stitch repeat crochet pattern:
- Make a front post double crochet stitch in each of the next 5 stitches.
- Make a back post double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches
- Make 1 front post double crochet in the next stitch.
- Work a back post double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches. Repeat steps 1 to 4 across the row. At the end of the row turn.
- For Row 2, the stitch pattern starts with 2 front post double crochet stitches in the first stitch, followed by a front post double crochet stitch in the next stitch.
- Then work a back post double crochet stitch.
- We then work a front post double crochet, followed by 2 front post double crochet stitches worked into the same stitch post.
- The next stitch is a back post double crochet 2 together, worked over the next 2 stitches. Start by working a regular back post double crochet stitch until you have yarn over and pulled through 2 one time.
- Then yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. You will now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to complete the back post double crochet 2 together.
- Continue by working a back post double crochet, followed by a back post double crochet 2 together.
- For the 10 stitch repeat on row 3, we start with a front post double crochet 3 together. To start this stitch work the first part of a front post double crochet in the next stitch post, until the first yarn over and pull through 2 is complete.
- Then proceed to work 2 more part-complete double crochet stitches around the next 2 posts. You’ll end up with 4 loops on your hook.
- To complete the front post double crochet 3 together, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.
- Proceed to make 3 back post double crochet stitches. Then work 3 front post double crochet in the same stitch. The stitch repeat ends with 3 more back post double crochet stitches.
- Row 4 starts with a front post double crochet stitch. Then work a front post double crochet 2 together over the next 2 stitches. This is followed by 2 back post double crochet in the next stitch.
- Then make a back post double crochet stitch, followed by 2 back post double crochet in the next stitch. Next work a front post double crochet 2 together over the next 2 stitches. The repeat ends with a front post double crochet stitch and then a back post double crochet stitch.
- From Row 5 onwards, we are repeating the stitch pattern, however it is shifted across. Whereas with row 1, we worked 5 front post, 2 back post, 1 front post, 2 back post; on row 5 we will work 1 front post, 2 back post, 5 front post, 2 back post stitches.
The stitch pattern then continue in this way. There are a total of 8 rows, which can be repeated as many times as you wish, with the second 4 of the repeat being the same as the first 4 but shifted across as explained above.
If you like the look of this pattern, why not give it a go with these fingerless mittens? The full instructions are given for each row in the pattern, including how to start and finish rows and stitch numbers for this specific accessory.
Tips for Crocheting Post Stitches
- Keep your stitches nice and even.
- Pull up your stitches to their full height to avoid the stitches being too tight.
- Use stitch markers to help keep track of where you are in the stitch repeat.
- Practice the back post stitches in particular as these can feel quite awkward to start with.
What next?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, please do stick around and see what else you’d like to try on my website. You can find my other stitch tutorials here. You might like to learn the Tunisian entrelac technique!
Iām Gemma, a crochet tech editor, designer and overall crochet enthusiast. Iām also a mum of 3 kids, and enjoy running, reading, walking and crafting, but mostly crochet!
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I have lots of crochet stitch tutorials over on my YouTube channel so please do check them out. Here are some you might like:
- Crab stitch
- Double treble crochet stitches
- Even berry crochet stitch
- Stacked double crochet
- Crunch stitch
Other crochet patterns you might enjoy
Don’t forget to check out my crochet patterns for more crochet inspiration.
- Simple Crochet Triangle Shawl Pattern – easy yet stunning with a gorgeous drape
- Easy Crochet Cushion Cover Free Pattern – a geometric mosaic crochet design
- Christmas Wreath Crochet Pattern – quick, easy and fun with a woodland theme
Thanks for reading and happy crocheting! š§¶
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