Textured Stitches Made Easy: Post Stitches
Did you know that front post and back post stitches can be used in amigurumi? Yep, these awesome stitches aren’t just limited to scarves and blankets. In fact, there’s a bunch of different ways to combine post stitches to create all sorts of effects on your crochet toys. So let’s get right into this edition of Textured Stitches Made Easy: Post Stitches!
Textured Stitches Made Easy: Post Stitches
How to make Front Post and Back Post Stitches
Post stitches are most commonly used with double crochet (US terms), so the abbreviations would look like this: FPdc and BPdc. However, technically any basic stitch can be turned into a post stitch, which means you may come across abbreviations such as: FPsc/BPsc, FPhdc/BPhdc, etc…
Now the main difference between a post stitch and a regular stitch is where you place your hook. For the sake of this example, let’s use double crochet. Instead of placing your hook into the top of the next stitch, you’ll place it around the post of the next stitch.
Then the direction from which you insert your hook will determine whether it is a front post or a back post stitch. When you insert your hook from the front, you’ll create a front post double crochet. Similarly, when you insert your hook from the back, you’ll create a back post double crochet.
One important thing to keep in mind is that since you’re working around the post of a stitch, the top of that stitch is left unworked. Some patterns will call for working into the top of the stitch as well to create specific designs. However, most of the time, you’ll leave the top unworked to maintain the same stitch count.
Post stitches are often used in combinations to create a more complex stitch pattern. Some examples include the bar stitch or the basket weave stitch. If you would like some practice with post stitches, check out this article on the Bar Stitch.
Post stitches can be a little tricky so if you need more visuals, check out this tutorial:
Post Stitch Variations
Like I mentioned previously, technically any basic stitch can be a post stitch, so let’s show some examples.
While post stitches are definitely easier to work with taller stitches, it is entirely doable with even single crochet. Post stitches can also be worked on angles (not just vertically), with several stitches around a single post or around previous post stitches.
Similar to the Spike stitch, you can work post stitches around the stitches from more than one row below. The key to doing this without your project curling up though is to work taller stitches depending on how far down you’re reaching.
For example, if you’re working in mainly double crochet stitches and want to work a post stitch 2 rows down, instead of using a FP/BPdc, you could use a FP/BPtr (treble crochet). This will help keep your current row height even as well.
Using Post Stitches in Amigurumi
You might be wondering how this can all apply to amigurumi. Well, there’s actually several ways to use post stitches in amigurumi.
Changing Direction
Because post stitches are worked around the posts of the stitches from the previous Row/Rnd, the row heights are often level. This presents an opportunity to work in a new direction. For example, let’s look at Sammie the Turtle’s Snowman Shell.
In the image above, the pink stitch marker indicates the start of my round when working normal single crochet. Then, I worked a round of BPsc (marked by the blue stitch marker). Now with 2 different starting points, I can then close up this part of the snowman before moving on to the rest of the piece.
This is also a good way to abruptly change the direction of your piece even without working both rows. For example, if you are making a cylinder and want the base to be at a 90 degree angle from the tube, post stitches can achieve that better than just working front or back loops.
Surface Texture
Aside from the awesome utility of being able to change directions, post stitches can also be used to create cool surface designs on amigurumi. For example, you could use several connected post stitches to create the ridges that run along the back of an alligator. Or maybe they could indicate spines on the fins of a fish.
Not to mention all the combinations possible when you start making designs out of them. Check out the two samples below.
The top one uses the Bar stitch repeatedly to create an interesting ribbed texture. Meanwhile, the bottom one uses a single crochet variation of the basket weave stitch. Both of these have been adapted to suit amigurumi and ensure that the stitches are not too gappy. Each of these adds a really cool texture to an otherwise simple surface.
Creating Definition with Color
Lastly, one easy way to get those post stitches to really pop is to use different colors. Now it entirely depends on the stitch pattern or combination, but typically changing colors right before the post stitch and then changing back after will give a really cool effect.
For example, check out this project I have on my hook right now.
Each time I went to make a post stitch, I would switch from the tan to the brown. It is a little bit tedious to switch colors so often, but I think the overall finish is totally worth it. There are so many variations and options to explore!
Summary
In this article we covered not only how to make post stitches, but how to utilize them for amigurumi. I hope you’re inspired and ready to try some new things in your next project! If you enjoyed this article don’t forget to Pin it for later and share it with your friends. And if you want to get notified whenever I put out a new article, pattern or special event, be sure to sign up for my newsletter!
If you liked this article, you may also like these:
- How to Use Front & Back Loop Stitches for Amigurumi
- Textured Stitches Made Easy: The Crocodile Stitch
- How to Crochet the Spike Stitch for Amigurumi
Have a wonderful day and happy stitching!