Crochet Front Loop (FLO) and Back Loop (BLO) Stitch Tutorial [Video]
Have you ever heard these cool abbreviations – flo and blo? Anyone who wants to learn how to crochet encounters this technique sooner or later. Working in the front loop only and back loop only is a super basic skill that can make all the difference in your crochet journey.
Front Loop Only (FLO) and Back Loop Only (BLO) Video Tutorial
In this crochet tutorial, you will see how to crochet in the front or back loop of any stitch.
Right-Handed Front Loop Only or Back Loop Only Crochet Tutorial
Left-Handed FLO and BLO Crochet Stitch Tutorial
About The Front Loop and Back Loop Only
This easy technique creates a decorative horizontal line on one side of the work. Depending on your design, you can make it appear in front or the back of the work. No special skills needed – you work the stitches normally, but in one of the loops instead of both loops of a stitch.
How do I find the front and back loop of any crochet stitch?
When you look at the stitch from above, two top yarn strands are creating a “V” shape. These are your “loops” – the one closer to you is a front loop, and the one further away is called a back loop.
You can see an example in the graphic below.
What does front loop only mean?
It’s quite literal – it means working into the front loop only instead of in both loops. In regular stitches, you insert your crochet hook under both loops. In this technique, we are working into different loops individually.
You can use any type of basic crochet stitch and work it into one loop instead of two – single crochet stitches, half double crochet stitches, or double crochets. You can also use it with more complex techniques, such as bobbles, shells, and more.
What is the difference between FLO and BLO?
Working in the back loop creates a “line” on the right side of your work. The same happens, but in reverse, when we work in the front loop – the line appears on the wrong side.
Identifying Front & Back Loops in Crochet Projects
In the written crochet patterns, these two techniques are abbreviated to FLO – front loop only, and BLO – back loop only. After that we write the name or abbreviation of the stitch that should be worked this way, so for example:
- FLO sc (front loop single crochet)
- BLO dc (back loop double crochet)
- BLO hdc inc (back loop only half double crochet increase)
We can modify any kind of stitch in this way, whether it’s a basic stitch, an increase, a decrease, or else.
How to Crochet Front and Back Loops Only (FLO or BLO)
When you look at the stitch from above, you’ll see two yarn strands creating a V-shape. Depending on the instructions, work into one loop of the stitch instead of crocheting into both loops.
To crochet into the front loop, insert your hook under the loop closer to you, then finish the stitch normally.
To crochet into the back loop, insert your hook under the loop further away from you, then make a stitch in a normal way.
FAQ
What is the difference between crocheting FLO in the round vs. back and forth in rows?
Using this technique in rows is trickier, as it requires careful planning. That’s because your front and back loops switch whenever you turn the work. What was the back loop is now your front loop, and vice versa. You should consider it when creating a pattern.
In contrast, working this technique in rounds is straightforward because the front of the stitch is always on the same side of your crochet piece.
Will working BLO and FLO change the gauge of my crochet?
When you work in both loops, the stitch is much more sturdy than with FLO or BLO – it’s tightly attached to the row below. Working through one loop only makes it more prone to pulling (it’s attached more loosely), so yes, it may affect the gauge.
If you’re looking for exposed loops, which side of the fabric do you want them to be on?
It all depends on your preference! Remember that the “left-out” loops are always on the side opposite to the loop you’re working in. For example, front loop only crochet will produce the line on the wrong side, while working into the back loop will provide a visible line on the right side.
Summary
Crocheting into one loop is really as simple as it sounds. Crochet in front or back loop of the stitch, and turn your standard single crochet stitches into special ones. After reading this article, you should know how to identify FLO and BLO stitches in a pattern, the difference between the front and the back loop, and how to apply this stitch technique in practice. Surely it will add interest to your crochet pieces and will help you come up with new design elements.
