ULTIMATE Front Post Half Double Crochet Tutorial (Fphdc, Fphdc2tog, & More)

The front post half double crochet stitch is useful for creating a variety of textured patterns. It is an easy stitch to learn, especially if you have already learned post stitch counterparts. Today I’m going to teach you everything you need to know about fphdc. Not just the basics, but also fphdc decreasing, in the round, and more!

What is Fphdc?

The abbreviation “fphdc” may look scary when you see it in a crochet pattern. But it just stands for “front post half double crochet.” A front post hdc is very similar to other post stitches. The main difference between a regular hdc and a fphdc is where the hook is inserted.

What is the post of a half double crochet?

The post of a half double crochet refers to the body of the stitch—the part you can stick your fingers in between to count the stitches. It looks very similar to working around the post of a double crochet stitch. The main difference is that a half double crochet post is not as tall as a double crochet post.

What You’ll Need

Before you get started with ANY of the techniques, choose a yarn and hook that you are comfortable crocheting with. In the following tutorials, I used worsted weight yarn (Caron Simply Soft) and a G/4.5mm hook. I like this combination a lot.

However, you don’t have to use what I used! When you’re doing a new technique, the important thing is choosing a yarn and hook that you are already used to using.

Another thing I recommend you have is experience with other post stitches. The easiest (and most common) post stitches to begin with learning are the front post double crochet and back post double crochet. Once you learn those stitches, you can continue learning the stitch in this post!

Abbreviations

Chain – ch

Half double crochet – hdc

Front post half double crochet – fphdc

Double crochet – dc

Front post double crochet – fpdc

Yarn over – YO

How to Make Front Post Half Double Crochet

The best place to start is with the basic front post half double crochet stitch. The video below will show you this, plus all the other techniques talked about in this post. Or, you can also follow the steps and photo collages below.

Video Tutorial:

(coming soon!)

Step 1:

To begin your fphdc, you’ll need 1 row of regular hdc. Just make a chain to your desired length, and work one row of hdc. This is like our “setup” row.

Step 2:

Now you’re ready to start the front post row! Chain 1 (does NOT count as a stitch), and make 2 regular hdc in the first two stitches. (For the purposes of this tutorial, this is the easiest way to begin the row. But you don’t always have to start with 2 regular hdc).

Step 3:

To begin the front post hdc, insert your hook around the POST of the next stitch in the row. You’ll stick your hook out the side of the stitch to the back of the work, then bring it around the stitch and back out the other side to the front (see top right photo).

Step 4:

Yarn over, and pull up a loop (middle photos).

Step 5:

Now you can finish the hdc like normal! Simply yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.

You have now made a front post half double crochet stitch!

Alternating with regular hdc

It is easy enough to make the front post hdc, but when you need to alternate between post stitches and regular hdc, it becomes a little more difficult. You really have to understand the stitch anatomy so you don’t accidentally increase (by working in the top of a stitch you’ve already made as a post stitch).

Take a look at the photos below to see where you should and shouldn’t insert your hook to make a regular hdc.

My best tip is to always follow the post that you worked around up to the “V” that is connected. You never want to work around the post AND the V of a stitch, or else you will have too many stitches.

Front Post hdc in the round

If you are working front post hdc in the round, the process is the same as above…except for the start and finish of the round. In this case, we need to learn how to start and join a round when using front post hdc.

Step 1:

Chain 1 to start the round. Just like in rows, this chain should not count as a stitch. Begin the first front post hdc in the first stitch by inserting your hook around the post. (This part is exactly like normal).

Step 2:

Work in your desired stitch pattern around. For example, you might alternate between front and back post hdc, or alternate between front post and regular hdc.

Step 3:

When you get to the end of the round, join with a slip stitch to the first hdc (not the chain).

Front Post Half Double crochet Decrease (Fphdc2tog)

If there ever was a scary-sounding abbreviation, this would be it! “Fphdc2tog” looks long and intimidating…but looks can be deceiving! This stitch is actually very similar to the front post double crochet decrease.

Step 1:

First, YO and insert your hook around the post of the next stitch. Pull up a loop and yarn over again. (So far it feels like a normal fphdc, right?)

Step 2:

Here is where it changes. Instead of pull through the loops on your hook, insert your hook around the post of the very NEXT stitch! Pull up a loop so that you have 5 loops on your hook. (middle photos).

Step 3:

Yarn over, and pull through all 5 loops.

Alternate Method:

Before inserting your hook around the post of the SECOND stitch, you can also choose not to yarn over. This will result in a slightly less bulky decrease, but personally I didn’t like it because it seemed to leave a little bit of a hole.

Front Post Hdc Standing Stitch

Another technique that is helpful to know is the front post half double crochet standing stitch. This stitch is often used to change colors with a fphdc in the round. So let’s learn it!

Step 1:

First of all, make a slip knot on your hook with the new color. Yarn over. Then, anchord the slip knot and the YO with your thumb on the side of the hook. This will keep it from slipping around everywhere while we make the standing stitch. (top photos)

Step 2:

Now, insert your hook around the post of the next hdc. Yarn over. (middle photos)

Step 3:

Now it is just like a regular front post hdc. Yarn over, and pull through all 3 loops on your hook! (bottom left). From here, you can continue in the round however you’d like (or however the pattern tells you to!)

Conclusion

The front post half double crochet stitch is slightly less common than other post stitches, but it is still important to learn. You can make wonderful textures with this post stitch. So what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite hook and yarn combo and start practicing all the techniques in this post! You’ll soon be a front post half double crochet expert.