Crochet Stitch Anatomy

Crochet stitch anatomy can be confusing for new crocheters and even seasoned crocheters. Especially if the stitch you are crocheting is new to you, or you haven’t made the stitch in quite some time.

Crochet Stitch Anatomy

I hope this crochet stitch anatomy post helps you recognize the common names of the loops of a stitch.

I know this is really basic stuff here but it took me a long time to figure out that the loop name is based on your position to your crochet, not to the RS (right side) or WS (wrong side) of the work itself. Row 1 is not always the RS row of a project!

So for anyone else wondering…the front loop (fl) is the loop closest to you, regardless of whether you are working the RS (right side) or WS (wrong side) of the project. That goes for all those other loops too! The name of the loop is dependent upon YOU the crocheter.

Working in Rounds or Spirals

It can also be very confusing if you are used to working in rounds and then decide to conquer a pattern that is worked in rows. When we crochet in rounds, the loop names generally remain the same because we do not usually TURN our work. We just keep working around and around, on the right side (RS) of our project.

Working in Turned Rows

When you are working in turned rows, you switch between working on the right side (RS) and the wrong side (WS) of your project. This switch from RS to WS also changes what we call the loops of the stitch.

Another crochet stitch anatomy question I see a lot is how can we tell which top loops go with which post when we are crocheting post stitches?

Post Stitch Anatomy

For right-handed crocheters:

When you are working on the right side (RS) of your project, the loops (front and back loops; or the “v” of the stitch) will be on the right-hand side of the post.

When you are working on the wrong (WS) of your project, the loops (front and back loops; or the “v” of the stitch) will be on the left-hand side of the post.

NOTE: The opposite is true for left-handed crocheters, because they crochet from left to right.

The Loops of a Chain Stitch

There are a few different ways you can work into chain stitches. Each chain has 3 loops. The front loop, the back loop and the back bump (or back bar).

The back bar of the chain stitch is one of my favorite ways to work my projects in rows.

The below video shows you where to find the back bar.

Third Loop (Back Bar)

The third loop (back bar) of a half double crochet stitch can be find immediately behind and below the back loop of the stitch.

The following video tutorial is timed to start where I demonstrate exactly where the loop can be found.