Front Loop Only (FL only); Back Loop Only (BL only) Tutorials

In case you need further assistance on what “BL only” means in our Sock Tutorial we made this special tutorial just for you!

We will show you how to work in both the back and front loops of a stitch and how this affects the look of the row. Unless a pattern specifies otherwise, always work under both loops.

Back Loop Only – (BL only)

Fl and bl-02 — BL only – Picture above shows a loop drawn up in the BL only. Notice the ridge in front of the stitches already worked. This ridge is created when the front loops are left behind when stitches are worked in the BL only.

Fl and bl-01 — BL only – Note the stitches already worked in the BL only. Notice the next unworked stitch: there are two parallel loops to a stitch. The one closest to my thumb is the front loop, the one closest to my forefinger is the back loop.

Front Loop Only – (FL only)

Fl and bl-04 — FL only – Picture above shows the stitch just worked and the previous stitches in the FL only. Can you see the back loop left behind?

Fl and bl-05 — To make a stitch in the FL only, insert hook into the front loop of the stitch (the one closest to your thumb) and work stitch as you normally would.

Fl and bl-06 — Note where the hook is – only the front loop, leaving the back loop unworked.

Fl and bl-07 — FL only RS (right side) facing

Fl and bl-08 — FL only – WS (wrong side) facing. Note the more prominent ridge on the WS compared to the WS or RS when the stitch is worked in the BL only.

It’s fun to play around with working in the BL and FL of stitches and see what effects you can make. I love working in the BL only when working on a project that switches colors. It allows the color from the previous row or round to shine and not get covered up by the next row’s (or round’s) color.

We in the Northern Hemisphere sure are ready for Spring and our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are getting ready to hunker down for winter. What seasonal projects are you working on?

We made a pretty big decision recently at The Firefly Hook. We don’t want to have a website with ads to earn income from what we do. We want to create with you, help you learn something about crocheting, and get you excited about inspiring others!

So, how can you support us?

Share our free patterns, tutorials, and crochet tips with your friends!

Check out our Etsy, Ravelry, and Craftsy shops and purchase patterns from us. We have a coupon for our blog friends that you can use on Etsy and Ravelry for a 20% discount: BLOGFRIENDS2014.

Our featured pattern from our shop:

Coffee and cream cowl-01 — This cowl hat works up beautifully with stripes of color that widen as you progress through the pattern.
Click on the photo for more information.

Be well, dear readers. Crochet often. Create always!

~Abbey

4 thoughts on “Front Loop Only (FL only); Back Loop Only (BL only) Tutorials”

Pingback: Iva’s Slipper Socks: Free Pattern and Tutorial | The Firefly Hook

Do you have any pictures of the cowl hat on a person. Wondering what it looks like.

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The Firefly Hook says:

March 10, 2014 at 9:15 am

Hello!
Thanks for stopping by. Here’s the listing for our Blue Jewel Cowl Hat that is the same idea as the “Some Coffee with your Cream” Cowl Hat. You can see how it will fit as a cowl and as a hat. Let me know if you have any more questions. http://www.etsy.com/listing/158413566/blue-jewel-cowl-hat-crochet-pdf-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_5

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1. nena says:
  
  March 10, 2014 at 9:53 am
  
  I will take a peek. Thank you!!
  
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