Where Do I Insert My Crochet Hook?

A common question when someone is starting in the crochet world is: where do I insert my crochet hook? And the usual answer is through both loops, BUT when you learn more, you notice that you can do it in just one of them.

So, if the traditional way is to pass the crochet through both loops, why should you do it another way? Because inserting your hook just in one loop can give a special texture or effect to your work or even can be used to attach some kind of decoration later in the free loop.

Here are some notes that you should know:

• Inserting your hook in different places is a technique, and you can use it with any stitch because it is a modification, not a new stitch.
• If a pattern doesn’t specify where you should insert the crochet, you have to do it in both loops.

Both Loops

Working through both loops (through the middle of the “V’s”) means that you have to pass the crochet hook between the front and back loop at the same time. This is the usual or traditional way to work in crochet.

Back Loop Only (BLO)

BLO is the abbreviation of Back Loop Only. It means that you have to insert your hook and pass through just for the loop farther away from you (or in the back of the work) and this will be the same even if you turn your work because the back or front loop is always relative to who is crocheting.

When you work in the back loop only instead of both loops, the result will be a little bit shorter than usual, and it will have a texture on both sides. Also, the work will feel thicker because of the texture.

Front Loop Only (FLO)

FLO is the abbreviation of Front Loop Only. It means that you have to insert your hook and pass through just for the loop closest to you (or in the front of the work) and remember, this will be the same even if you turn your work because the front or back loop is always relative to who is crocheting.

When you work in the front loop only the result will be less rigid and more stretchy, so with the same number of rows, the finished piece will have more length, and the work will be less tight, so maybe you could be able to see some gaps between stitches.

Also, when working in rows in the front loop, an “extra line” will show up in every other row on both sides of your work; this is the back loop you left free. But if you work in rounds, the line will appear only on one side of your work.

Comparison Between Both Loops, Back Loop Only and Front Loop Only

For this comparison, I did the same swatch (12 single crochet stitches and 11 rows). The only difference is where did I insert my hook and look you how different they are.

Now you know, depending on which loop you insert your crochet hook is critical, so be careful in your next crochet project!

I hope that this has been useful to you, and remember, if you have any questions about this topic or any suggestion for a new one, PLEASE write me a comment below or send me an email, and I’ll answer you happily.

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Happy Crocheting!

Paula.

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