Crocheting in the Front Loop Only
As you’ve begun reading crochet patterns, perhaps you’ve come across directions that say “FLO”. What does this abbreviation mean? It refers to crocheting in the front loop only and I can walk you through exactly how to do it.
All basic crochet stitches result in making the vertical post of the stitch and the top of the stitch. The top of the stitch is made of two loops – the front loop and the back loop – and looks like a sideways “v”.
The front loop of the “v” is the loop nearest to you when you’re crocheting and the back loop is the loop furthest from you.
Let’s take a closer look at the “anatomy” of a stitch and how to crochet in the front loop only.
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Crocheting in the Front Loop Only
As you follow a crochet pattern, you may see crocheting in the front loop only abbreviated in many ways. Designers commonly use “FLO” or just “FL”, and then often add the type of stitch to this shorthand.
So if you need to crochet a single crochet into the front loop only, it would likely be abbreviated as “FLsc” or “FLOsc”. Likewise, a half double crochet worked into the front loop only would be written as “FLhdc” or “FLOhdc”, and so on through the stitches.
Ready to try it for yourself? If you’re new to crocheting or just practicing, I recommend using a worsted weight yarn in a light color and a larger hook, size I/5.50mm or bigger.
Step One: Begin Your Stitch
Whichever stitch you’re completing, begin by starting that stitch as usual. If, for example, you’re working in double crochet (as pictured here), you would begin by yarning over once.
Step Two: Insert Your Hook
Next, you’ll insert your hook into only the front loop of the “v”. This can take a little maneuvering of the wrist since it’s at a different angle than traditional crochet stitches.
Step Three: Finish the Stitch
Once you’ve inserting your hook under the front loop only, you just complete your stitch as usual. So with the example of double crochet again, you would yarn over, pull your hook back through that front loop, then yarn over and pull through two loops twice.
Pretty simple, right? If you can complete basic stitches like single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and so on, all you have to do is adjust from working in both loops to using only the front loop.
When and Why to Crochet in the Front Loop Only
So, now that you know how to complete a stitch in the front loops only, you may wonder why this is a helpful crochet technique to master.
Why might a crochet pattern direct you to crochet in the front loop only? Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons.
Amigurumi
Amigurumi, the crochet art of creating 3D toys, uses the front loops fairly often. Most commonly, the invisible decrease stitch is worked into the front loops to minimize the look of the decrease (so it blends in smoothly with the other stitches).
Additionally, when you want a 3D shape to flare out, such as the brim of a hat, crocheting in the front loop only can achieve this result.
Texture
When completing a row of stitches in the front loop only, the back loops will be left remaining. This creates a horizontal ridge that adds a bit of texture to your fabric. This ridge won’t be visible from the front or right side of the fabric, but depending on your pattern’s use of turned rows, it could become a visual feature.
Crocheting in the FLO does not, however, create the ribbing that crocheting in the BLO does.
Drape
Crocheting in the front loop only can elongate your stitches which loosens them just a bit. This can add more drape when creating garments. Thus, you may come across wearable patterns where the designer uses FLO stitches to achieve more drape.
I hope this tutorial was helpful as you learn and improve your crochet skills! If you’d like to see more crochet stitch tutorials, check them out here.
And if you’d like to see a video tutorial for this stitch, take a peak here at this video by Yarndrasil.
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All rights reserved. Designed and written by Jennifer Percival. This pattern is property of Crochet to Play. The written pattern and images are for personal use only. Please do not redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern or images, in part or in whole. Thank you.
