2 Weird Stitches: What are BLO Crochet and FLO Crochet?
Are these crochet stitches or typos?
2 Weird Stitches: What are BLO Crochet and FLO Crochet?
You probably ran into the words “blo” or “flo” in a crochet pattern and that’s why you’re here! Blo and Flo are popular techniques used in crochet to shape, add stretch, and/or add texture to your work.
You will often see BLO and FLO used in stretchy patterns like sweater cuffs, socks, and cozy beanies. They are super easy to make for beginners. Ready to learn a new crochet technique? Keep on reading!
Materials & Skills
Supplies
- 4 ply worsted weight yarn
- US H 5 mm Crochet Hook
Skills You Need To Know
- Any of the basic stitches:
2 Weird Stitches: What are BLO Crochet and FLO Crochet?
Seeing the words “blo” and “flo” in a crochet pattern can throw any beginner off their groove. They look like typos! I remember thinking that these were just little mistakes in the pattern until I noticed that they appeared again and again.
Turns out “blo” and “flo” are real terms. Hahaha! Well, I’m here to show you how to make these funny stitches. Let’s start:
BLO CROCHET
BLO crochet or “back loops only” means that you will work only in the back loops of your stitches.
If you look at the top of your stitches, you will see small “v” shapes. The loops facing the back or wrong side of your work are called the “back loops”. The ones in the front are called the “front loops”.
To work in the back loops, you will go through the middle of the “v” and pick up the loop that’s facing away from you. Yarn over and make your stitch.
The loop I’m working on is the loop facing away from me. That’s where you will make your stitches.
Working in the BLO crochet will give you a line of bumps at the front or right side that you can use to add texture or work stitches into.
Notice that the front loops that you did not work on are super bumpy and stand out on your swatch.
Even the stitches at the back of your work is super bumpy and visible.
FLO CROCHET
FLO crochet or “front loops only” refers to the front loops of your stitches. These are the loops that face towards you when you hold your work.
To work in the front loops, you will go through the outside of the “v” and pass your hook through the loop facing you. This is where you will work your stitches.
It looks like this when you start making your stitches.
Crocheting in the front loops only will give you bumps at the back of your project that you can use as a decorative feature or stitches to work into.
Working on the front loops only will give you a flat fabric with subtle bumps that you can use as a decorative feature or work into for some 3D-esq designs.
Both sides of flo crochet fabrics tend to be flatter and smoother than blo.
If you see “BLO” in a pattern, only work in the back loops. If you see “FLO”, then work only in the front loops.
Add ridges, shape, stretch, structure, and more with blo and flo!
Simple as they are, crocheting in the back loops or front loops only is super useful when it comes to adding details and personalizing your crochet projects. This is one of my personal go-to’s when I’m running dry of ideas for my WIPS.
Having these two techniques in your crafty toolkit is also handy for when you’re whipping up stretchy patterns like cardigans, socks, and mittens!
