Since the Not Quite a Slouchy Hat pattern was released on Monday, I’ve been really happy to see the variations made by crocheters! I know the special stitches are challenging for beginners, though, so I’m sharing both video and photo tutorials today.

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The tutorials are presented in the order the stitches are introduced in the pattern. The photo tutorials are first, and if you scroll to the bottom of the post, you will find a video tutorial for both stitches.

How to crochet the FPdc

The first special stitch in the pattern is the FPdc. (By the way, I’m using US terms. This same stitch is called the FPtr or RFtr in UK terms.)

Here is the written explanation for this stitch:

• FPdc – front post double crochet – Yo, insert hook from front around back to front of st in previous round, yo and draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops) twice.

And, here is the photo tutorial:

Step 1: Locate the post

Usually when we crochet, we work into the top loops of a stitch. The post is actually the length of the stitch itself in the previous round or row. It is sometimes called the “stem” of the stitch.

Step 2: Yarn over

The FPdc is a lot like a double crochet, so yarn over before inserting the hook, just as you would for a standard dc stitch.

Step 3: Insert hook from from front around back of the post…

Step 4: … to the front of the post

You will now have 3 “loops” on your hook – your original loop, the yarn over, and the post.

Step 5: Yarn over

Step 6: Draw up a loop

It may feel awkward at first to draw the loop up under the post. You will have 3 loops on your hook again, but the post will be off the hook.

Step 7: Yarn over

Step 8: Draw through 2 loops

You should now have 2 loops left on the hook.

Repeat Steps 7 & 8

Yarn over and draw through 2 loops again. You will now have 1 loop on the hook. Congratulations, you’ve made your first FPdc!

In future rounds or rows, it gets easier

After the first FPdc round or row, the stitches will be raised from the surface, making it easier to insert your hook from front around back to front of the post.

How to crochet hdc2tog

The second special stitch in the pattern is the hdc2tog. (By the way, I’m using US terms. This same stitch is called the htr2tog in UK terms.)

Here is the written explanation for this stitch:

• hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 sts together – (Yo, insert hook in next st, yo and draw up a loop) twice, yo and draw through all 5 loops on hook.

And, here is the photo tutorial:

Step 1: Yarn over

Step 2: Insert hook in next stitch

Step 3: Yarn over

Step 4: Draw up a loop

You should now have 3 loops on your hook.

Repeat Steps 1-4: Yarn over

Insert hook in next stitch

Yarn over

Draw up a loop

You will now have 5 loops on your hook.

Step 5: Yarn over

Step 6: Draw through all 5 loops on hook

This may be a bit challenging, so be sure to work loosely. You’ve made your first hdc2tog! This same set of steps, when working into the SAME stitch, is a puff stitch. When worked over multiple stitches, as in this example, it is a decrease.

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Video Tutorial

The video tutorial includes both special stitches from this pattern. If you can’t see the video below, click here to watch it on YouTube.

I hope you’ve found these tutorials helpful! Let me know if you have other questions about the Not Quite a Slouchy Hat pattern.

© 2015 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern and the tutorials are for personal use only. You may use the pattern and tutorials to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the tutorial photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2015/09/14/free-pattern-not-quite-a-slouchy-hat/. If you’d like to share this tutorial, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2015/09/16/special-stitches-tutorials-for-not-quite-a-slouchy-hat/ or share the video using YouTube’s share features. Thanks for supporting indie designers!