<p>Most amigurumi patterns are worked in the round, not flat.
For flat items the difference between regular and back loop only (blo) crochet stitches is striking, it creates horizontal ridges, which are often used to imitate ribbing, like in this sock:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/13VwF.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/13VwF.jpg" alt="sample from New Methods for Crochet Socks"></a></p>

<p>In items worked in the round the difference is more subtle: a horizontal line appears between rows of stitches, as in this ilustration:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uZUcF.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/uZUcF.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>For the most part this is a decorative element, so you can include it or not, as you feel like. Try both kinds of fabric and decide which one you like more.</p>

<p>Sometimes this is a functional element. Toys are usually evenly stuffed, so the feet are rounded and working one round of blo sc will give a gentle emphasis showing where the sole ends and the top of the foot begins, like here, in my own work from last year:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/81SlO.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/81SlO.jpg" alt="lalylala rabbit in progress"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-27T13:43:23.077Z
2018-04-27T13:43:23.077Z
jkadlubowska
<p>The end result looks quite different. If you work an entire row that way, it makes a ridge, whereas normal single crochets (using both loops) work up flat.</p>
<p>Here's an image from a <a href="http://knittingandcrochet.net/instructions/back-loops-in-crochet/#" rel="nofollow noreferrer">nice crocheting guide</a> that shows the difference between the two when worked in a swatch:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2D6ZP.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2D6ZP.jpg" alt="Single crochets vs back loop single crochets" /></a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The guide notes:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Structurally, these fabrics are really different. Standard single crochet has a sturdier, denser feel to it. It has a smoother, less textured appearance.</p>
<p>In contrast, back loop single crochet has a stretchier, more fluid feel to it. The appearance is much more textured, as it has interesting ridges on the surface of the work. If you rotate this fabric on its side, you can take full advantage of the stretch and mimic the look of a knitted rib stitch.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While amigurumi often use single crochets, when you want a ribbed texture, like with <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-cactus-6" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this cactus project</a> (requires Ravelry account), you need something different.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/zneVj.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/zneVjm.jpg" alt="Amigurumi Cactus" /></a><br />
<sub>(Pattern <a href="http://thelostnotebooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/amigurumi-cactus.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>)</sub></p>
<p>This stitch is an easy way to achieve it.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-26T18:45:08.193Z
2018-04-26T21:20:51.540Z
2020-06-18T08:35:49.040Z
Catija
<p>I just came across an amigurumi pattern that specifically asks for a <em>single crochet into back loop only</em> and it made me question what the difference is.</p>

<p>So, what is the difference between normal single crochet and single crochet into back loop only?</p>

<crocheting>
What is the difference between normal single crochet and single crochet into back loop only?
CuriousGeorge
# What is the difference between normal single crochet and single crochet into back loop only?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-04-26)

I just came across an amigurumi pattern that specifically asks for a *single crochet into back loop only* and it made me question what the difference is.

So, what is the difference between normal single crochet and single crochet into back loop only?

**Tags:** crocheting


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-04-27. Score: 6

Most amigurumi patterns are worked in the round, not flat.
For flat items the difference between regular and back loop only (blo) crochet stitches is striking, it creates horizontal ridges, which are often used to imitate ribbing, like in this sock:

[![sample from New Methods for Crochet Socks](https://i.sstatic.net/13VwF.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/13VwF.jpg)

In items worked in the round the difference is more subtle: a horizontal line appears between rows of stitches, as in this ilustration:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/uZUcF.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/uZUcF.jpg)

For the most part this is a decorative element, so you can include it or not, as you feel like. Try both kinds of fabric and decide which one you like more.

Sometimes this is a functional element. Toys are usually evenly stuffed, so the feet are rounded and working one round of blo sc will give a gentle emphasis showing where the sole ends and the top of the foot begins, like here, in my own work from last year:
[![lalylala rabbit in progress](https://i.sstatic.net/81SlO.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/81SlO.jpg)


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-04-26. Score: 3

The end result looks quite different. If you work an entire row that way, it makes a ridge, whereas normal single crochets (using both loops) work up flat.

Here's an image from a [nice crocheting guide](http://knittingandcrochet.net/instructions/back-loops-in-crochet/#) that shows the difference between the two when worked in a swatch:

> [![Single crochets vs back loop single crochets](https://i.sstatic.net/2D6ZP.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/2D6ZP.jpg)

The guide notes:

> Structurally, these fabrics are really different. Standard single crochet has a sturdier, denser feel to it. It has a smoother, less textured appearance.
>
> In contrast, back loop single crochet has a stretchier, more fluid feel to it. The appearance is much more textured, as it has interesting ridges on the surface of the work. If you rotate this fabric on its side, you can take full advantage of the stretch and mimic the look of a knitted rib stitch.

While amigurumi often use single crochets, when you want a ribbed texture, like with [this cactus project](https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-cactus-6) (requires Ravelry account), you need something different.

[![Amigurumi Cactus](https://i.sstatic.net/zneVjm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/zneVj.jpg)  
(Pattern [here](http://thelostnotebooks.blogspot.com/2015/06/amigurumi-cactus.html))

This stitch is an easy way to achieve it.


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