by Creating a crochet square with relief (also known as a textured square using post stitches) is a fantastic way to add dimension and visual interest to your projects. These squares are especially popular in afghans, cushion covers, and decorative panels.
🧶 WHAT IS A CROCHET RELIEF SQUARE?
A relief square uses front post or back post stitches (abbreviated as fpdc, bpdc, etc.) to create raised or indented textures on a flat square. These stitches pop out or sink in, forming ridges, cables, or patterns.
📌 EASY CROCHET RELIEF SQUARE (Beginner-Friendly Pattern)
💡 We’ll make a double crochet square with front post stitches for a ribbed, raised texture.
✅ MATERIALS:
- Worsted weight yarn
- 5 mm (H-8) hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
🧵 STITCHES USED (US TERMS):
- Chain (ch)
- Double Crochet (dc)
- Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the dc below, pull up loop, finish like a dc.
- Back Post Double Crochet (bpdc): Insert hook from back to front to back around post.
📐 PATTERN – SIMPLE TEXTURED SQUARE
FOUNDATION:
- Ch 26 (or any even number, depending on desired size).
ROW 1:
- Dc in 4th chain from hook, and in each chain across. (24 dc)
- Ch 2, turn.
ROW 2 (Relief Row):
- Alternate: (fpdc in next stitch, bpdc in next stitch) across the row.
- End with a dc in the last stitch.
- Ch 2, turn.
ROW 3 and ONWARD:
- Repeat Row 2 — maintain the fpdc in fpdc and bpdc in bpdc pattern to keep the ribbing aligned.
- Continue until your square is as tall as it is wide (about 24 rows if you started with 24 stitches).
FINISHING:
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Optional: Add a single crochet border around for clean edges.
🪄 TIPS:
- To keep your edges straight, make sure the first and last stitches of each row are consistent.
- You can also make vertical or checkerboard textures by changing where you place the post stitches.
➕ VARIATIONS:
- Try front post treble crochets (fptr) for more dramatic relief.
- Use raised shell, basketweave, or cable stitch patterns for more texture.
- Mix yarn colors to make the relief pattern pop visually.
Would you like a diagram, video reference, or photo guide for this square?
