Crochet Terms: Front Post and Back Post Stitch Tutorial

Many patterns refer to making front post or back post stitches.  These confuse many, many newer crocheters or even intermediate ones who haven't come accross this terminology.  So what are front post and back post stitches and why do we care? 

A front post stitch is a stitch made by inserting the hook from the front and around the post (the up and down part) of the stitch in the previous row instead of through the loops of the stitch in the previous row.  A back post stitch is made by inserting the hook from the back side and around the post of the stitch in the previous row.  The stitch is then worked the same as if the hook had been inserted through the loops of the stitch in the previous row.

These are often referred to in crochet patterns as a fp or bp with the stitch name.  For example, a front post double crochet is a fpdc.

 bpdc-back post double crochet (insert the hook around the post of the stitch in the prior row by inserting the hook from the back and around the stitch)

 fpdc- front post double crochet (insert the hook from the front and around the post of the stitch in the prior row)

What do we use front and back post stitches for?  The answer is purely cosmetic...it produces a woven looking texture to the crocheted fabric.