Want to separate sections of posts. Can you restart loop?

Question

I want to break the loop into sections of posts so I can put content in between that doesn't repeat. Is it possible to end the loop and restart?

My code works for my layout works if there are 10 posts on a page. When I have fewer it breaks because the closing div for .grid is tied in with the 10th post showing.

This shows my layout: 1st post, 2-5 in a grid, a non-post div separating, repeat of post then posts in a grid.

        <?php if ( have_posts() ) :
        $count = 0;

        while ( have_posts() ) : the_post();
            $count++; 

            if ($count == 1) : ?>
                <article class="large"></article>

            <?php elseif ($count == 2) : ?> 
                <div class="grid"> 
                    <article></article>
            <?php elseif ($count == 3) : ?>     
                <article></article>
            <?php elseif ($count == 4) : ?>  
                <article></article>
            <?php elseif ($count == 5) : ?>     
                <article></article>
            </div> <!-- .grid -->   

            <div id="edit">
            </div> <!-- #edit -->

            <?php elseif ($count == 6) : ?>
            <article class="large"></article>

            <?php elseif ($count == 7) : ?> 
                <div class="grid"> 
                    <article></article>
            <?php elseif ($count == 8) : ?>     
                <article></article>
            <?php elseif ($count == 9) : ?>  
                <article></article>
            <?php elseif ($count == 10) : ?>    
                <article></article>
            </div> <!-- .grid -->

            <?php endif; ?>
        <?php endwhile; ?>

    <?php endif; ?>

Answer 1

This pattern can be reduced to two main sections, large box and grid boxes.

And you said you were having trouble closing the grid boxes when your posts are less than 10, an easy way to close off the grid would be to check if the current post is equal to the total posts.

Here is my interpretation of your loop:

<?php
if (have_posts()) :
    while (have_posts()) :
        the_post();
        $total_posts = $wp_query->post_count;
        $current_post = $wp_query->current_post;

        // Large boxes
        if (in_array($current_post, array(1, 6))) : ?>

            <article class="large"></article>
    <?php
        elseif ($current_post > 1 && $current_post < 6 || $current_post > 6) :
            // Open grid box
            in_array($current_post, array(2, 7)) ? "<div class='grid'>" : "";
    ?>
            <article></article>
    <?php
            // Close grid box
            in_array($current_post, array(6, $total_posts)) ? "</div> <!-- .grid -->" : "";
            // Add seperator
            $current_post == 6 ? "<div id='edit'></div> <!-- #edit -->" : "";

        endif;

    endwhile;
endif;
?>

Answer 2

You can use before the while loop

global $wp_query;
$total_posts = $wp_query->post_count;

To get the number of the posts you will get since not always you will get 10.

Now, $total_posts can help you create the custom logic you need.