How to Crochet the Bobble Stitch a Tutorial
Learn to crochet the bobble stitch in this step by step tutorial. This large puffy stitch can create drama in your crochet projects. It’s one of the favorite stitches of many crocheters especially for a baby blanket.
In this tutorial I show you how to crochet a single bobble stitch. Plus, if you want to start your own project of bobbles, I demonstrate how to crochet a swatch of bobble stitches.
The bobble stitch usually needs to be paired with another stitch, like a row of single crochet. I alternate the bobbles with half double crochets in this tutorial. This helps the bobbles from the previous row stand out even more.
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The first row is half double crochets, and the next row is a bobble row. The bobble rows also have half double crochet stitches as the first stitch and in between each bobble.
When planning your bobble stitch projects it’s important to know you’ll need to make them on the wrong side of your work. That way they’ll pop out on the right side of the work.
Similar Stitches
The bobble crochet stitch is one of those unique stitches that creates such a beautiful texture. There are also puff stitches, like the one I use in the Piemonte Puff Stitch Blanket.
This pineapple cluster stitch is also a similar type stitch. You can see how I use this stitch in the Ana Pocket Shawl pattern.
Another stitch pattern that is like bobbles are popcorn stitches.
More Crochet Bobble Stitch Patterns
If you want to see how color changes work out with bobble stitches check out the Brindisi Square.
In the Briones Sweater bobbles are front and center. This easy chunky weight sweater works up quick and it’s a free pattern.
The Pocket Prayer Cloth uses the bobble stitch to create a cross shape on this square pattern.
Bobble Cocoon Shrug in children sizes includes filet crochet and bobbles.
I love this Bobble Stitch Cowl from NeaCreates too!
Yarn
This shiny worsted weight yarn is Wander in the color grey mist. I love the stitch definition.
The Bobble Stitch is going to pop anyway, but it is gorgeous in Wander yarn.* This is a new acrylic yarn from Furls. If you want to read more about my initial impressions hop on over to my review.
The bobble stitch is a yarn eater! When you have so many yarn overs, it’s going to use up much more yarn.
Materials
- You can use any weight yarn and compatible hook for the bobble stitch.
- I’m using Wander*, a #4 medium worsted weight yarn, with my red 6 mm US J-10 Furls Odyssey* crochet hook.
Notes
- For this tutorial I do not finish the bobble stitch with a chain 1. The next stitch will secure the bobble.
- The tutorial starts with how to crochet a single bobble stitch and then there are instructions for crocheting a swatch.
- The swatch includes half double crochet stitches, but you can use single crochet, double crochet, or treble crochet in between your bobbles also.
- The stitch multiple is 2 + 1, plus 1 if you’re not using the Foundation Hdc. So for the starting chain use an even number so your Row 1 will have an odd number of stitches.
Stitches/Abbreviations (US Terms)
bo – bobble
ch (s) – chain(s)
Fhdc – foundation half double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
rep – repeat
sk – skip the indicated stitch
st (s) – stitch (es)
Level
Advanced beginner – Intermediate
The bobble is really an easy crochet stitch to learn!
Written Instructions
Scroll down for the step by step photo tutorial.
To work one bobble stitch
- Yo, insert hook into stitch to be worked, yo & pull up a loop, (3 loops on hook),
- Yo & pull through two loops (2 loops on hook);
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (3 loops on hook)
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (4 loops on hook)
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (5 loops on hook)
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (6 loops on hook)
- When you have 6 loops on your hook, yo & pull through all of them (do not ch 1).
- Hdc in the next stitch to secure the bobble.
To work a swatch of bobbles
- Fhc 21 or Ch 22 and hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across, turn.
- (WS) Ch 1, hdc in same st, *{bo in next st, hdc in next st} rep from * across the row, turn.
- (RS) Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to the end of the row, turn.
- Repeat Row 2 and Row 3 for the length of the swatch.
Scroll Down For The Bobble Stitch Crochet Tutorial
Crochet Bobble Stitch Tutorial
Learn how to crochet the bobble stitch.
Materials
- Any weight yarn is suitable for the bobble stitch. For this tutorial I'm using a #4 medium worsted weight yarn.
Tools
- A crochet hook that matches your yarn weight. I'm using a 5mm US H hook.
Instructions
To work one bobble stitch
- Yo, insert hook into stitch to be worked, yo & pull up a loop, (3 loops on hook)
- Yo & pull through two loops (2 loops on hook);
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (3 loops on hook);
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (4 loops on hook);
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (5 loops on hook);
- Yo, insert your hook back into the same st, yo & pull up a loop, yo & pull through two loops (6 loops on hook)
- When you have 6 loops on your hook, yo & pull through all of them (do not ch 1).
- Hdc in the next stitch to secure the bobble.
- Here's how it looks on the front, or right side (RS).
To work a swatch of bobbles
- Fhc 21 or Ch 22 and hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across, turn.
- (WS) Ch 1, hdc in same st, *{bo in next st, hdc in next st} rep from * across the row, turn.
(RS) Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st across, turn. - Rep Rows 2-3 for the length of the swatch.
Notes
Remember you will work the bobbles on the wrong side of your swatch, since it pops out on the side facing away from you.
