Are you confused by the Puff, Bobble and Popcorn stitches? Don’t worry, it’s a common frustration. It’s something that I even got wrong when I was first learning. In fact, I thought they were all the same thing! After having a few people contact me about this recently, I thought a tutorial would come in handy to clarify it all for you. You will find the video tutorial at the bottom of this post, but if you prefer to read and look at photos, then I have that covered for you as well!
Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. You can find my EBook HERE.
Building your foundation
For each of these techniques I have started with an EVEN number of chains and done a row of Double Crochet (this is Single Crochet in US terms) starting in the 2nd chain from the hook. I have then chained one, turned the work and done another Double crochet (US-Single) in the base of the chain one. This will help to build a straight edge on the side of your work.
Each of these stitches will be performed from the wrong side of the work. This means that your stitches will be pushed away from you. (please follow this rule unless a pattern advises you differently)
Puff stitch
For this stitch you will yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through. this process will be repeated 5 times and you will end up with 11 loops on your hook which will be bunched together. Yarn over and pull through all of the loops on the hook.
Double crochet (US-Single) into the next stitch. Repeat your puff stitch and double crochet to the end of the row. You will end on a double crochet.
You must then chain 1 and turn. Double crochet into the base of the chain one and into every stitch of the row. Chain 1 and turn. You will now repeat the puff stitch row.
Have you heard about the Crochet Society? It’s my brand new subscription box delivering you a little bit of crochet luxury to your door each month! Click to find out more!
Bobble stitch
For this stitch you will yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through two stitches. this process will be repeated 5 times and you will end up with 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all of the loops on the hook.
Double crochet (US-Single) into the next stitch. Repeat your bobble stitch and double crochet to the end of the row. You will end on a double crochet.
You must then chain 1 and turn. Double crochet into the base of the chain one and into every stitch of the row. Chain 1 and turn. You will now repeat the bobble stitch row.
Popcorn Stitch
For this stitch you will do 5 Treble crochets (US-Double) into the next space. You will pull up on the loop on your hook and carefully remove your hook. Insert your hook into the top of the 1st Treble crochet stitch and back into the last loop (that you have just taken your hook out of) Pull the loop through the treble crochet.
Double crochet (US-Single) into the next stitch. Repeat your popcorn stitch and double crochet to the end of the row. You will end on a double crochet.
You must then chain 1 and turn. Double crochet into the base of the chain one and into every stitch of the row. Chain 1 and turn. You will now repeat the popcorn stitch row.
Now that you have seen them all together, does it make more sense to you? Have you used any of these in a project yet? I included the bobble stitch in my Bobble Stripe Blanket pattern as I just love the texture!
Wondering if they are yarn eaters?
Well, because they are such textured stitches, they do take up more yarn then your standard granny square would. I have weighed each of the swatches that I have done in order to give you an idea of how much yarn they used.
Each swatch measures 11cm x 6cm approx
Puff- 7g
Bobble- 8g
Popcorn- 11g
As expected the Puff requires the least and the popcorn requires the most. Please be aware that I will not be able to help you calculate how much yarn you will need for your projects as this will depend entirely on the yarn you use, the hook size and your personal tension. I suggest you make a switch of your own and calculate from there.
I have used Caron Simply Soft which although seems deceptively thin, is actually an Aran weight yarn. It’s currently one of my favourite yarns.
14 Comments
Sandie
January 14, 2019 at 1:25 pmVery nice explanation of the three stitches. Thank you for including the name of the U.S. stitches. You have a lovely speaking voice, very clear and understandable. I am also quite jealous of your beautiful nails. 🙂
Sarah-Jayne
January 17, 2019 at 9:51 pmhehe thank you x
Jenny Gebicki
March 5, 2019 at 1:18 pmThank you for this video. Easy to follow content with a great explanation.
BellaCocoTeam
March 5, 2019 at 2:59 pmYour very welcome
Julie Teasdale
June 23, 2019 at 8:31 pmLove these stitches, thank you so much.
BellaCocoTeam
June 24, 2019 at 6:51 pmYou’re very welcome 🙂
Roxie
July 18, 2019 at 11:24 pmThank y for videos your work is awesome I have trouble with tension and uneven stitches
BellaCocoTeam
July 23, 2019 at 10:53 amHi Roxy have you seen my tutorial Hints and Tips for tension: https://youtu.be/SRVA_4uNsNw
Maybe this will help 🙂
June Reid
February 23, 2020 at 8:01 amThank you, I’m improving slowly 🙂 x
BellaCocoTeam
February 23, 2020 at 4:33 pmHi June just remember that crochet is practice and patience 🙂
Donna Lombardo
March 8, 2020 at 6:56 pmGreat help on these stitches! Thanks so much!
BellaCocoTeam
March 9, 2020 at 6:59 pmYou’re very welcome 🙂
Ann
March 10, 2021 at 11:36 amHi Sarah-Jayne
Love your tips, patterns , videos and stitches. Very clear and easy to follow. However, is there any chance that you could do printable versions of the instructions of your stitches and patterns? My connection is ver erratic and it often disappears part way through my work, I have to log back in and by then I have lost where I have got to!
BellaCocoTeam
March 16, 2021 at 10:04 amHi Ann, We don’t have a printable version for these stitches at the moment, however if you choose the relevant stitch you want, go to print then choose which pages are relevant to you, you should be able to print it this way 🙂