Get the popcorn, stitch! Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun… You’ve probably seen these prominent bubbles of yarn on a project or two, but have you ever wondered how to do them? Well, look no further! In this post, I will show you how to make the beautiful crochet popcorn stitch in no time at all.
What’s the stitch?
Meet the popcorn stitch! This heavily textured crochet stitch literally “pops” forward, making a ball shaped yarny protrusions. (Yes, yarny protrusions is a technical term.) In my pattern, I make this dimensional stitch entirely out of double crochets and chains, but more about that later.
You may have seen another stitch that looks similar to the popcorn stitch and that’s the bobble. The bobble stitch is just as poofy as it’s popcorn counter part, however it is made quite differently. If I were making a popcorn stitch I would be working from the front, using 5 finished double crochets and then moving my hook to draw the stitch together. With the bobble stitch, I would be working the “back”, using 5 partial double crochets and then drawing them all together so that the stitch puffs backward.
Uses and variations For the Crochet Popcorn stitch
This beautiful texture stitch can easily be added to all kinds of crochet patterns, from blankets and washcloths, to bags, scarves, and hats. It really is a great pop of dimension to add to your project.
I’ve also seen plenty of people use them to make raised letters and shapes. For that method, you would combine them with other stitches that are flatter, like half double crochets or double crochets.
There are tons of variations of this stitch. One type of variation is using different amounts of stitches in the popcorn. For example, using 4 double crochets in a popcorn stitch instead of 5. I’ve also seen the 6 double crochet popcorn stitch, the 7 double crochet popcorn stitch, and the 3 double crochet popcorn stitch.
The other type of variation for the popcorn stitch, is using different sized stitches. Such as, putting 5 single crochets, or half double crochets, in the popcorn stitch instead of using double crochets. Because of this, it’s technically in it’s own not so little popcorn stitch family.
I personally would also put this stitch in a raised poof of texture family. This includes the puff stitch, the Elizabeth stitch, the bean stitch, and the bobble stitch. I know this is a somewhat controversial thought process because these stitches are all made using completely different techniques. But I like to live dangerously, so say what you will.
If you’re following a pattern that says to make the popcorn stitch differently, then be sure to follow your pattern as the designer intended. This is the method I prefer to use.
Supplies
- Yarn
- Hook
- Snips
- Yarn or tapestry needle
Abbreviations
- Dc = Double crochet
- Ch = chain
- Sc = Single crochet
- Slst = Slip stitch
- St = stitch
- <> = total number of stitches in row
The Crochet Popcorn Stitch Pattern
This stitch can be worked in any odd number of stitches. (7,9,11, 13, etc.)
Foundation row. Ch 12.
Row 1. Work 1 sc in the second ch from the hook, put 1 sc in each st. <11>
Row 2. Ch 3 (this counts as a Dc), turn, *in the next st put 5 Dcs in the same sc, take your hook out of the working loop, put it in the top of the first Dc, hook onto the working loop, pull it through like a slst, and ch 1 to secure it,*
put a Dc in the next st, repeat from *-* across the row ending on a Dc. <5 popcorn sts and 6>
Row 3. Ch 1, turn, put 1 sc in each st.<11>
Tip: Work only into the ch that you made to seal the popcorn st and the Dc so you don’t have extra sts in this row.
Row 4-7. Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice, or until desired length.
Weaving in the ends
Snip your tail and tie it off. Use a yarn needle to sew in your tails. Go back and forth in the work using your needle to secure it.
Here’s a few examples of what it looks like when you change the amount of double crochets in the stitch.
Be sure to experiment and have fun with it when you learn a new stitch. I personally like the 4 Dcs one. What do you think? What would you use the crochet popcorn stitch on? Let me know it the comments.
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This written pattern and all it’s photos are copyrighted by Becka Hons, please do not take them and use them as your own work. Please link back to this page if you wish to share it.