Bobble, Popcorn, and Puff Crochet Stitches

The bobble, popcorn, and puff crochet stitches are often confused with each other, and it’s easy to see why. They all create a 3D stitch that adds a fun texture to your projects, and can look pretty similar.

If you’ve ever mixed them up, or have no idea what they are, don’t worry! Even experienced crocheters mix them up! (Hi!)

In today’s post I’ll show you how to crochet all three. There’s also a video tutorial at the bottom of the page.

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A Pinterest graphic with black text on a pink background that reads, "On the blog. Bobble, popcorn, and puff crochet stitches: What's the difference? squishyandco.com". Below that is a photo showing three crochet swatches made in yellow, aqua, and pink yarn. Below the photo text reads, "Photo and video tutorial."

It’s important to note that there are a lot of variations of these stitches. If you’re using a pattern that calls for the bobble, popcorn, or puff stitches, be sure to check the notes! The designer will let you know the way the stitches should be worked.

If you’d like to see more textured stitches, check out my post on front and back post double crochets.

Set Up

Begin with a chain of 14, or any even number. Single crochet into the second chain from the hook and each stitch across. Chain 1, turn your work, and single crochet into the first stitch. Work your bobble, popcorn, or puff into the next stitch, single crochet in the following stitch. Repeat that across, chain 1, turn, and single crochet back to the end of the row.

How to Crochet the Bobble Stitch

A photo showing a bobble stitch crochet swatch made in bright yellow yarn. — Bobble Stitch

The bobble stitch is a raised stitch created by working 5 incomplete double crochets into one stitch, and then combining them into one. The bobble stitch is usually worked on the wrong of the fabric. The wrong side will be flat, and the front will have your bobbles.

Bobble Stitch: Yarn over, insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through two loops. You should have 2 loops on your hook. Working in the same stitch, repeat that 4 more times until you have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over, and draw through all 6 loops.

A photo showing the first step of the bobble stitch from the back of the work made in bright yellow yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Two loops on hook

A photo showing the second step from the back of the work made in bright yellow yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Repeat until you have 6 loops on hook

A photo showing the final step from the back of the work made in bright yellow yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Yarn over, draw through all loops

How to Crochet the Popcorn Stitch

The popcorn stitch is created by working 5 double crochets into one stitch, and then joining the first and last stitch into one. I usually see the popcorn stitch worked on the wrong side of the fabric, but it can also easily be worked on the right side. I’ll show you how.

A photo showing a popcorn stitch crochet swatch made in aqua yarn. — Popcorn Stitch

Popcorn Stitch: Work 5 double crochets into the next stitch. Remove your hook from the last stitch, leaving a loop big enough to easily grab later. Insert your hook in the top of the first double crochet from back to front. Place the loop you dropped back on your hook, and pull it through the first stitch.

If you need to work the popcorn stitch from the right side, you will insert your hook from front to back.

A photo showing the first step of the popcorn stitch from the back of the work made in aqua yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Double crochet 5 times in next stitch.

A photo showing the second step from the back of the work made in aqua yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Remove hook and insert in first stitch from back to front.

A photo showing the third step from the back of the work made in aqua yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Place dropped loop back on hook.

A photo showing the final step from the back of the work made in aqua yarn with a blue crochet hook. — Pull through first stitch.

How to Crochet the Puff Stitch

The puff stitch is created by drawing up multiple loops (think of it like the first part of a half double crochet) in the same stitch, and then closing it off into one stitch. They are also usually worked on the wrong side of the fabric.

A photo showing a puff stitch crochet swatch made in pink yarn. — Puff Stitch

Puff Stitch: Yarn over, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, draw up up a loop. (3 loops on hook.) Continuing in the same stitch, repeat that 4 more times until you have 11 loops on your hook. Yarn over, draw through all 11 loops.

Pro Tip: The puff stitch can be difficult to draw your hook through. I have found it’s much easier if you draw each loop up to the height of the row (no tight loops!). You can then pinch the base of the puff and pull down as you draw your hook through. It still gets snagged sometimes, but this trick helps a lot!