Bobble Stitch Crochet: How to Make Perfect Bobbles
A bobble is five unfinished double crochets in one stitch, closed together into a round bump. Learn the exact steps, why bobbles go on wrong-side rows, a practice swatch, and how bobbles differ from puffs and popcorns.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton or acrylic, about 30 yd for a swatch
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Finished size
- Swatch about 4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm)
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) yarn — about 30 yd
- 5 mm (H-8) hook
- Tapestry needle
In this post
A crochet bobble is five double crochets worked into the same stitch but not finished, then closed together. Each unfinished dc leaves one loop on the hook, so you end with six loops and pull through all of them at once. Because bobbles pop out on the side facing away from you, they're worked on wrong-side rows between rows of single crochet.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
How to make a bobble (5-dc bobble)
- Yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). That's one unfinished double crochet.
- Repeat steps 1–2 four more times in the same stitch, adding one loop each time (6 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops.
- Optional: ch 1 to lock the bobble closed. If the pattern doesn't say, skip it.
Practice swatch
- Row 1 (right side): Ch 18. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (17)
- Row 2 (wrong side): Sc 2, *bobble in the next, sc 3* 3 times, bobble in the next, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (17, 4 bobbles)
- Row 3: Sc in each st across (sc into the top of each bobble). Ch 1, turn. (17)
- Row 4: Sc 4, *bobble, sc 3* 3 times, sc 1 — the bobbles sit between the ones below. Ch 1, turn. (17, 3 bobbles)
- Row 5: Sc across.
- Rows 6–13: Repeat Rows 2–5 twice.
Bobble vs puff vs popcorn vs cluster
| Stitch | How | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bobble | 5 unfinished dc in one stitch, closed together | Round bump, pops out on the far side |
| Puff | 3–4 loose yarn-over loops in one stitch, pulled through all | Soft oval, lies flatter |
| Popcorn | 5 complete dc in one stitch, folded closed | Very raised, firm |
| Cluster | Unfinished dc worked in different stitches, closed together | Decrease shape, flat |
Where to use bobbles
- The bands of a boho wall hanging.
- A bobble heart on a hot water bottle cover or pillow.
- Bobble rows on a baby blanket border.
Common questions
Why are my bobbles on the wrong side?
Bobbles push out away from you. Work them on wrong-side rows so they show on the right side, or turn the fabric over and use that as the front.
How many double crochets make a bobble?
Usually five. Three or four make a smaller bobble; six or seven make a very puffy one.
Do bobbles use a lot of yarn?
Yes — about three times as much as a plain stitch. Bobble blankets need more yarn than the size suggests.
Bobbles or puffs — which do you prefer? 🫧
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