One of the amazing things about crochet is just how many stitches there are. Of course, this can make it tricky to identify stitches sometimes. One of the most common crossovers is between the puff stitch, bobble stitch and popcorn stitch. All designed to create a raised, bump on the fabric, these stitches are fun, attractive and…REALLY difficult to tell apart!
It’s such a common trouble, that I actually wrote a blog on the differences between the three back in 2018. If you’re wondering what the differences are between the three stitches, you should check that out, Puff, Bobble and Popcorn Stitches.
Pattern Use Ideas
Pattern Notes
Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms below.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Stitch Multiple: 2 +2
This pattern gives you the basic principles for the puff stitch, designed to help you create your own projects.
The video tutorial can be found at the base of the post.
Convert Pattern Terms
Here you can quickly switch between UK and US crochet terms. This will make following the pattern easier as all terms will be converted to your preferred version.
Terms & Abbreviations
Chain (ch): Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook
Slip Stitch(s): ss(s): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
Double Crochet(s): dc(s): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.
Special Stitches
Puff Stitch: (PS): Insert hook into st, yo, pull through st and bring up to height of loop, [yo, insert hook into same st, yo and pull through st] twice (6 loops on hook), yo and draw through all 6 loops on hook, 1 ch to secure the st.
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. Learn more about the eBook here.
Puff Stitch Pattern
You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.
Chain in multiples of 2 + 2
Chain in multiples of 2 + 2
Row 1 (RS): Dc in second ch from hook (skipped chain does not count as st), dc in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): 1 ch (does not count as st here or throughout), dc in first st, *PS in next st, dc in next st, rep from * across. Turn.
Row 3: 1 ch, dc in each st across. Turn.
Rep Rows 2 and 3 until desired height.
Final Row: Rep Row 2.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Pin for Later
Video Tutorials
Right-handed
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”OnmIAB0w” upload-date=”2025-03-26T09:13:47+00:00″ name=”CROCHET_ Puff, Bobble & Popcorn Stitch | Bella Coco.mp4″ description=”null” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Or you can watch on YouTube
Left-handed
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”g29f8hNe” upload-date=”2025-03-26T09:13:47+00:00″ name=”LEFT HANDED CROCHET_ Puff, Bobble & Popcorn Stitch | Bella Coco.mp4″ description=”null” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Or you can watch on YouTube
I always love to see your makes so if you try any of my patterns or follow my stitch tutorials please tag me @bellacococrochet or use the #bellacococrochet
sarah-jayne
Hmm…I don’t think my first comment went through.
At any rate I really like this tutorial though I am having difficulties with the tension, it is hard to do repeated yarn-overs then try to pull the hook through the multiple loops. It doesn’t slide as readily as yours does but then again you make it look so easy cuz’ you’ve been doing this for quite some time too. I used a 6 mm bamboo needle and thought that maybe switching to metal would be easier but sadly, it was not.
Also I appreciate your diction, it is easy to understand and you do not talk too fast which is helpful when a beginner like myself is trying to learn these things
I have used your YouTube channel to learn how to crochet, I’m following my first ever pattern!! I need to understand how to do a back post puff stitch. I’m struggling to find a video for this.
I’m so happy to hear that you’ve found my tutorials helpful and are now following your first pattern I don’t have a tutorial for this stitch specifically but you can see how to make back post stitches on my basketweave tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpKQaEfiZvk&t=689s and how to make puff stitches on my tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct3TvXeHCkc&t=242s so hopefully these will give you some pointers. When a pattern says to work a back post stitch it is simply referring to where we should place our hook – in this case we are working around the actual post of the stitch and not into the top as normal. Hope this helps