IT’S SO PUFFY!!!!
Ready to learn about a simple, but fun stitch that literally adds dimension to your crochet work? Meet the Puff Stitch!
About the Puff Stitch
The Puff Stitch is a series of half double crochets that are all started in the same stitch, but then finished when one loop is brought through all loops on the hook.
But don’t confuse the Puff Stitch for the Bobble or Popcorn stitches! They are similar but differ slightly in their construction, flexibility, yardage used, and softness. Out of the three stitches, the Puff stitches offers moderate flexibility, uses the least amount of yarn, and is the softest!
Unlike other stitches that create dimension on your make, the puff stitch does not have a wrong or right side. This makes it handy for when you need to have the puff on back-to-back rows. It can also be used as an embellishment when making garments, blankets, accessories. Some designs have even used the puff stitch to create unique designs like letters and words!
The size of the puff can be easily customized depending on how many stitches you make and leave on your hook before completing the stitch. Typically it is a grouping of three or more half-double crochets, but it can also be made with double crochets or treble crochets. Don’t forget to keep your tension light as it will help create the shape of the puff. Otherwise, if your tension is too tight, it will squish the puff. Don’t squish your Puff!
It’s so Puffy – Let’s get started!
Materials
- Yarn
- Crochet Hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
In the tutorial below I am using Mayflower Easy Care Classic (DK weight) yarn and a 4.5 mm hook.
As mentioned above, the puff stitch is super versatile and can be used in a variety of ways! The swatch instructions below are to show how to work the puff stitch and to showcase all its puffy glory! Check out the patterns below to see how the puff stitch can be customized within the pattern!
To start: Either foundation single crochet any odd number of stitches or chain any odd number of stitches plus one for your turning chain, turn, and single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across.
Step 1: Chain 1, Single Crochet in the first stitch.
Note: Steps 2 – 4 are the Puff Stitch.
Step 2: Yarn over and insert the hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through the stitch. You have three loops on the hook.
Step 3: *Yarn over and insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through the stitch* two more times so that you have a total of seven loops on your hook.
Step 4: Yarn over and pull a loop through all loops on the hook.
Step 5: Repeat the Single Crochet and Puff Stitch (steps 2 – 4 above) across the row, ending on a Single Crochet. Turn.
Step 6: Single Crochet across.
Step 7: Chain 1, *Puff Stitch , Single Crochet* across. Turn.
Repeat steps 6 and 7 until your swatch has reached the desired height. Bind off and weave in ends.
Woohoo! You’ve completed a swatch using the Puff Stitch!
Need to follow along instead? Use the video tutorial below.
Some free patterns that use the Puff Stitch
TLYarn Crafts designed a potholder that almost exclusively uses the puff stitch! This potholder is beginner friendly and is a unique hexagonal shape. It makes a great gift and can be customized to be larger and used as a trivet.
Daisy Farm Crafts has several blanket patterns on her blog that feature the Puff Stitch, all in different ways! The Colorful Puffs Baby Blanket is so fun and playful!
I love beanies, and this puffy pattern is available in several different weights (Stitch and Hustle got it right when they said, “Happiness in a lightweight slouch hat for all seasons”).
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