Our tutorial will explain step-by-step how to knit bobble stitches.
You will be able to add bobbles to all of your knitting projects.
Keep reading to find out how!
Knitting Bobble Stitch
The knitting bobble stitch is a great way to add three-dimensional flair to your projects. Particularly popular on sweaters, but equally as fun added to many other garments, blankets, hats and scarves.
The bobble stitch boils down to a group of stitches together to create the little ball-like collection of increasing and decreasing stitches in the end.
Bobble stitch is added to the project as you go, so you need to plan ahead a little if you want to add them to your work.
How To Knit The Bobble Stitch
There are three different methods for knitting bobble stitch. It doesn’t matter which you choose, but they do look slightly different, so be sure to use the same method throughout your project.
Method 1
Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1. All in the same stitch.
Method 2
Knit into the front, the back, the front, the back, the front, all in the same stitch.
Method 3
Knit, purl, knit, purl, knit, all in the same stitch.
Bobbles are generally added to projects knitted in stockinette stitch, but that isn’t an absolute requirement.
To break this down a little more, let’s look at how to knit a larger bobble stitch, and then we will look at how to knit a smaller bobble stitch.
For a Larger Bobble Stitch
- Once you get to a point where you want to add a bobble, begin by increasing ONE stitch to FIVE stitches. You will do this by knitting into a single stitch, front, back, front, back, and front, then pull stitch off the left needle.
- Purl across those five stitches. TURN AGAIN. Knit across the five stitches. TURN. Purl across the five stitches. TURN. Knit across the five stitches one last time.
- Now you will decrease down to ONE stitch. Just slip the SECOND stitch on the RIGHT needle over the FIRST stitch FOUR TIMES. You’ve just knitted a bobble!
For a Smaller Bobble Stitch
- Here you will increase ONE stitch to FOUR stitches (instead of 5). This is done by knitting into a single stitch, front, back, front, back. Pull that stitch off the left needle.
- Purl across the four stitches. TURN. Knit across the four stitches.
- Next you will slip the second stitch on the RIGHT needle over the first stitch THREE TIMES to decrease down to one.
The knitting bobble stitch can be used sparingly as a decoration or abundantly to create a really interesting texture.
Take a look at our bobble stitch scarf pattern here!
Another great pattern is this handbag, utilizing so many bobbles.
For more help, check out this video tutorial here!
The knitting bobble stitch is a must know for any knitter. It is a lot of fun and adds interest to many knitted pieces. Try one of the patterns above and practice knitting the bobble stitch.