The crochet popcorn stitch (abbreviated as PC) is a variation of the bobble stitch and such a fun way to add texture to your crochet patterns. In this photo tutorial, we’ll go through the ways it’s demonstrated in patterns and how to make it! Ready to learn? Let’s dive in.
The popcorn stitch will often appear in patterns written like this:
Popcorn Stitch (PC)
Work 5 dc in next st, drop lp from hook, insert hook from front to back through top of first st made, place dropped lp on hook and pull through st, ch 1.
There are also multiple variations, depending on the pattern. Here are some examples:
3 Double Crochet Popcorn (3dcPC)
Work 3 dc into ring or sp, drop lp of last tr, insert hook from front to back of first dc and through back of lp on last dc, yo, pull through all lps on hook, ch 1 to close dcPC.
Reverse popcorn (RPC)
Work 5 dc in dc, drop lp from hook, insert hook from back to front through top of first st made, place dropped lp on hook and pull through st, ch 1.
Popcorn V-stitch
(popcorn, ch 3, popcorn) in the next v-stitch.
But aren’t popcorn stitches the same thing as bobbles or puff stitches? Not quite. Popcorns are different than bobbles and puffs; they look acorn-like because the stitches are completed and not held on the hook. Popcorns are closed at the top by removing the hook from the last stitch worked, inserting it into the first stitch of the popcorn cluster and pulling the last live stitch loop through the first stitch.
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Now that we’ve explained the differences between puff, bobbles and popcorn stitches — are you ready to learn how to crochet the popcorn stitch? Keep reading!
How To Do a Popcorn Stitch in Crochet
Follow along with this photo tutorial and try out the popcorn stitch for yourself! Then be sure to check out some of our favorite patterns at the end that are popcorn stitch friendly.
The Popcorn Stitch
- Work a complete double crochet in the stitch indicated.
- Repeat the above instruction for as many double crochets as is called for in the pattern instructions (as shown, I am making a five double crochet popcorn). Note all stitches are the same.
- After the last double crochet is complete, remove the hook from the live loop and place your hook through the top of the first double crochet in the popcorn.
- Now place the hook back into the live loop of the last double crochet and pull it through the first double crochet.
- Notice how the completed popcorn is raised up from the crochet fabric.
Thank you for clear instructions on how to do the crochet popcorn stitch the correct way.
Hello. I was wondering, how would you figure a chain count if you were making your own blanket, for example, with say a 5dc popcorn stitch across. Does that make sense? Lol. Would you figure 5chains ending up as 1 stitch? Thanks so much!!
I’ve been doing the stitch incorrectly all these years! Thanks so much for clarifying the proper way to do it!
This was a very good explanation and image of the popcorn stitch.