There are many ways to bring texture to your crochet and one of the most interesting and adaptable stitches is the Bobble Stitch. This is one of a family of stitches which form a raised bobbles or lumps and bumps on your work. These bobbles are formed by part forming a number of stitches and then crocheting them together to form a bump. This is emphasized by using a shorter stitch on either side. The bobbles can be formed using any of the main crochet stitches however a good way to start is by using the Double Crochet stitch (Note: This is in US crochet terms, for crocheters elsewhere please substitute Treble Crochet for US Double Crochet; and Double Crochet for US Single Crochet). Bobble Stitch is different to other stitches such as Puff Stitch and Popcorn Stitch.

The stitch can be varied in a number of ways, using longer stitches will form a more raised bobble, using a greater number of stitches for form the bobble will create a larger �bump�, and likewise using less or shorter stitches will give a more gentle overall finished effect. The differences are illustrated in the photograph at the top of the page.

Instructions.

Make a foundation row of single crochet, make two turning chain, work a couple of single crochet and then form a bobble.
Wrap yarn round the hook, put the hook through the next stitch, wrap yarn around the hook once more and draw the yarn back through the stitch (you will have three loops on the hook), wrap yarn round the hook and draw through the first two loops on the hook leaving you with two loops on the hook.

Repeat this another four times (which will give you a total of six loops on the hook - see illustration [A]). Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw through the loops (see illustration [B]). *

This will form a bobble � if necessary poke the bobble so it pokes out on the right side of the work. Work a single crochet then repeat from * to * to form another bobble.

Try varying this by making a bobble out of 3 stitches, working a Double Crochet between the stitches or placing the bobbles randomly throughout the work or a combination of these!

Bobbles can add interest to any work and added texture could be gained by working the bobbles in a complementary yarn to the rest of the work � for instance working the bobbles in mohair to provide additional contrast against a plain wool background.

Bobbles work great in free form crochet and some really good examples can be seen in Sylvia Cosh�s work and feature in her book �The Crochet Sweater Book�.

I�d be interested to know of any other uses for Bobble Stitch and how you use it. Do pop into the forum and let me know!

The bag in the photograph has been worked using Bobble Stitch and Single Crochet