How To: Modified Bobble Stitch

  Soon there will be a new free crochet pattern available using this stitch, so this time, I wanted to get a tutorial together before the pattern gets published. What you're about to learn is a double crochet bobble stitch that's actually more like a linked double-crochet-two-together (dc2tog) and dc3tog. If that sounds complicated, then forget that I said it, because it's just a dc5tog in one stitch, with one extra step.



  Did I create this stitch? It's probably been done before, but I've never seen it in a book or pattern. When you create a dc5tog bobble normally, it is slightly triangular and leans a tiny bit. I wanted a stitch that leaned less, plus with a rounded, more symmetrical side. This is what I came up with:

  It's very, very close to a normal double crochet bobble stitch. But at the end of the tutorial, I'll show you this modified stitch next to a basic bobble, and you'll see the difference.




  Follow along to learn the modified stitch, as well as see how I'll be using it in the upcoming free crochet pattern. If you want to use this stitch in your own designs, you can skip some of the beginning and the end of the tutorial, because you can use this stitch in any pattern you want. For those of you who need help with the Scarf of the Month pattern, keep going to see how the alternating mesh pattern is created. Let's get started!

The pattern row begins with chain (ch) 3, to count as the first double crochet (dc). (For following the Scarf of the Month pattern, you may want to mark this as your turning chain.)

Chain 3 more to continue the row. This will be for all odd numbered rows in the pattern.

For the pattern, skip the next 3 stitches. Yarn over, insert the hook in the next stitch, pull up a loop.

Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook. (2 loops remaining.) - First time

Yarn over, insert the hook in the same stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook. (3 loops remaining.) - Second time

Yarn over, insert the hook in the same stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook. (4 loops remaining.) - Third time

Yarn over, insert the hook in the same stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook. (5 loops remaining.) - Fourth time

Yarn over, insert the hook in the same stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on the hook. (6 loops remaining) - Fifth time

Now, this is where the stitch differs from a regular bobble. Yarn over, and pull through 2 loops on the hook. (5 loops remaining.) This is what turns the last part of the stitch into a double-crochet-two-together (dc2tog) before completing the bobble.

Now, yarn over, and pull through the remaining 5 loops on the hook to complete the bobble.
The stitch I created here is a bit sloppy looking, because I didn't keep my tension even while taking photos. Let me redo that one without taking pictures:

That's better! Now you can see how the stitch is very much like a regular bobble, but the left side rounds out symmetrically like the right side.

To continue with the Scarf of the Month pattern tutorial, you will chain 3, skip 3, then make another modified bobble.

In odd numbered rows, there will be three bobbles in the row. Chain 3 and end the row with a dc.

To make the pattern easier: Each modified bobble in the row will be placed in the center chain of the ch-3 between stitches. 

Even numbered rows will have four modified bobbles in a row. To begin the row, ch 4 (to count as a dc and ch-1).

Skip one and make a modified bobble in the next stitch. Remember, in case you have trouble counting the first stitch, make the bobble in the center chain of the ch-3.

Even numbered rows could seem a little tricky for beginners, because the row almost looks finished after the fourth bobble.

Chain 1, skip 1, and make a dc to end the row.

Here you can see a modified bobble and a standard bobble together. The stitch on the right is the modified bobble with the symmetrical sides. The stitch on the left is a regular bobble, made by pulling through all 6 loops on the last step. The modified stitch is a bit puffier and doesn't lean to the right like the standard bobble.

The standard bobble stitch is a bit of a yarn-eater to begin with, and the modified bobble uses just a bit more with its extra step. Although it looks neat all squished together in a solid pattern, I've combined it with some lacy chains to take up a little less yarn in this pattern. Even with the openwork, this stitch still adds a ton of texture!

   Because it's made into only one stitch, this modified bobble can be used practically anywhere in a pattern - just beware that your yarn will disappear quickly! Have fun experimenting using this stitch in your own ways. 

Happy Crocheting!