This website uses US crochet terminology.
Puff Stitches
Puff stitches are decorative stitches that add a third dimension to a crochet piece.
Depending on their placement, puff stitches can be used to create a pattern, to enhance a specific look or they can be part of a stitch arrangement.
Puff vs Popcorn
Puff and popcorn stitches are similar in looks, but quite different in the making.
While popcorn stitches are a ‘bunch of stitches bundled together’, puff stitches are made by a ‘bunch of yarn overs’.
Due to their construction, puff stitches often look neater on their ‘wrong side’ and might need to be ‘popped’ forward if they are supposed to show up on the side on which they have been made.
Both stitches have one thing in common: they can easily be adapted in size by either making more double crochets or trebles (popcorn stitch) or more yarn overs (puff stitch).
They tend to use up quite a bit of yarn, especially compared to simpler and flatter stitches, but the effects can be great with either stitch.
The advantage of puff stitches over popcorn stitches is that ‘puffs’ can be worked quicker than ‘popcorns’ and that they look ‘smoother’ (if that is what someone is looking for).
Three ways of closing the puff stitch
There are different ways of closing the puff stitch, each with its specific effect.
The video below shows these options:
- yarning over and pulling through ALL (7 or 9) loops on the hook, continuing in the next stitch
- yarning over and pulling through the first (6 or 8) loops on the hook, leaving the last two loops on the hook (the one that already was on the hook and the one that is the ‘pulled through’ loop), then yarning over again and pulling through those last two loops, continuing with the next stitch
- pulling through ALL (7 or 9) loops on the hook, closing the stitch with a chain, continuing with the next stitch
Puff Stitch with 3 closing options RH
Puff Stitch with 3 closing options RH
Puff stitch with 3 closing options
A puff stitch is easy to make.
Puff stitches with closing options left to right (shown on the “wrong side”):
- last yarn over through all loops
- keep 2 loops on hook, yo and pull through the last 2 loops
- last yarn over through all loops plus closing chain
Closing option 1
Closing option 2
Closing option 3
Closing options comparison
Option 1:
-very decorative stitch;
-puff stitch will lean to the side after the next stitch is made;
-just one definite pair of loops associated with the stitch (easy to identify top of the stitch);
-much volume at the top of the stitch
-leaning to the side might not be desirable;
-stitch appears ‘open’ or ‘unfinished’;
-stitch is wide at the top
Typically used in blankets as a/the main decorative stitch where the leaning to the side is the main feature of the stitch and only puff stitches are used
Option 2:
– very decorative, puff stitch will lean to the side after the next stitch is made;
-much volume at the top of the stitch
-stitch is leaning to one side (might not be desirable);
-much volume at the top of the stitch
Typically used in blankets along with other stitches in the same round/row or rounds/rows above/below
Option 3:
-puff stitch is standing straight between other stitches; can be made to lean in a certain direction or stay straight, i.e. two puff stitches can lean away from or toward each other;
-stitch is ‘slim’ at the top
-two top loops are associated with the stitch and care must be taken to choose the appropriate loop pair in order to work symmetrically;
-loss of volume at the top of the stitch
Typically used in corners,; flexible to be used in any other fashion
How to work the Puff Stitch in the corner
insert hook in corner (indicated)
yo and pull through, pull the loop up to the desired height
(3 loops on the hook)
repeat previous step 2 or 3 more times
(7 / 9 loops on the hook)
yo and pull through all loops
(for closing option 2 – alternatively choose another closing option)
close with a chain
(for closing option 2 – alternatively choose another closing option)
ch2 and make another puff stitch into the same corner space