The difference between crochet bobbles, puffs, popcorn and cluster stitches

I love working with crochet bobbles, puffs, popcorns and cluster stitches. In short, anything that adds lots of texture is right up my streetI

Over time, I’ve have noticed that it can be hard to tell the difference between these different types of bobble stitches, and to work out which is the best stitch style to use in your crochet project. It can be kind of confusing, especially if you’re a beginner crocheter.

In this post, I will explain 4 different ways to crochet a bobble stitch and compare the difference between these types of bobble stitches.

I also include a written description for each of the methods and a link to a bobble stitch tutorial for each one (which includes a step by step photo and video tutorial)

I have see the various names for these circular, ball shaped, protruding crochet stitches used so interchangeably over the years that it got me wondering if there was an ‘correct’ term for the different kinds of crochet bobbles.

So when I set about getting some clarification on the different crochet terminology, I ended up down a rabbit hole trying to find the definitive difference and wrote this post instead! (Spoiler – there isn’t a definitive answer so this is my best assessment!)

What is a crochet bobble?

What all these stitches do have in common (and probably why they are so often confused) is that they all involve working multiple stitches or parts of stitches (often incomplete double crochets) into the same stitch or space to create a stitch which stands out from the fabric in a 3d, rounded shape.

Below you can read my definition of each of these stitch types but I want to say that you are welcome to disagree.

There does not seem to be a hard and fast definition, so I have gone with the majority consensus from the multiple resources I have looked at and what makes most sense to me.

As far as I’m concerned, as long as a designer clearly explains what they mean by a certain special stitch type, they can call it Bernard if it makes them happy! (I mean not really, but you get the point right?!)

Bobble Stitch Swatches

I have crocheted a swatch for each of the stitch types using the same bobble stitch patterns so that you can compare the options like for like.

Below you can see all four swatches laid out together which gives you a good idea of how they differ (and are alike). Some of these bobbles can be used interchangeably in crochet patterns, others have more specific properties that might be unique to the crochet pattern you’re working.

From top left to bottom right, you are looking at puff stitch, bobble stitch, cluster stitch and finally popcorn stitch.

I’ve worked these textured bobble stitches against a a background of half double crochet (UK half treble), either with bobbles next to one another or separated by a half double crochet. Each bobble row is followed by a half double crochet row as bobbles are crocheted on the wrong side.

This was done this intentionally so you can see how the stitches work in different combinations.

When crocheting bobbles in your own patterns or projects, you can work them between double crochet stitches or single crochet stitches, or other crochet stitches as desired. With a shorter stitch either side of the bobble, it will pop out more.

You’ll also notice how the swatches get a little narrower towards the top. I have left them unblocked because it’s useful to bear in mind the impact on tension when you’re working with textured bobble / puff / cluster / popcorn stitches.

I’ve also included a picture of the back of the swatches so you can see how stitches look on the wrong side (and therefore how important wrong and right sides are when it comes to bobbles). In all of these examples the bobbles have been crocheted on the wrong side of the work so that you can see the bobble pop out on the right side of the work.

Below you will see a written instructions for, and a description of each stitch as well as a link to the full tutorial. At the end of the review I have also included a short video guide where I compare the 4 styles of bobble stitch as I think it’s useful to see the crochet fabric moving too.

For all of the swatches, I have repeated each partial stitch in [square brackets] 4 times so that you can make a balanced comparison.

If you remember earlier in this article, I mentioned that bobbles all work multiple stitches in the same place, so here I’m working 4 repeats. You could repeat the instruction 3 or 5 times (or as many as needed), depending on the effect you want to achieve – the more repeats, the bigger your stitch.

Finally, I’ve also included an example of a crochet pattern which uses each kind of bobble stitch. This can show you how crochet bobbles work with colour changes very effectively as well as providing texture.

Okay, now that’s settled, lets get to it!

How to Crochet the Classic Bobble Stitch (bo or bbl)

This is probably the most generic term and often used to describe what I refer to as clusters (which I discuss later). The bobble stitch I describe below is also often referred to as a puff stitch – I will tackle puffs and clusters next.

You can find a full written, photo and video tutorial for this classic style of crochet bobble stitch here.

Crochet bobble stitch written instructions:

[Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop] 4 times (9 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all the loops on your hook to complete the stitch.

The more repeats, the more pronounced the bobble.

Bobbles tend to be worked on the wrong side row so they protrude to the front (right side). However, they will still make an interesting pattern on the back.

I used these type of bobble stitches in my I Made This Blanket and the Lean on Me Cushion.

Below you see the classic bobble stitch used in the Lean on Me Cushion. Here it’s worked in the pink yarn to create lettering and to add a trim round the edge.

How to Crochet the Puff Stitch (ps or puff)

The puff stitch is, essentially, the same as the bobble but with a chain 1 added before moving on to the next stitch.

You can find a full written, video and photo crochet tutorials for the puff stitch here.

This ‘seals’ the stitch and provides a little more movement in the fabric after you draw your yarn through all the loops.

Puff Stitch written instructions:

[Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up loop] 4 times (9 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all the loops on your hook, chain 1 to complete the stitch.

Puffs can be worked on either side of the fabric. I prefer the right side look but there isn’t a huge amount of difference and it can vary with crochet style.

It’s important that when you are working into the top of a row of puff stitches, you work into just the chain 1, not both the chain one and the part of the stitch where you pull through the loops, otherwise you will end up doubling your stitch count.

My favourite way to work puff stitch is in rows, on it’s own.

It’s quite the yarn eater but makes a fantastic thick fabric with lots of drape (not a common combination).

The classic crochet puff stitch is a bit different from the other stitches when crocheted up this way, which is why I made another swatch to show it off.

Below you see the puff stitch as worked with granny strip in the Granny Dot hat and scarf set.

How to Crochet Cluster Stitches (cl or clst)

These are often referred to as bobbles, but are quite different to the types of bobble stitches already described.

You can find a full written, photo and video tutorial for the cluster style bobble stitch here.

In this example, the cluster is essentially a dc4tog (that’s a US double crochet 4 together) worked into the same stitch. Sometimes this might be called a ‘dc cluster,’ a ‘4dc cluster’ or some other similar abbreviation like dc-cl.

Crochet clusters can be worked with pretty much any stitch type (single, half double, double treble etc.) and any number of repeats.

Cluster Stitch written instructions:

[Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over pull up a loop, yarn over pull through 2 loops] 4 times in the same stitch (5 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 5 loops to complete the stitch.

Like most of these textured stitches, clusters should always be worked on the wrong side of your project. They will pop out away from you, onto the right or ‘public’ side of the fabric.

The Bobble Pop blanket uses cluster style bobble stitches:

How to Crochet the Popcorn Stitch (po or pop)

Finally, we come to the popcorn stitch, which is little more clearly defined. (Full disclosure, this is my current favourite thanks to the the Festoon Shawl Pattern!)

You can find a full written, photo and video tutorial for the popcorn stitch here.

It can be a bit fiddly, so I’ve broken this stitch description down into step-by-step instructions, but is very effective. Once you get into it, it’s a very satisfying stitch to work.

The crochet popcorn stitch is probably the type of bobble that protrudes away from the fabric the most out of all of the varieties.

It really does create a lovely tactile crochet fabric.

Popcorn Stitch instructions:

• Work 4 double crochet (UK treble) (or more if you want more pop) into the same stitch
• Loosen the last loop on your hook so it’s about the height of a double crochet, and remove the hook
• Insert your hook from back to front through the top of the first double crochet you made
• Catch the loose loop you just left, and pull it through the first stitch from front to back to complete the stitch

Popcorn stitches as described above should be worked on the wrong side as the ‘pop’ goes away from you as you work.

If you want the pops to point the other way then insert the hook from front to back (i.e. moving away from you) so that the stitch pops towards you. You may need to manually pop it through here however (and I’m never convinced it looks quite as good, but that’s another swatch or two to make!)

Once again, you can change the type of stitch (e.g. use trebles) and the number of repeats to suit your needs but the technique remains the same across different crochet stitches.

And there we end the whistle stop tour of crochet bobble stitches.

I hope you have found it useful and are a more clear about the crochet bobble stitch types available to you.

Please feel free to share this post with your friends or on socials. And most importantly, have fun playing with texture!

Happy Hooking

Dora x