How to Crochet the Popcorn Stitch

The Popcorn Stitch is a fun, decorative way to add pizzazz to your next crocheted piece. This stitch is abbreviated as “Pop” or “pc” and adds a round ball or oval that looks like a popped popcorn kernel – hence the name. Let’s learn this fun crochet stitch!

Popcorn Stitch Crochet Tutorial

The popcorn stitch consists of double crochet stitches that are cinched together at the end. You can make a popcorn stitch using 3, 4, 5, 6, or even 7 double crochets. The more you add, the more pronounced your popcorn will be. For this tutorial we are using 5 double crochet stitches to make each popcorn stitch.

To make the Popcorn Stitch:

Make five double crochet stitches in the designated stitch.

Pull the loop a bit so that it does not unravel.

Insert your hook in the first double crochet made. Hook the loop left on the 5th double crochet and pull it through the loop.

That’s it! If this sounds difficult, I promise it is not. See the VIDEO tutorial below for further clarification.

Video tutorial:

Questions About the Popcorn Stitch:

1. Can you add just one popcorn or do you have to do many?

Yes! You can add a single popcorn stitch wherever you like in your next project.

2. Can the popcorn be a different color?

Absolutely. You’ll want to change color right before starting the first double crochet of the “popcorn” and change back in the last pull through of the last double crochet – before pulling the loop through to form the kernel.

3. Can you use popcorn stitches to make a crochet graph?

You sure can! Typically when used in graphs, popcorn stitches are separated by a row of shorter crochet stitches, usually Half Double Crochet or Single Crochet. You will also typically find that the popcorns are separated by another “plain” crochet stitch. To practice the Popcorn stitch in a super small, easy-to-crochet graph, you’ll want to look for the October Cloth in my 2020 cloth series. 😉

4. Can popcorn stitches “pop” out one way or the other?

For sure. If you need your popcorns to be facing you, insert the hook front to back to pull through that last loop. (see video) If you need your popcorns to be facing away from you, you will need to insert the hook from back to front before pulling the last loop through. This is particularly helpful when crocheting a piece with popcorn stitches on each row while turning your work at the end of each row. This ensures that all of the popcorns will be facing the same direction, and not backwards.

5. Can you make smaller or larger popcorn stitches?

Popcorn stitches can be smaller or larger depending on how many double crochets you make before “popping” the stitches out. If you have only 3 or 4 double crochets as opposed to 6 or 7, the popcorn will understandably be smaller.

6. What is the difference between a Popcorn and a Bobble?

In the Popcorn stitch the double crochets are all completed before being connected and “popping” them out. In the Bobble Stitch, each of the double crochet stitches are only partially completed, meaning that they are all connected and form a more perfect sphere. You can easily spot the difference by the shape of the finished stitch. Popcorn stitches have a bit of an opening at the top while Bobble Stitches do not.

Do you love this stitch? I hope you do! It adds so much fun and texture to crochet, great for baby blankets or graphs, or even washcloths! 😉