The puff stitch is a group of long loops pulled up in the same stitch and closed together at the top. It makes a soft, rounded bump with a lovely texture, and it is a favorite for blankets, baby items, hats and pillows. It looks complicated, but it uses only yarn overs and loops.
Here is how to make it in US crochet terms, plus tips for neat, even puffs.
How to make a puff stitch
- Yarn over and insert your hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. Pull it up to about the height of a double crochet. You now have 3 loops on your hook.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 in the same stitch, usually 2 to 4 more times, depending on your pattern. With 3 repeats in total you will have 7 loops on the hook; with 4 repeats, 9 loops.
- Yarn over and pull through all the loops on your hook.
- Chain 1 to close the puff, if your pattern says so. This chain locks the puff in place and is usually not counted as a stitch.
Always follow the number of repeats in your pattern: more repeats make a fuller puff.
Tips for neat, even puffs
- Pull every loop to the same height. Uneven loops make lumpy puffs.
- Keep your loops relaxed. Tight loops make it hard to pull through all of them at the end.
- Go up a hook size if you struggle to pull through the loops.
- Use smooth yarn. Fuzzy or splitty yarn makes it hard to see and pull through the loops.
- Count your loops before the last yarn over, at least for the first few puffs.
Puff, bobble and popcorn: what is the difference?
- Puff stitch: several long loops pulled up in one stitch and closed together. Soft and flat-topped.
- Bobble stitch: several unfinished double crochet stitches in one stitch, joined together at the top. Rounder and more raised.
- Popcorn stitch: several complete double crochet stitches in one stitch, then folded together so they pop out. The most raised of the three.
Where to use the puff stitch
- Blankets and throws with rows of texture
- Baby blankets and pillows
- Hats, headbands and bags
Our Cozy Puff Stitch blanket pattern uses the puff stitch in soft horizontal stripes of beige, blue and pink. It is rated beginner-friendly to intermediate and uses worsted (#4) yarn with 5 mm and 5.5 mm hooks, together with single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and front and back post double crochet.
Frequently asked questions
Is the puff stitch good for beginners?
Yes, once you are comfortable with yarn overs and pulling up loops. Practice on a small swatch first.
Does the puff stitch use a lot of yarn?
It uses more yarn than single or double crochet, because every puff is made of several long loops. Allow extra yarn for puff stitch projects.
Why are my puffs different sizes?
Usually the loops are pulled up to different heights. Try to make every loop the same height, about as tall as a double crochet.
More blanket ideas: our crochet blanket patterns. Not sure which hook to use? See the crochet hook size chart.