- LevelIntermediate
- Time4-6 hours
- YarnWorsted
About This Pattern
There's something bubbly about this one, and I mean that literally. Each popcorn stitch pops off the surface like a little knot of texture, breaking up the flat calm of the single crochet rows around it. It's playful without being fussy, the kind of stitch pattern that makes people reach out and touch the fabric before they even ask what it is.
Your hands get a rhythm here: three single crochet, one popcorn, three single crochet, over and over. The popcorn stitch itself asks for a small pause every time, since you pull your hook out and reinsert it to close each bump. It's a satisfying little ritual once you've done it a few times, not fiddly, just deliberate.
Picture this draped over the arm of a couch or folded at the foot of a bed, the popcorn rows catching light from an angle. As a cushion cover it reads almost architectural, ridges of texture against a plain wall. As a dishcloth it's a small, cheerful thing to have in your hand at the sink.
This is a pattern I come back to when I want texture without a complicated stitch count to memorize. The repeat is short enough to hold in your head after one row, which frees you up to actually enjoy the making instead of counting under your breath.
- Start with a foundation row of single crochet worked across your starting chain to set the width.
- Turn your work and chain one before beginning the first popcorn row.
- Work three single crochet, then build a popcorn stitch by grouping double crochets into one stitch and closing it.
- Repeat the popcorn and single crochet sequence steadily across the row, ending on plain single crochet.
- Alternate a plain single crochet row with a popcorn row, turning your work at the end of each one.
- Keep repeating that two-row rhythm until the piece reaches the height you want for your project.
- Fasten off once you've reached your desired length.
- Weave in all loose ends with a tapestry needle to finish the piece cleanly.
On the desk
- Worsted weight yarn of your choice
- Corresponding crochet hook size (recommended on yarn label)
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Stitch shorthand
- ch — chain
- sc — single crochet
- dc — double crochet
- popcorn st — popcorn stitch (4 dc in same stitch, pulled together)
Beginner popcorn stitch pattern with easy single crochet rows
Main Pattern
- Foundation Chain
Chain 20 stitches.
- Row 1
Single Crochet Base Work 1 single crochet (sc) in the second chain from the hook.Continue with 1 sc in each remaining chain.
You should have 19 sc across the row.
Turn your work.
- Row 2
Popcorn Stitch Introduction Chain 1. Crochet 3 sc. *In the next stitch, make a popcorn stitch: Work 4 dc in the same stitch.Remove your hook from the last dc.
Insert the hook into the top of the first dc of the group.Pull the working loop through to close the popcorn.* Repeat: 1 popcorn stitch, then 3 sc across the row.End with 3 sc.Turn your work. - Row 3(19)
Reinforcement Row Chain 1. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch across (19 sc total).Turn your work.
- Row 4
Alternating Popcorn Pattern Chain 1. Start with 1 sc. Next stitch: popcorn stitch, then 1 sc.Repeat this sequence across.
End with 1 sc.Turn your work.Continue repeating Rows 1 through 4 until you reach your desired height.The sample shown uses 15 rows of popcorn patterns, alternating with 15 single crochet rows.Fasten off.Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.
More shots
Where it goes
- A textured scarf that pairs well with a plain wool coat, letting the popcorn rows be the only pattern in the outfit.
- A lap blanket for the couch, layered over a smooth knit throw so the two textures play off each other.
- A set of kitchen dishcloths, practical and quick to work up between bigger projects.
- A cushion cover for a reading chair, paired with plain linen cushions so the popcorn texture stands out.
Color ideas
- Tonal cream and oatmeal Work the single crochet rows in oatmeal and the popcorn rows in a slightly lighter cream so the bumps catch the light without shouting.
Care
Hand wash your finished piece in cool water with a mild detergent, since worsted weight yarn holds its shape best without hot water or heavy agitation.
Lay it flat on a towel to dry rather than hanging it, so the weight of the water doesn't stretch out the popcorn texture.
Store it folded rather than on a hanger, and give the popcorn rows a light shake or pat back into shape after storage if they've flattened.
Assembly
- Step 1 Fasten off.
- Step 2 Use a tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends.
Easy to get wrong
Popcorn stitch not closing snugly
Make sure you insert your hook into the top of the very first double crochet in the group of four before pulling the loop through. If it feels loose, tighten the working loop gently after closing rather than pulling hard on the yarn tail.
Losing count of the sc-popcorn repeat
Say the pattern out loud as you work, three single crochet then one popcorn, so your hands and your voice stay in sync. If you drift, count back to the last popcorn stitch, which is easy to spot, and recount from there.
Forgetting to turn work between rows
Get in the habit of turning your work the moment you finish the last stitch of a row, before you chain up for the next one. A dropped turn will throw off which side the popcorn stitches land on.
Between the songs
- What I love here is how much visual payoff you get from one uncomplicated technique. The popcorn stitch, four double crochets worked into a single stitch then closed by pulling the loop through the first one, gives you a raised bump that reads as intentional and structural, not accidental. Alternating those popcorn rows with plain single crochet rows means your eye gets a rest between each burst of texture, so the pattern never feels busy. I also like that the repeat, three single crochet then a popcorn, is short enough to memorize fast, which means your hands find their groove quickly. It's the kind of project where a beginner-friendly stitch count still produces something that looks like it took real skill.
Listener questions
Can I use this popcorn stitch pattern for a beginner project?
Yes, the repeat itself is simple once you've practiced the popcorn stitch a couple of times. I'd suggest working a small swatch first so your hands get comfortable with the four-double-crochet grouping before starting your actual project.
What yarn weight works best for this pattern?
Worsted weight yarn is what the pattern calls for, and it gives the popcorn stitches enough body to stand out clearly. A hook size to match your yarn label will keep your stitches even.
How do I make this piece bigger, like for a blanket?
Repeat the row sequence, alternating single crochet rows with popcorn rows, until you reach the height you want. The sample shown uses fifteen popcorn rows paired with fifteen single crochet rows, but you can go shorter or longer to suit your project.
Why does my popcorn stitch look flat instead of raised?
This usually means the loop wasn't pulled through tightly enough when closing the stitch, or the double crochets in the group were worked too loosely. Try snugging up your tension slightly on those four double crochets before closing the popcorn.
Can this stitch pattern work for a dishcloth?
Absolutely, it's listed as one of the suggested uses and the texture actually helps with scrubbing. Just keep the piece to a smaller, squarer shape by repeating fewer rows.
Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/how-to-crochet-cutest-popcorn-stitch-pattern-for-beginners/
About the Author
Marisol QuinteroWho runs Crochet Obsessed, why a stitch count sits at the end of every round, how a pattern gets written here, and the things this site will never do.
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