This month is all about creating the classic look of bobbles! There are so many stitches that incorporate bobbles into their design that a column of stitch tutorials would be remiss not to include them. After playing with many different types of bobbles, I came up with a version that is nice and plump and provides that wonderful “pop” that they are famous for. The steps involved in creating these happy little bumps are broken down in written and video format, and the bobbles are then inserted into two repeating patterns for your enjoyment.
We have changed the format just a little bit for our Stitchology Column. Each of the featured stitches will be explained row by row via both written and video instructions. We will be focusing on highlighting the repeating stitch pattern itself, so that you can enjoy the freedom of putting these new stitch patterns to use in your own projects as creativity strikes. We hope you will enjoy this new way of learning new stitches with us! 🙂
Find all the previous Stitchology Columns at this link here.
Special Stitch Instructions
When the pattern uses the term “knit” or “k”, please use the true knit stitch or the u-stitch, not the e-wrap, unless otherwise stated.
Abbreviations
K,k: knit
P,p: purl
KO: knit off (lift bottom loop(s) over top loop and completely over the top of the peg)
WY: working yarn
HH: half hitch (create a loop with WY by twisting in opposite way than when making an EW and place on peg. The WY will be coming from underneath the twist rather than on top.)
rep: repeat.
Chart Key for Repeating Pattern Rows
Steps to Create a Bobble (Bobbles can be worked going in either direction on the loom…Simply number the bobble pegs 1-3 in the order they are worked in the first bobble step.):
Step 1: k3
Step 2: move the loop from peg 1 to peg 2. Move the loop from peg 3 also to peg 2. KO 2 loops over 1 on peg 2.
Step 3: HH onto peg 3, k peg 2, HH onto peg 1.
Step 4: (k3) repeat 3 times, will end on peg 3.
Step 5: move the loop from peg 1 to peg 2. Move the loop from peg 3 also to peg 2. KO 2 loops over 1 on peg 2.
Step 6: reach down at the back side of the work and pull up the 3 loops from the base of the bobble that were knit in Step 1 and place them back onto pegs 1-3.
Step 7: WY will be coming from peg 2. K peg 3. Continue with remainder of row.
Step 8: Knit next row of pattern, KO 2 loops over 1 on peg 2 of bobble.
Here’s a video of just the steps to make a bobble:
Working Bobbles into a Basic Stitch
This basic stitch uses a multiple of 9 pegs x 9 rows. The bobble itself requires 3 pegs and is worked on Row 5 only. The extra pegs and rows around these 3 bobble pegs act as a buffer between the bobbles when repeated. The number of “buffer” pegs and rows can be adjusted as desired to meet the needs of the project.
(Cast on from left to right/counter clockwise a number divisible by 9. Begin 1st Row from right to left/clockwise):
Rows 1-4: k9
Row 5: k3, create bobble, k3.
Row 6: k4, k 2 loops as one on peg 5, k4.
Rows 7-9: k9
Bobble & Seeds Repeating Pattern
To work this pattern in the round, such as for a hat, use the Repeating Pattern Rows chart, and make sure to read it from right to left for each row, rather than alternating sides each time. Also, cast onto your loom in a clockwise direction, using a number of pegs that is divisible by 22—the number of stitches required for each pattern repeat.
Working as a flat panel (Cast on from left to right/counter clockwise a number divisible by 22. Begin 1st Row from right to left/clockwise):
Rows 1-4: *k11, p1, k9, p1, rep from * to end.
Row 5: *k4, create bobble, k4, p1, k3, create bobble, k3, p1, rep from * to end.
Rows 6-9: Repeat Rows 1-4.
Rows 10 & 11: *k1, p1, rep from * to end.
Rows 12-15: Repeat Rows 1-4.
Row 16: Repeat Row 5.
Rows 17-20: Repeat Rows 1-4.
Rows 21 & 22: Repeat Rows 10 & 11.
Rep rows 1-22 for desired length.
Repeating Pattern for working in the round (Begin from right to left/clockwise, cast on a number divisible by 22):
Rounds 1-4: Repeat the following 2 row pattern:
Round A:*k11, p1, k9, p1, rep from * to end.
Round B: *p1, k9, p1, k11, rep from * to end.
Round 5: *k4, create bobble, k4, p1, k3, create bobble, k3, p1, rep from * to end.
Rounds 6-9: Repeat the following 2 row pattern:
Round C: *p1, k9, p1, k11, rep from * to end.
Round D: *k11, p1, k9, p1, rep from * to end.
Round 10: *p1, k1, rep from * to end.
Round 11: *k1, p1, rep from * to end.
Rounds 12-15: Repeat Rounds 6-9.
Round 16: *p1, k3, create bobble, k3, p1, k4, create bobble, k4, rep from * to end.
Rounds 17-20: Repeat Rounds 1-4.
Round 21: *k1, p1, rep from * to end.
Round 22: *p1, k1, rep from * to end.
Rep rows 1-22 for desired length.
Have questions or comments? Please feel free to leave a message for Bethany in the comments below.