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The crochet puff stitch is a cluster of tall loops pulled up into one stitch and closed with a single yarn over. The result is a soft, rounded bump. Worked in rows with a skipped stitch between puffs, it makes a thick, cushioned fabric with plenty of texture.
It's rated intermediate, but there's only one new motion to learn. If you can double crochet, you can puff. It suits anything that should feel plush: cowls, hats, and pillow covers.
The one thing that makes it work is pulling every loop up to the same height. Four even loops close into a neat puff; uneven loops close into a lumpy one.
Watch: Crochet Puff Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch how tall Mike pulls each loop, and how the chain 1 at the end locks the puff closed.
What You Need
Yarn: medium (worsted) weight, as the swatch calls for. Smooth, light-colored yarn shows the stitch best while you learn, because you can count all nine loops on the hook.
Hook: US H/5mm. Don't size down to tighten the puffs; it only makes the pull-through harder.
Abbreviations (US terms): ch – chain; st(s) – stitch(es); sl st – slip stitch; dc – double crochet; sk – skip; sp – space; yo – yarn over.
Stitch multiple: an even number of chains plus 3. The swatch uses 20 + 3 = 23 chains for 8 puffs.
Crochet Puff Stitch Written Pattern
Size: 6x6 inches
Gauge: 4" = 8 puff stitches | 8 rows
Yarn: medium weight yarn
Crochet hook: US H/5mm crochet hook
Abbreviations: Ch – chain; St(s) – stitch(es); Sl st – slip stitch; Dc – double crochet
Special stitch, Puff Stitch: [Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a tall loop (as tall as a double crochet stitch)] 4 times. Yarn over, pull through all 9 loops on hook, chain 1 to secure.
Foundation: Ch 20 or any even number of sts to measure 6" and add 3 more chain for the foundation.
Row 1: 1 puff stitch (see Special Stitch) in 4th chain from the hook, *sk 1 st, 1 puff st in the next st. Repeat from * across until last 2 sts. End with sk 1, 1 dc in last st. (8 puff sts)
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as a dc st), turn, 1 puff st in the first ch-1 space, *skip next puff st, 1 puff st in the next ch-1 sp. Repeat from * across. End with 1 dc in turning chain.
Repeat Row 2 for a total of 8 rows.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Block to 6x6 square.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Start like a double crochet. Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop as tall as a dc. You have 3 loops on the hook.
- Repeat into the same stitch three more times. Each pass adds two loops. After four passes you have 9 loops, all the same height.
- Close the puff. Yarn over and pull through all 9 loops, then chain 1. That chain locks the top of the puff and gives the next row a space to work into.
- Skip and repeat. Skip one stitch, then puff into the next. The skipped stitch gives each puff room to spread.
- Stack the rows. From Row 2 on, every puff goes into the chain-1 space between the puffs below, so each row nests into the gaps of the one beneath. That's the cobblestone look.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Count loops, not passes. Nine loops on the hook means four passes. Eleven means five, and that puff will be fatter than its neighbors.
- Pull the loops tall and loose. If closing the puff is a fight, your loops are too short or too tight.
- Don't skip the chain 1. It's part of the stitch. Without it the puff sags open and the next row has nothing to work into.
- Both sides look similar, but the side facing you as you close each puff is a bit rounder. Mark it with a stitch marker if it matters.
What to Make With the Puff Stitch
- Cowl or infinity scarf in worsted or bulky weight. The thickness is the point, and the puffs trap warm air.
- Beanie worked in rows and seamed, or in the round. Our guide to how to crochet a beanie covers sizing.
- Pillow cover front in worsted weight, with a plain dc back to keep the weight down.
Related Stitches
- Crochet Bobble Stitch — the puff's cousin, built from half-finished double crochets instead of pulled-up loops
- Crochet Mixed Cluster Stitch — another cluster texture, a good next step once puffs feel easy
- Double Crochet Stitch — the motion the puff is built on
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Puffs show best in a yarn with some body, so start with a worsted weight yarn. Once you're comfortable, try the stitch in recycled silk: the slight slub makes each puff look a little different, which suits scarves and shawls. Darn Good Yarn's silk is hand-dyed by artisans in India and comes in lace through bulky and super bulky weights.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Crochet Puff Stitch FAQ
What's the difference between a puff stitch and a bobble stitch?
A puff pulls up loose loops and closes them all at once. A bobble works several double crochets to their last step, then closes them. Bobbles are firmer; puffs are softer and rounder.
Does the puff stitch use a lot of yarn?
Yes. Each puff holds four loops' worth of yarn, so plan for more than you'd need for double crochet.
Is the puff stitch reversible?
Nearly. Both sides are bumpy, with one side slightly rounder. For a scarf or cowl, most people don't choose a right side.
