Ever wondered how to knit bobbles? You may have noticed…I love ’em. Bobbles pop up in all kinds of places in Cheryl’s world, on shawls, on mittens, even the yoke of a T-shirt or sweater. So, let’s take a minute and learn how to knit bobbles. CLICK HERE for a FREE downloadable PDF!
So, What’s a Bobble?
A bobble is a little cluster of stitches that stands up from the face of the fabric adding a three-dimensional element to knitted items. They impart a touch of whimsy and cheerfulness to knitted fabrics. Depending on how they’re made, bobbles can be small and subtle or very “center stage”. Bobbles can be used as an all-over effect, as a highlight to other knitted stitches or to add color to knitted work. They can be worked over Stockinette stitch, within cable patterns or over Garter stitch.
The Basics
How to Knit Bobbles? Here’s how. Bobbles follow a general method for construction, though there are many ways to knit them. Usually, they’re worked over three rows following a recipe like this…
- Multiple increases in a single stitch. (Sometime two if the bobble is very large.)
- Turn and work back across the new stitches.
- Multiple decreases to return the stitch count to normal
Very small, neat bobbles can be worked in a single row, (similar to a picot edge) like this…
- Add 3 or 4 new stitches to the left needle using a knitted cast on.
- Knit the new stitches.
- Cast the stitches off, leap-frogging one stitch over the previous stitch.
Instructions
Row Below Bobble: Gardenia Stole
This method is worked over three rows and makes for a very loose, airy bobble. You’ll notice that a small, open area occurs beneath the bobble itself. This technique is a good choice for lace projects like the Gardenia Stole.
- Row 1 (RS): P1, *k1 into 3rd st below next st on left needle, pull up a loop, yo; rep from * once more, k1 into 3rd st below and pull up a loop—5 sts worked from 3 rows below, drop the next st.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl.
- Row 3: Sl3 kwise all together, k2tog, p3sso.
Standard Three-Row Bobble: Fresh Snow, Martha, Bumble
Here’s how to knit my favorite bobbles. This method is also worked over three rows and involves making 3 or 4 stitches out of a single stitch. I find this makes a nice, firm bobble and is my go-to recipe.
- Row 1 (RS: (K1, p1) twice in the same st.
- Row 2 (WS): Turn. P4.
- Row 3: Turn. Sl 1, k3tog, psso.
Three-Row No-Turn Bobble: Ebb Tide
Here’s another type of three-row bobble. There is no turning involved; all stitches are worked from the right side. This creates a bobble that sits flatter because there is a full round of knitting between bobble operations. This is how to knit bobbles when you’re working in the round and a flatter bobble is desired. Notice how this bobble melts into the swirling cable in the Ebb Tide Mitts.
- Rnd 1: (K1, p1) twice, k1 in the same st, work to end of rnd.
- Rnd 2: Knit bobble sts, work to end of rnd.
- Rnd 3: K3tog, k2tog, pass k3tog over.
Five-Row Bobble, Yarn Over Method: Moonflower
For my upcoming Moonflower Tee and Moonflower Cardigan, I’ve used a five-row bobble. Aside from adding two rows to the process, the increases are a little different. Using yarn-overs rather than the standard knit-front-back produces a bobble that stands off the face of the fabric a bit more. The two extra rows make the bobble a little bigger.
- Row 1 (RS): (K1, yo) twice, k1.
- Row 2 (WS): Turn. P5.
- Row 3: Turn. K5.
- Row 4: Turn. P2tog, p1, p2tog.
- Row 5: Turn. Sl 2, k1, p2sso.
So there are a few ideas! I hope you’ll take up the challenge and learn how to knit bobbles. Add a fresh and fancy new element to your knits.
