How to Crochet Bobble Letters
Have you ever wanted to add a name of words to your crochet project? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll teach you how to add letters to your project when working in rows.
Make Your Chart
Before we can start crocheting, you need to chart out your letters! There are a few options. I use Excel because I’m an elder Millenial, but you can also use graph (mathematics) paper or even Stitch Fiddle. For Excel, I change the column and row widths to make little squares like in the image.
Now that you have your graph, you need to choose your letter font. You can chart the letters yourself or you can find a cross-stitch alphabet (like the Cross Stitch Letter Generator from Sun Catcher Studio). I find that letters that are a max of 5 stitches wide work the best for small projects like washcloths.
The most important part of charting bobble letters is the spacing. You need to leave 1 row and 1 stitch between the bobbles. This gives the bobble space so you can actually read them. The bobbles should all be on the WRONG side of the work so that they’ll pop out onto the RIGHT side. I like to have my bobbles on even numbered rows.
Reading the Chart
After you’ve finished your chart, you need to learn how to read it.
You’ll be working back and forth in rows.
If you’re right-handed, start on the bottom right side of the chart, reading right to left (read in the opposite direction if you’re left-handed). Row 2 will be read from left to right. Row 3 right to left, etc.
Our example is 13 stitches wide and 13 rows. Each white square is a single crochet and each black square is a bobble. The bobble start on Row 4 in our example. Tip: Add numbers (like in our chart) for each row to help you remember which direction you’re working.
So, let’s read the first 4 rows together:
Row 1: Chain 14, starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, single crochet in the back bump of each chain (13)
Row 2 – 3: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch
Row 4: 5 single crochet, BOBBLE, 1 single crochet, BOBBLE, 1 single crochet, BOBBLE, 3 single crochet
Bobble Stitch
Let’s have a refresher on the Bobble Stitch.
Bobbles are basically a series of unfinished US double crochet stitches.
Depending on the pattern and your preference, the Bobble can be 3 – 5 unfinished stitches.
I prefer to use a 4 dc bobble so they stick out nicely from the fabric.
To make a Bobble:
*yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over pull through 2 loops * (repeat a total of 4 times), yarn over, pull through remaining 5 loops on hook
Extra Trips:
- Stitch Fiddle: If you have a subscription to Stitch Fiddle, you can create a written pattern instead of following the chart.
- Straight Edges: If you’re having a hard time keeping your edges straight, put a stitch marker in the 1st and last stitch of each row. This will help you identify where you start and finish. Most edges get wobbly because you are either accidentally skipping or adding a stitch.
- Hook & Yarn: For washcloths, cotton yarn works the best. My favourite cotton is KnitPicks Dishie (no affiliation). Experiment with your hook size. I like to use a 4 or 4.5mm hook. You don’t want the fabric to be too stiff or too loose.
If you’ve made your own projects and charts from our tutorial, we’d love to see them.
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Can’t be bothered making your own charts? We have patterns available on Ravelry and our website:
