5 Stitch Garter Bobble
There are tons of ways to make bobbles. In general, to create a bobble you rapidly increase into a single stitch, work these stitches for two or more rows and then decrease them back to one stitch. Here’s our 5-stitch garter Bobble tutorial, where we show you how to do it.
Step-By-Step Instructions
With the right side facing you, knit into the stitch where you’d like your bobble, keeping the stitch on the left needle, yarn over and knit into the same stitch again, yarn over and knit into the stitch for a third time.
You now have 5 stitches where you initially had one.
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing you.
Knit the 5 bobble stitches.
Turn the work so the right side is facing you.
Knit the first two bobble stitches together. Place this stitch back onto the left needle.
Pass the remaining three stitches, one at a time, over the knit-together stitch and off the needle, as if to bind off.
Knit the remaining bobble stitch, returning it to the right needle.
For a project full of bobbles, check out Laura’s Bobble Sheep Pillow right HERE!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I am somewhat of a plain jane knitter. I love this pillow, but do you not recommend it for my skills?
I love… this pillow! 🙂 Again… thank you for sharing your creations! 🙂
This is a great pillow. Is the pattern no longer available? I couldn't seem to locate a link.
Hi everybody at Purl Soho!
First of all thank you so much for all your inspirational posts about knitting!
For this one, is it possible to do it with Cascade Magnum as well?
Thank you very much and a belated happy new year to you!
Linda
Hi Linda-
Thank you!
Sure, you could use Magnum but you will need to use larger needles and the finished sheep will be a bit larger. It's certainly worth doing a gauge swatch!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
I found the actual link that show all the details.
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2013/3/3/lauras-loop-bobble-sheep-pillow.html
hi there,
thank you so much for the beautiful pillow pattern.
i am trying to work on it, but i don't seem to get the bobble right.
i don't quiet know how to continue after knitting into the first stitch and pulling the yarn over. i can't make another knit stitch since the yarn is not on the right side.
do you have a more detailed tutorial for the bobble?
thank you so much in advance.
best
Hi Kay.
Unfortunately this is our only tutorial on this bobble. Let's try and figure this out though…
After you have increased on the right side and have 5 stitches, you…
Turn the work so the wrong side is facing you. Then you…
Knit the 5 bobble stitches. Then, once more…
Turn the work so the right side is facing you.
With the right side facing you…
Knit the first two bobble stitches together. This is like any normal k2tog, but then you move that stitch back back onto the left needle. Next…
Pass the remaining three stitches, one at a time, over the knit-together stitch and off the left needle. You do this by using the tip of your right needle to pick them up and pass them over and off, one at a time. Next…
Knit the remaining bobble stitch. This will return it to the right needle.
Does this help at all?!?!
Please write me back with any questions.
Laura
How many stitches do you knit between every bobble? 🙂
It doesn’t look like more than 2-3 stitches since the bobble are so close together.
Hugs
Frida
http://www.fridaspeach.wordpress.com
Hi Frida!
The bobble pattern pictured in this tutorial is from our Bobble Sheep Pillow. There are 3 stitches between each bobble.
Find the full pattern here!
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/03/03/lauras-loop-bobble-sheep-pillow/
Thomas
Wow! I love this pillow! I want an entire flock of these in my house. I will have to work up the courage to try the bobble stitch.
Is it possible to make it smaller? I’d love to do a flock of different sizes. Thanks!
Hi SUsan,
Thank you for the comment! I’m a little confused about what your referring to. If you would like to make various sized bobbles you will simply make more/less stitches when you knit into the bobble stitch. If you would like to make various sizes of the Bobble Sheep Pillow it will take quite a bit of pattern alterations to figure out the correct proportions. If you are comfortable reconfiguring knitting patterns by all means go for it! Unfortunately it is too time consuming for us to write out a new pattern for you but we are happy to help if you have any questions along the way!
I hope this helps and please don’t hesitate to respond if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Just use smaller needles and lighter weight of wool
Hi Christina,
Thanks for responding! That would be a great way to make a smaller version of the project!
I hope it works out!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
quisiera saber como se llama la puntada con la que se hace la oveja y quisiera saber si hay tutorial en espanol, gracias
Hi Emma,
Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately we cannot translate our patterns or tutorials because we do not have authors who are proficient enough in other languages to properly translate them. I apologize for the inconvenience and I recommend trying an online translator to get an idea of the instructions!
Goodluck!
Jake
Gracias por el comentario! Desafortunadamente, no podemos traducir nuestros patrones o tutoriales porque no tenemos autores que son lo suficientemente competentes en otros idiomas para traducir adecuadamente. Pido disculpas por las molestias y recomiendo probar un traductor en línea para tener una idea de las instrucciones!
Buena Suerte!
Would you please make a video tutorial for this stitch? Also, do you have a pattern for a knit bearded bobble/hat pattern? It seems that your bobble pattern makes a really pretty bobble compared to some others I’ve seen.
Thanks!
Hello Julia!
We’re so glad that you like our bobble instructions! Unfortunately we don’t have a video tutorial in the works or a pattern for a knit beard hat. I’m sure you could find one on Ravelry and apply our bobble to the pattern if you prefer! So sorry we can’t be of more help! Best of luck! -Alyson
Hi, I was wondering – after you knit two together for the bobble and move back to the left needle – do you pick that stitch up knitwise or purlwise to move it? Thank you!
Hi, Sarah!
Thank you so much for writing in! Sorry about the delayed response, let’s see if we can figure this out. After you have increased on the right side and have 5 stitches, you’ll turn the work so that the wrong side is facing you. Then you knit the 5 bobble stitches. Then turn the work so the right side is facing you and with the right side facing you, knit the first two bobble stitches together. This is like any normal k2tog, but then you move that stitch back back onto the left needle.
Next pass the remaining three stitches, one at a time, over the knit-together stitch and off the left needle. You do this by using the tip of your right needle to pick them up and pass them over and off, one at a time. Next knit the remaining bobble stitch. This will return it to the right needle. Does this help clear things up? Please let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
Hi! I´m from Portugal, dont you have a video?
Thanks.
Hi Filipa,
Thanks for your question! We do not currently have a video for this technique but we will keep your request in mind for the future!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I’m following the instructions for the bobble and seem to have a large hole beside the bobble. What am i doing wrong?
Hi Alice,
Thanks for writing in. So sorry you are having some gapping! While there can be a small amount of gapping, there shouldn’t be a large hole. Please make sure that you are keeping your tension tight and even as you knit your first stitch and do the subsequent yarn overs. Also, as you knit into the same stitch for a third time, take it off the left hand needle. I hope I’ve helped! Good luck!
Best,
Adam
I have tried to follow the instructions for this bobble so many times…but I cannot seem to get it right. Would you consider making a video tutorial? This is such a beautiful bobble! So much nicer than the ones I have been making. Thanks!
Hello Elisa,
Thank you for writing in! I am sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with the bobble. I will definitely pass along your suggestion and I am certain others in our crafting community would benefit from such a tutorial. Again, thank you for you writing in and please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I just finished the head and wondering if I should stuff it a bit with some polyfil before closing with the kitchener stitch.
Thanks
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for writing in! We did not stuff the head of our sweet bobble sheep but we have seen people who have. The choice is up to you but either way, the result should be delightful!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi,
I absolutely LOVE this pattern! I too, am having difficulty with knitting it particularly the bobbles. A video tutorial would definitely be helpful.
Hi Annette,
Thanks for writing in and for the kind words! We will certainly keep your request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
I have tried and tried and tried with all different weights of wool and size of needles, but my bobbles are always baggy with large loops. Help please.
Hi Jayne,
Thanks for writing in! Bobbles can take some getting used to. The turning back and forth of the work can sometimes boggle the gauge of experienced knitters. That said, based on your comment, it sounds as though you may need to pull your yarn a bit tighter as you turn your work back and forth creating the bobble. This should make the bobbles less baggy and a bit more structural.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I have tried and tried and tried to make my bobbles look like yours. But every time, and using various methods, they are ugly and stick out badly. Also there are always large gaps next to them that I cannot tighten.
I’ve tried different yarns and different size needles, always the same.
Help please
Thank you
Hi Jayne,
I’m so sorry you are having trouble with this! If you try pulling up on the yarn (pulling the yarn toward the ceiling) for that initial stitch, you might have more success in closing that hole. Also, it depends on the yarn you are using. Bobbles look great when knitted tightly using woolly fibers that fill in after wet blocking. That being said, I would try this on a woolly yarn and block it to see if the stitch definition gets better.
Thanks!
Adam
Will try and try again. It will not get the better of me. Thank you.
Hi! I was making a sample of the bobbles before starting the actual bobble sheep, and I found that there were pretty huge holes on the sides of the bobbles. Should I wrap and turn when knitting on the wrong side of the bobble or just knit more tightly?
Hello Alvina,
Thanks for reaching out! This sounds like it could be a gauge issue. I would try going down in needle size and see if that helps. If this doesn’t resolve the issue let me know!
Warmly,
Marilla
Do you have this pattern in crochet?? I have loved this sheep for a loooooong time but was too timid to try knitting it. Crochet seems easier to me. Many thanks. Eileen
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for reaching out! We do not currently have a crochet pattern for the Bobble Sheep but we will definitely keep your request in mind for future projects! If you decide to try your hand at knitting the sheep we are always here to help!
Best,
Julianna
Hello again,
I apologize for sending another message, but I’m still REALLY confused with how to make these bobbles.
After reading some of the comments on this page and the sheep pattern page, it might be worth everyone’s while / thoroughly beneficial for many of us if you’d consider the possibility of making a short tutorial video on how such an advanced pattern concept as these bobbles are made.
While the instructions paired with the photos are helpful, it’s only to a certain degree, and are limited in they’re ability to fully assist in teaching the concepts involved. Because of this, they are also not entirely accessible for people attempting to grasp the concept of how to make the bobbles for the first time with success.
I’ve been a knitter for several years and despite that amount of time, I’m by no means an expert. Though I’ve made bobble stitches in the past, this would be the first in which I’m truly stumped / can’t figure my way out of it / lost concept of the process because it went straight over my head.
However, I still enjoy trying to challenge myself with new and fun patterns such as the bobble sheep pattern you’ve made and I’m looking forward to figuring out how to make it look as beautifully as they do in the pictures you’ve posted 🙂
So any type of assistance or insight into this would matter be tremendously appreciated (and a breath of relief, to say the least)!
In the meantime, I thank you for your time and consideration, and I can’t wait to learn how to make these sheep bobbles once and for all! 🙂
Kind regards,
Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for writing in and sharing your insights! We will certainly keep your request in mind for the future! In the mean time, my best advice would be to write out each step of the bobble on a piece of paper with plenty of blank lines between each step so you can easily focus on one step at a time without getting confused by the other steps.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Come on guys…. Please make a video for the bobbles! So many of us have purchased the kit and judging from the comments are struggling. I seem to have an extra stitch after my bobble.
Hello Angie,
Thank you for reaching out. While we don’t currently have the resources to produce a video, I will certainly pass along your request! I hope I can help. Just to clarify, after completing your bobble you have two stitches instead of 1? After you have knit your 5 stitches for your bobble, you knit the first two bobble stitches together and place this stitch back onto the left needle. Then you pass the remaining three stitches, one at a time, over the knit-together stitch and off the needle, as if to bind off.
I hope this helps and let us know if you continue to have any issues.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Ageeed!! Video tutorials for this would be most welcomed!!
Did you ever do a video for the
Bobble stitch?
Hi Rosalinda,
Thanks for reaching out! At present we don’t have the resources to do a video tutorial of this. We will add your voice to those requesting a video!
Best,
Julianna
How do you count stitches to check your gauge when you are knitting popcorn stitch? Do you count the number of bobbles per inch? I am finding it hard to count the actual stitches after the pattern is knitted. Thank you.
Hi Donna,
Thanks for reaching out! Most of the time patterns that include bobbles will not include the bobbles in the gauge – for instance, our Bobble Sheep is covered in bobbles, but the gauge measurement is given for plain garter and stockinette stitch only. If they do, the gauge measurement will state how many bobbles and stitches should be in the measurement, but this is unusual and I have only seen it in crochet patterns, where the bobble is a special single stitch.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Thank you! That makes sense…
Donna Kaniss
Hi all!
For everyone who is having trouble with the bobbles: I took the directions to my LYS and they helped me work it out. May work for some of you too?
I’ve just started the bobble sheep and I already have a question. Row 5 is not making sense to me. Should there be 3 stitches between every bobble. If so help me understand the second part of the instructions. mB knit 3 repeat to 3 stitches before marker. It reads to MB again knit 2 Make 1 that’s three. So how do I get the three stitches between bobbles. It looks like I’m making two bobbles together. Please help me on this. Thanks so much.
Hi Marlene,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you should have three stitches between each bobble. When reading this pattern, the stitches between the asterisks are repeated within the larger repeat outlined by the brackets, so after working M1L, k2 once at the beginning of the row, you will repeat *MB, k3* until you are 3 stitches before the next marker. You will then work MB, k2, m1R, sm, k2 once before repeating all the way back to the first bracket, starting with M1L, k2 once, then repeating *MB, k3* until 3 stitches before the next marker.
I hope that clears things up, and let us know if you run into any other questions!
Julianna
Hi there ! I REALLY love this Bobble Sheep Patter……BUT…. I am a Granny and not quite an expert in knitting. I really want to offer this pillow to one of my grand kids. The only thing is there are some explanations I don’t get. Ex: I got the Provisional CO down, but the following …I don’t get. Do I really have to CO ON 3 DPN’s? Can’t I just go straight to the circulars?
Then, I don’ t understand the line: (P2, pm, K2) 2 times. Do you mean P21, k2, k2, P21, k2 at the end? And, should I only have 2 markers on my needles? Next: You say to make the Face, ears & tail before stuffing the body. If I do that, how do I sew them to the body. One side will be hard to do that,…no?
I am sorry if I have soooo many questions, but like I mentioned above….I REALLY want to get this right.
Thanks so much for your time & effort.
Take care & happy knitting,
Susan D
Next:
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! The opening at the cast on of the sheep is too small to stretch around a 24 inch needle; however, if you have a 16 inch needle or are familiar with the magic loop method, you could skip the double pointed needles. Many times throughout this pattern you will run into rows with repeats, and you will always repeat everything within the brackets. For Round 2, that means you will p21, place a marker, k2, and then p21, place a marker, k2. You will then have 3 markers total, including the beginning of round marker.
All of the features of the sheep are worked by picking up stitches directly from the knitted body, rather than knitting them separately and then sewing them on, so it’s much easier to do so before stuffing the sheep, although not impossible to do after stuffing! I hope that clears up everything so far, but please don’t hesitate to let us know if you run into any more questions!
Best,
Julianna
I just started making your bobble border blanket. I got through the first row of bobbles and can make them alright but the yarn between the bobbles shows on the right side. I’m not sure how to get it to the wrong side. Can you please clarify?
Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for reaching out! I am happy to help figure this one out, would you mind sending a photo of your work to our email [email protected] and we can troubleshoot further from there!
Warmly,
Gianna
Pease make A video,! I cannot make this bobble!!
Hi Sophie,
Thanks for reaching out and thank you for expressing your interest! I will be sure to pass this along to the rest of the team!
Warmly,
Gianna
There is a video “how to make a bobble stitch” on youtube that seems to be this particular bobble. I thought it was helpful after trying to figure out this stitch. I love the pillow! Hope I can figure it out. I just started knitting and made your baby socks for my first project. I love your patterns!! And I’ve learned so much from your tutorials. Thank you so much!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your feedback! I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying our patterns and tutorials, and that you’re having success with the bobbles. Let me know if you have any questions I can help you with as you get farther into the pattern!
All the best,
Kelsey
One other thing–the 5 stitches you end up with will be on your right needle–you just leave the one stitch on the left and knit into it 3 times and then move it to the right hand needle with the rest of the stitches. I was trying to get all 5 stitches on the left needle. Maybe that sounds dumb, but after I realized the stitches go on the right hand needle it was easier to figure out.
Thanks again!
Hello. I am about to start this pillow. My bobbles are coming out good in practice but there is a space below the bobble. I am thinking I need to go down one needle size to a size 10? Would that tighten up my stitches? FYI, I often have to go down a size needle bc of my tension. I think I have my answer but maybe I’m not doing something right. Thank you for your expertise.
Hi Liane,
Thanks for reaching out! I would try going down in needle size, especially if you typically work in a smaller needle size due to tension! This should help tighten up the stitches!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi, I love the bobble sheep pattern! I found the instructions quite clear… except that every time I make a bobble it comes out on the back of the knitting instead of the front. I completed the pattern like this and then just turned the whole sheep body inside-out, which worked alright, except that the strips of knitting that are visible are now the back side of the stockinette, which is a little weird. Did this happen to anybody else? Any advice on what I’m doing wrong? 🙂
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out! That is very interesting, I haven’t heard of this happening before! My best guess would be that for some reason you are working the bobbles on the reverse side of the fabric rather than the right side. If you would like, you can email some photos of your sheep to our team at [email protected] and they can troubleshoot further from there!
All the best,
Gianna
Would there happen to be a video tutorial of how to do the bobble stitch in this way? (Either one by Purl Soho or a detailed video tutorial that you could recommend that would achieve the same effect for this bobble?)
It seems like the steps are fairly specific and though I know there is more than one method to make a bobble, I want to make sure / confirm that I’m doing it correctly for this project.
Much thanks in advance!
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for reaching out! We do not offer a video tutorial for the bobble, only the photo tutorial here. If there is a specific part of the process that you find confusing, I am more than happy to help explain in more detail, or you can sign up for a Zoom meeting with one of our customer service team members though our 1-On-1 Project Help!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I love making bobbles!!! So much fun!!!
Hello, I was wondering if you have the bobble sheep pattern written to knit it flat. Thank you, Emilita.
Hi Emilita,
Thank you for writing in! I’m afraid we do not have the Bobble Sheep Pattern available as a flat knitting pattern. I would be happy to answer any questions for you should you give the pattern a try though!
All the best,
Gavriella