The Bead Stitch – A free how to crochet tutorial

The bead stitch: another great textured stitch to add to your crochet library. This is not a difficult stitch to learn so don’t be intimidated by it’s appearance; in fact I was amazed at how simple it actually was once I put my yarn and hook to practice. The bead stitch does use up some yarn, but it creates a beautiful textured fabric that can be used in a variety of projects.

The bead stitch is worked in two parts: first a double crochet. Then the bead that is created by working around your initial double crochet. If you have made a bobble or puff, this stitch will be a breeze. If this is your first textured stitch, don’t worry, you’ll get this one down with a few practice tries.

Grab some yarn of your choice and a hook that is appropriate for your yarn and we’ll get started. I’m using Hobby Lobby’s “I love this yarn” in Terra-cotta and my favorite hooks- Clove Amour- size 5.5mm (I).

The Tutorial:

We will work our bead stitches on alternate rows with a solid row of single crochet in between. This row of single crochet gives us a solid base to work the bead stitches from.

The bead stitch takes up the same width as two stitches so you will want to make a swatch with an even number of stitches. To start, create an odd numbered chain and single crochet in the 2nd ch and each ch across.

EX:

ch 21, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each across (20 sc)

Now onto your 2nd row. This is where we start the bead stiches.

Chain 2 and turn.

Skip the first st and double crochet into the next. *Remember: that DC is the first step to every bead stitch.

Then yarn over and insert your hook in the space behind the DC you just made.

Yarn over and pull up a loop. You should have 3 loops on your hook.

Yarn over and insert your hook in the same place. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Now you should have 5 loops.

Yarn over and insert your hook (for the 3rd time). Yarn over and pull up a loop. Now you should have 7 loops on your hook.

Yarn over and pull through the first 6 loops. You will be left with two loops on your hook.

Yarn over and pull through the remain two loops to finish your stitch.

You did it!! There’s your first bead stitch!! Skip the next stitch and double crochet into the next to start your 2nd bead stitch.

Continue in this pattern until you reach the end of the row.

End your row with just a double crochet instead of bead stitch. This will keep things even on both ends.

Chain 1 and turn. Single crochet across the entire row. *Remember that bead stitches take up the space of two regular stitches- you will be making two single crochets per bead stitch. When you reach the end of the row, place your last single crochet in the chain space from the previous row.

Now you can continue with another row of bead stitches. Keep repeating in alternating rows until you’ve got it mastered.

That’s it! A lot easier than you thought, huh?

I hope you enjoyed learning this new stitch with me.