Knitting Stitches – Bobbles

This is the fifth square from my knitting blanket project. I chose bobbles especially for Val. Just to show that it is easier than it looks. I’ve done these once before as part of a couple of aran cardigans that I made for the girls.

At the time, I had made lots of aran jumpers, so cabling was a breeze, but I wasn’t sure about the bobble stitch. Knitting several stitches into one stitch seemed daunting. In reality, it really isn’t that hard (as you can see I managed a good column of them going up the sleeves). It’s a question of leaving the stitch on the left hand needle (that’s right hand needle for left handed knitters) and carry on knitting into it.

When I started this square, I thought  a large area of bobbles would be too much visually, but I think that this would make a lovely scarf, hat or little cardigan. Once I was in a rhythm, the bobbles were easy, but obviously slow down the knitting.

Bubbly Bobbles  Pattern

Cast on 41 stitches. Needles 4.5mm. DK yarn

repeat stitches between * till the end or last stitches

Abbreviation: P (purl), K (Knit), Yo ( yarn over), K2tog (knit 2 stitches together), P2tog (purl 2 stitches together), psso (pass slipped stitch over the knitted stitch), s1s (slip one stitch)

Row 1 to 5 : knit

Row 6: *K5, make bobble*, K5

Bobble row 1:  repeat 3 times (Yo, K1) into the same stitch, turn the whole piece round and work just with these six stitches.

Bobble row 2: sl1, P5. Turn whole piece round again

Bobble row 3: sl1, K5. Turn whole piece round again

Bobble row 4: *P2tog* (six bobble stitches become 3)

Bobble row 5: sl1, K2tog, psso (this completes the bobble, go back to the row 6 instructions)

Row 7:  Knit (try purling the one remaining bobble stitch – seems to stop the bobble sinking)

Row 8 to 11: knit

Row 12: knit 8, *make bobble, K5*, make bobble, knit last 2

Repeat these 12 rows.

I repeated these 12 rows twelve times to make the square.

Can’t resist including this photo…..

Our mole problem is back. They are busy making mole hills all over the back garden. If our soil was blue, which it obviously is not, then this might be a knitted version of it at the moment. I’m smiling, albeit through gritted teeth.

10 comments

    1. If my husband is reading this, I wouldn’t bother clicking on the link. Not funny. Nothing new.

      (Hushed voice – Omg! That is funny. Just how a mole gets to you. You’ll try almost any method, in the vain hope, the little critter doesn’t undermine the veg patch again. 200 windmills, I ask you, ….. hmm……how much would that cost,….. I wonder…..)

      Promise to wait until you mention the bobbles!

  1. Don’t worry about the moles…you’d totally be making a mountain out of a mole hill. Ok, sorry for my really silly humour.
    I love your bobbles. I wish I could knit. Maybe one day I will learn!
    And I LOVE your chook. Aren’t chooks so cuddly?

    1. Thanks Rachel. My children think the hens are cuddly too. I have to remind them sometimes, that the hens can walk for themselves.

  2. I love your blog – I found it when I was looking for some knitting squares to keep my friend’s hands busy while she’s convalescing. I love your comments. Thankyou. I’ll let you know how her project goes and who knows I may even join in – It certainly looks tempting!!!

    1. I hope your friend enjoys making the squares. Some need more patience to make than others. My blanket has been very popular around our home this winter. Funnily enough, it is the bobbles square that jumps out at me when I see the blanket. Hopefully because it is 3-d rather than being a constant reminder that the moles are back in the garden this week. Grr!

      Would love to hear how you get on.

  3. Question about pattern as written: “Row 8 to 11:” is blank. Maybe knit these rows? Next row says “repeat these 11 stitches” You must mean “repeat these 11 rows.”

    Please comment.

    Thanks, love the bobble fabric

    1. Just been back to my notes and it appears two lines were left out. This should be correct, although I will do a sample to check it.

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