The Popcorn Stitch is one of my favourite stitches, but I really dislike having to remove my hook from my work every time I make a Popcorn Stitch, so I came up with a lazy way of doing it: The Lazy Popcorn Stitch.
I am very sure that I am not the first or only person to make their Popcorns like this, but I have never seen them made this way, and if I haven’t, then you might not have either, so I thought it was worth doing a tutorial.
I tried making my Popcorn Stitches like this when I first started crocheting, but I took one look at the first Popcorn and thought…nah…it’s too flat. I didn’t give it another thought until I started working on the design for my Be Inspired Tour in July. It has A LOT of Popcorns! So I thought I would give the Lazy Popcorn Stitch another go. Once again my first Popcorn came out flat…but this time I realized WHY it was flat and also that it didn’t stay flat for more than a few seconds.
This tutorial assumes that you are already familiar with the technique for making a regular Popcorn Stitch, specifically how the regular Popcorn Stitch works, and how to work into it in subsequent rounds. You can find a tutorial for that HERE.
How to Crochet the Lazy Popcorn Stitch
- Lazy Popcorn Stitch Photo Tutorial
- Popcorn Stitch vs Lazy Popcorn Stitch
- More Tutorials and Free Patterns
Lazy Popcorn Stitch Photo Tutorial
The Lazy Popcorn Stitch is an adaptation of the Popcorn Stitch. It bypasses the need for removing your hook from your work in order to complete the stitch.
Make 5 dc’s in the indicated stitch/space {Photo 1}. Flip your work so that the back is facing you {Photo 2}. Insert your hook into the first dc of the 5-dc group (indicated with an arrow in Photo 2 and illustrated in Photo 3). Photo 4 shows the front of your work with the hook inserted. Make a sl st {Photo 5}. This completes your Lazy Popcorn. Flip your work so that the front is facing you again and continue with your pattern. In this illustration the Popcorn is followed by 3 ch’s.
When you have made your Lazy Popcorn, it might look squished flat (like mine). If this happens, it is purely because you have pushed the front of the popcorn against your finger when making the sl st.
This ‘squishedness’ is temporary and will have disappeared by the time you have made another popcorn or two.
Popcorn Stitch vs Lazy Popcorn Stitch
There are a few differences between regular Popcorns and Lazy Popcorns. If you look at the photo below, you will see that the tops of the stitches differ. On the regular Popcorn, the closing ch-1 is clearly visible on top of the Popcorn. On the Lazy Popcorn, the sl st replaces the closing ch-1 as the top of the stitch (see arrows below).
You will also notice that the Lazy Popcorn ‘pops’ more than the regular Popcorn, and from the top it appears bigger.
When you look at them from the front, you will notice that the top of the regular Popcorn is more tightly pinched than that of the Lazy Popcorn. The regular Popcorn also looks rounder (more round) than the Lazy Popcorn. If this bothers you, you can always use 6 dc’s for each Lazy Popcorn, instead of 5.
In the photo below you will see that the chain stitches directly following the Lazy Popcorn face the front of the work (first and last arrows), whereas the chain stitches directly following the regular Popcorn face up (central arrow).
It is possible to use Lazy Popcorns instead of regular Popcorns in any pattern, as long as you are aware of the differences above and feel confident about working into them in subsequent rounds.
I would love to know what you think. Have you ever made your Popcorns this way? And if so, which method do you prefer?
More Tutorials and Free Patterns
If you have enjoyed this tutorial, you might be interested in some of my other tutorials and free patterns. You can find them all HERE.
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Bhani says
I always do it lazy, didn’t know it the other way, hahaha
Betty Pintado says
Thank you for always enlighting us. I definitely will be trying the lazy popcorn stitch.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Betty. I’d love to know how you find it if you do try it :)
Seagull Knits says
Genius!
Teresa J van Vuuren says
Hi Dedri
I have been making the lazy popcorn stitch until I saw a video of how a popcorn is actually supposed to be crocheted – I think I prefer the lazy method as it is faster for me, but I do not make the slip stitch in the top of the first double crochet of the five doubles which forms the popcorn, but just below – I do not know how to describe for you – will post a picture on my Instagram (@esteresa22) if you’re interested to go look. I find this way the first double does not pull to the side so much, but that’s just my way of doing it. I love you patterns and hope you enjoy your tour to South Africa in July.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Teresa. That is a brilliant tip. I am so looking forward to our trip.
Tannie Carol says
I’ll have to try it….from the pictures, though, I think I prefer the look of the “older” version better.
I guess we are all entitled to our opinion.
I can see in one way that this would be ‘easier’ – except you have to turn the work back and forth.
Something to think about…Thank you for sharing this new (at least to most of us) way to make the Popcorn Stitch! You are so clever!
I have no idea how you find the time to do all that you do! With those three darling boys – my “English Nephews” and now TWO blogs?!!!
With all the trips I’ve been taking to see family, etc. I cannot afford those Workshops…the motifs are so pretty!
Take at least SOME time for you….and breathe! My goodness Dedri! how much can one woman do??
Dedri Uys says
Hi Carol :) I don’t actually have to ‘turn’ the work, I just flip the last 5 stitches so that the back is showing. But yes, it won’t suit everyone :)
Andria says
I’ve made popcorns the ‘lazy’ way and wondered why it wasn’t the usual way, as I find it so much easier. It was very interesting to read your analysis of the ways the two methods differ. I will keep being ‘lazy’ – or should it be ‘efficient’?
Dedri Uys says
Lol…efficient is a MUCH better description!
Soffity says
Have you timed each method, by the time you turn your work around and then back again you may have been able to remove the hook. However as they say, necessity is the mother of invention and if we never tried anything new we would still be living in trees, or where ever, love your work,
Dedri Uys says
I did actually time the sides using the different methods and it went a quarter quicker if I didn’t remove my hook. I don’t turn the whole blanket as I work, I only flip the top bit so that the back of the last 5 dc’s is visible. I don’t quite know how to explain the action. Maybe I will try to take a photo and include it.
I realize it won’t suit everyone, but my mom always says: “There’s only one way to find out” :)
Wanda says
When I was learning to crochet years and years ago from books (No computers or internet back then).
That was the way I learned to make my popcorns. Didn’t know there was a different way until I started the Sophie Universe last year. Actually my first round of popcorns was done that way (lazy popcorn). After that I looked at the photo tutorial and realized that I had done them wrong. I didn’t frog and redo cause I really couldn’t tell any difference in them.
I’m a leftie so it was a little harder for me to comperhend. No left hand instructions at that time.
Love your work and your blog.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Wanda, thank you for taking the time to comment. I learnt to make Popcorns by removing my hook and I always thought there must be a reason why it wasn’t just done with a sl st, because I didn’t see anyone doing it with a sl st. Now I realize that it is my relative inexperience (only got back into crocheting 5 years ago) that is showing. So many things the seasoned crocheters know that I have yet to learn :)
Judy says
Thank you for all the photos–it is particularly helpful to know (and see) the differences between the two options. Although I’ve always made my popcorns the traditional way, I will definitely try your version. I must say, though, that I don’t think your way is “lazy”–that word could never apply to any of your crafting–so I’ll call it Dedri’s Modified Popcorn. :)
Dedri Uys says
Lol, Judy, most of my brainwaves originate in laziness. When I was little, my mom always used to say: “The lazy man carries himself to death, the non-lazy (flukse) man walks himself to death.” It loses something in translation, but the fact remains. I would rather carry everything at once, even though I have to stop every 10 steps, to avoid having to walk twice. So I am afraid I have to disappoint you. I am quite lazy :) But I also think lazy breeds amazing inventions…like sliced bread :)
Mary says
Most definitely a cheat/lazy way to create the popcorn stitch but I really like it. I HATE the whole remove your hook from you work and place it back at the first stitch of the popcorn cluster and then grab your loop and pull through bit. I have always HATED making them! Now…I will be able to enjoy making them without all of the extra bits. THANK YOU!
Sheila Kemp says
What a fantastic idea for the Lazy Popcorn Stitch!! You are clever Dedri!! Thanks for sharing!! :)
Dedri Uys says
:)
Pauline Matthee says
Wow! Wonderful tutorial! I am going to try this. Thanx!
Carmen says
Great tutorial! I’ve never made popcorns this way, but I sure will now :) Thanks for sharing! xx