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.  A little while ago, I came up with a lazy way of doing it.  While I was playing with the Lazy Popcorn, I came up with another, even lazier, method:  The Really Lazy Popcorn Stitch.

Now before I continue, I have to tell you that I am not claiming to be the only person to ever think of this.  In fact, when I first posted the tutorial for the Lazy Popcorn, Shelley Husband from Spincushions contacted me to share her favourite method with me (the one she will be using in her #52weeksofcrochetdesign project).  Imagine my delight when it was the same method I had arrived at, but better!

So the following tutorial is a collaboration between us.  I hope you find it useful.  If you do, please remember to pop over to Spincushions and thank Shelley.

How to Crochet the Really Lazy Popcorn Stitch

The Really Lazy Popcorn is made over two rows/rounds.  In the first round you will create 5-dc groups.  In the second round you will turn these 5-dc groups into Popcorns (see the Photo above which features the center of my new Wishing Well square).  The most amazing thing about making your Popcorns this way is that you can make them pop to the front OR to the back, simply by altering how you work into them in the next round.

It is possible to substitute Really Lazy Popcorns for regular Popcorns in any pattern, PROVIDED that the pattern instructs you to work into the Popcorns in the next row/round.  You cannot use this method for patterns that require you to skip the Popcorns in the next row/round. 

Index

• Really Lazy Popcorn Stitch Photo Tutorial
• Popcorn Stitch, Lazy Popcorn Stitch, and Really Lazy Popcorn Stitch
• More Tutorials and Free Patterns

Really Lazy Popcorn Stitch Photo Tutorial

The Really 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.  The method differs slightly depending on if you are making Popcorns between solid stitches or between chain spaces.

Making Really Lazy Popcorns Between Solid Stitches

I am demonstrating this technique on the extension for my Charlotte Square.  You can find the pattern for Parts 1 – 3 of Charlotte HERE.  I am still working on the rest and loving every minute.  You can see some sneak peeks on Instagram HERE.  You’ll have to scroll down to just after the Queen’s Head, though.

First Popcorn Round

If your Popcorns fall between solid stitches, continue with the pattern until you have worked all the stitches up to the Popcorn {Photo 1}.  Ch 1* {Photo 2} and make 5 dc in the stitch where your Popcorn should fall {Photo 3}.  Ch 1* {Photo 4} and then continue on with your pattern as normal.  You will end up with a wavy 5-dc group that you will turn into a Popcorn in the next round.

*The ch-1 spaces allow for easy insertion in the next round and will not affect the rest of your pattern in any way.

Second Popcorn Round

When making the next round, again work all the stitches up to the stitch you are supposed to make into the top of your Popcorn {Photo 1}.  In this example my next round is dc, so I am going to make a FPdc (front post dc) around the 5-dc group to create my Popcorn.  To do that, yarn over {Photo 2} and insert your hook from front to back into the ch-1 space before the 5-dc group {Photo 3}.  Insert your hook from back to front into the ch-1 space after the 5-dc group {Photo 4}.  Complete the dc as normal.  Continue with the pattern, making a FPdc around each 5-dc group to create your Popcorns.

• If you are making hdc or sc stitches, use a FPhdc or FPsc instead.
• If you are working in rows, the back of your work will be facing you, so you would need to insert your hook from back to front into the first ch-1 space, and from front to back into the second ch-1 space so that your Popcorn ‘pops’ away from you and faces the front of your work.  In other words, you will be making BP (back post) stitches to ‘close’ your popcorns.

Below you can see the Really Lazy Popcorn from the front, side, and top.

Making Really Lazy Popcorns Between Chain Spaces

I am demonstrating this technique on the Namaqualand blanket I designed for my Be Inspired tour in South Africa.  The Namaqualand blanket requires the maker to turn at the end of every round, so when you work into the Really Lazy Popcorns, the Wrong Side of the work will be facing you.  I have, therefore, demonstrated the Second Popcorn Round with the Right Side facing (for any projects that require the Right Side to be facing – which will be most projects) and the Wrong Side facing (specifically for the Namaqualand blanket).

First Popcorn Round

Make your chain space as instructed in the pattern {Photo 1}.  In this example I am making 3 ch st.  Into the stitch/space where a Popcorn is indicated, make 5 dc {Photo 2}.  Continue with the pattern, making chain spaces where required {Photo 3} and substituting your Popcorns with 5-dc groups.  Your work will be very wavy at the end of this row/round – see the photo at the bottom below.

Second Popcorn Round With Right Side Facing

When making the next round, again work all the stitches up to the stitch you are supposed to make into the top of your Popcorn {Photo 1}.  In this example my next round is dc, so I am going to make a FPdc (front post dc) around the 5-dc group to create my Popcorn.  To do that, yarn over and insert your hook from front to back into the ch space before the 5-dc group.  Insert your hook from back to front into the ch space after the 5-dc group {Photo 2}.  Complete the dc as normal {Photo 3}.  Continue with the pattern, making a FPdc around each 5-dc group to create your Popcorns.

If you are making hdc or sc stitches, use a FPhdc or FPsc instead.

Below you can see what the Really Lazy Popcorns look like from the front, side, and top.

Second Popcorn Round With Wrong Side Facing

When making the next round, again work all the stitches up to the stitch you are supposed to make into the top of your Popcorn.  In this example my next round is dc, so I am going to make a BPdc (back post dc) around the 5-dc group to create my Popcorn.  To do that, yarn over and insert your hook from back to front into the ch space before the 5-dc group {Photo 1}.  Insert your hook from back to front into the ch space after the 5-dc group {Photo 2}.  Pinch the ch spaces together, make sure your working yarn falls over the top of the ‘Popcorn’ {Photo 3}, and complete the dc as normal.  When you have made the BPdc, you should see a little ‘dotted line’ stitch above the Popcorn (see Wrong Side photo below) and the Popcorn should be ‘popped out’ away from you.  When you turn your work so that the Right Side is facing you, the BPdc should ‘hug’ the top of the Popcorn.  Continue with the pattern, making a FPdc around each 5-dc group to create your Popcorns.

If you are making hdc or sc stitches, use a FPhdc or FPsc instead.

Popcorn Stitch, Lazy Popcorn Stitch, and Really Lazy Popcorn Stitch

There are a few differences between regular Popcorns, Lazy Popcorns, and Really Lazy Popcorns.  You can read all about the differences between the Popcorn and the Lazy Popcorn HERE.  The post contains some very clear photos from different angles.

Looking at the photo below, you will notice that the Really Lazy Popcorns are flute-shaped (champagne flute, not musical flute).  Their ‘tops’ are wider than those of the Lazy Popcorn and the regular Popcorn, making them more rectangular than oval.  I prefer this look, but I realize that it won’t appeal to everyone.

The Lazy Popcorn and the Really Lazy Popcorn also ‘pop’ more than the regular Popcorn.

If you would like to practise the Really Lazy Popcorn, have a look at my latest free pattern, Wishing Well, which uses this method.

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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