I have a really fun and textured stitch to share with you today…the bean stitch! It has a wonderful eye catching appearance and is one of those stitches that looks really great on both the front and the back sides. Because this stitch has a natural slant, it creates a really beautiful and almost zig zag appearance when worked in rows.
Let’s learn how to crochet the bean stitch…
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Materials Needed:
– A bit of worsted weight yarn (I used WeCrochet Dishie cotton)
– A crochet hook to compliment your yarn choice (The hook I used is a 4mm Furls Streamline Teak)
– Scissors and yarn if you would like to fasten off and weave in your ends
If you’re interested in reading my review of Dishie yarn or my experience of ordering with WeCrochet, please click the photos below:
Tutorial Notes:
– This tutorial is written in US terms (find a stitch conversion chart here)
– Turning chain 1 does not count as a stitch
– For row 2 and beyond, the first stitch and last stitch of the row is 1 SC. Some people prefer to use 1 HDC instead to make the stitch slightly taller. If you have a tighter tension, using HDC might be helpful in keeping the sides from pulling in. This is simply preference and you might decide to choose one over the other. For this tutorial, I will be using SC
– The CH 1 made after completing each bean stitch will be assumed as part of the bean stitch itself
– This is a thick and dense stitch that uses a lot of yarn. It can make a heavy fabric but is very eye catching!
– Because the bean stitch is so prominent, it makes row counting very easy
– Experiment with this stitch by using different yarn weights and styles (stripes, variegated, ombre, etc)
– If the stitch allows, I always prefer to make row 1 a foundation row of single crochet. I find this creates a neat and tidy appearance and can help to reduce gaps at the base of the row when the stitch I want to use begins
– There can be many different versions of the same stitch depending on the pattern or designer. This tutorial simply outlines the method I like to use when crocheting the bean stitch
Terms:
CH – Chain
SC – Single crochet
HDC – Half double crochet (if replacing the first and last SC)
BS – Bean stitch
Bean Stitch (BS) – Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull down through all loops on hook and CH 1 to lock the stitch.
Bean Stitch (BS) Tutorial:
Let’s make a small swatch. Begin by chaining chaining any even number of stitches (for this tutorial will I chain 24).
Row 1:
Into the second CH from your hook and each stitch across, place 1 SC. CH 1 and turn.
(23 SC stitches)
Row 2:
Into the first stitch, place 1 SC. CH 1 and SK the next stitch. Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull down through all loops on hook and CH 1 to lock the stitch. SK the next stitch and *insert your hook into the following stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull down through all loops on hook and CH 1 to lock the stitch. SK the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across the row until you have 1 stitch remaining after the final skipped stitch and place 1 SC. CH 1 and turn.
(2 SC stitches [ends], 10 bean stitches)
Row 3:
Into the first stitch, place 1 SC. Skipping over the CH 1 that we used to lock the bean stitch from the previous row, the first bean stitch (BS) will be placed within the small stitch space seen in the photo below:
Into that stitch space, place 1 bean stitch (insert your hook into the stitch space, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch space, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch space, yarn over and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull down through all loops on hook and CH 1 to lock the stitch. Skip the next CH 1 and continue by placing 1 BS (don’t forget to CH 1 to lock and complete) across the row, working only into that stitch specific space from the previous row of bean stitches. At the end of your row, place 1 SC into the last stitch, CH 1 and turn.
(2 SC stitches [ends], 10 bean stitches)
Row 4 and beyond:
Repeat row 3 for as many rows as you like! Once you reach the desired length, you can fasten off and weave in ends or simply pull out your swatch and wind up your yarn for another day.
And that’s the bean stitch! Don’t forget to try this stitch using different yarn weights for some fun and exciting variations. It’s full of texture and definitely is a great way to make a project pop! If you enjoyed this tutorial, check out these other fun stitches:
