10 pretty crochet stitches to try next

Pretty crochet stitches add texture or lace to plain fabric. Popular choices are waffle, bobble, puff and popcorn stitches for raised texture, star, alpine and basketweave stitches for pattern, and shell, V-stitch and crocodile stitches for scallops and lace. Each builds on basic stitches you already know, so they suit an advanced beginner.

By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 14, 2026 · Editorial policy

Save to Pinterest

Which crochet stitches make the most beautiful texture?

Stitches that are worked around the post of a stitch, or that pack several stitches into one place, make the most striking texture. Waffle, alpine and basketweave stitches use front and back post stitches to raise parts of the fabric, while bobble, puff and popcorn stitches gather several loops into a single bump.

Texture shows best in a smooth, solid-coloured yarn. Variegated and fluffy yarns hide the pattern, so save them for plain stitches.

Pretty and unique crochet stitches compared
Stitch	US abbr.	Skill level	Looks like	Best for
Waffle Stitch	waffle st	Easy	Deep square cells like a waffle	Dishcloths, cosy blankets
Bobble Stitch	bo	Easy	Round bumps that can form pictures	Cushions, baby blankets
Puff Stitch	ps	Easy	Soft, rounded puffs	Hats, textured throws
Popcorn Stitch	pc	Intermediate	Crisp raised knots that pop off the fabric	Vintage-style bedspreads, motifs
Star Stitch	star st	Intermediate	A dense fabric of little stars	Scarves, stoles
Alpine Stitch	alpine st	Intermediate	Raised diagonal ridges	Blankets, cushion covers
Basketweave Stitch	basketweave	Intermediate	Woven blocks like a wicker basket	Throws, bags
Crocodile Stitch	croc st	Advanced	Overlapping scales	Bags, shawl edges, costume pieces
Shell Stitch	sh	Beginner	Fanned scallops	Borders, shawls, stoles
V-Stitch	v-st	Beginner	Open V-shaped columns	Lightweight shawls, baby blankets

What is the difference between bobble, puff and popcorn stitches?

All three make a raised bump, but they are built differently. A bobble is several unfinished double crochets closed together at the top. A puff stitch pulls up several long loops before closing them, so it is softer and rounder. A popcorn works complete double crochets, then drops the loop and pulls it through the first stitch, which makes the firmest, most pronounced knot — the stitch used in many 1940s popcorn bedspreads.

Do textured stitches use more yarn?

Yes. Raised and clustered stitches such as waffle, bobble, puff, popcorn and alpine stitch use noticeably more yarn per square than plain double crochet, and they make a thicker, heavier fabric. Buy an extra skein beyond what a plain-stitch pattern of the same size would need, and make a gauge swatch in the stitch pattern itself.

Which pretty stitch should you try first?

Start with shell stitch or V-stitch: both use only chains and double crochet, so the only new skill is working several stitches into one place. Next try puff or bobble stitch for texture, then waffle and alpine stitch once post stitches feel comfortable. Crocodile stitch is the most unusual on this list and the most challenging, because each scale is worked sideways around a pair of posts.