Knitting trends come and go, and of course it depends on where you look what things you will find that are popular, but I feel like I have been seeing a lot of bubble stitch knitting projects lately.
Bubble stitch looks sort of like a large, flat bobble, but the technique to make it is different. Bobbles can be made in different ways, but they’re generally made by increasing stitches, working just those stitches and decreasing again before continuing the work.
Bubble stitch uses a technique known as knit 4 below. To work it, you drop four rows of stitches, then knit them together with the stitch you dropped.
It sounds a little confusing but once you see it in action it’s not too difficult. Studio Knits has both a blog post and a video about how to knit bubble stitch that should help you grasp it.
The good news is most of the pattern is just stockinette stitch, and the pattern repeat is only 12 rows long. You can switch colors on the rows where the bubbles are made, or keep the work in a single color.
If you want to try your hand a bubble stitch, here are a few projects to try.
The bubble stitch blankie pattern is a free Ravelry download designed by Cathy Dages. It uses DK weight yarn and has a garter stitch border you knit as you go.
The bubble stitch beanie from Stephanie Blanchard on Ravlery uses two colors of worsted weight yarn. The pattern comes in two sizes. A video tutorial is available.
The Bubblegum jumper from Aliza Knits on Etsy is one that caught my eye because of the fun colors. If you don’t want to stripe it you can of course work it in a solid color. This pattern uses bulky yarn and comes in nine sizes.
Wool and the Gang’s Jasper sweater is on the high end in terms of cost (the pattern is only available as part of a kit) but it features a fun allover bubble pattern with ribbed edgings.
