How to Crochet the Bead Stitch (Step-by-Step Tutorial with Video + Photos)
- Lenka
- Aug 8
- 4 min read
If you’re ready to add a beautiful pop of texture to your crochet work, the bead stitch is such a fun one to learn! It looks intricate, but don’t worry—it’s surprisingly easy once you get the rhythm. Whether you’re still finding your confidence or have been crocheting for years, this tutorial will walk you through each step with clear photos, a full video, and written instructions to guide you along the way. Let’s dive in and make something beautiful together!
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Before we get into the actual pattern, I also created the Ultimate Crochet Hack Sheet! It's 2 pages with basic crochet abbreviations and symbols, hook sizes in US and UK versions, all the yarn types (with recommended hooks and projects), etc. Feel free to click on the pic or a link to my shop where you can find more details.
Video Tutorial
Check out my YouTube video tutorial where I cover everything. It's a fantastic complement to any written pattern. You're welcome to leave feedback in the video comments.
Recommended Materials
In this tutorial, I use LionBrand Cotton24/7 cotton yarn. I find that the texture stands out more with cotton yarn, and its bright colours are beneficial during tutorials. For this yarn I use a 4mm/G-6 crochet hook.
However, if you're new to crocheting and just practicing, I highly recommend using any solid color acrylic yarn that works with a 5mm/H-8 hook size.
Below is the crochet chart for the Bead Stitch. It's an excellent method for learning to read crochet charts, and understanding written instructions can sometimes be beneficial.
Directions for Bead Stitch
Start with any odd number of foundation chains (FCH).
ROW 1 - Into the 2nd ch from the hook, make a SC. Then SC into each ch all across the row. (visit this link how to crochet single crochet if needed). Then ch 2 and turn (counts as a first st of the following row).
ROW 2 - Start by making a double crochet (DC) into the next stitch. Now you're ready to make your first Bead Stitch (Puff Stitch around the post):
Yarn over (YO) and insert your hook around the post of the DC you just made (between the first and second DC). YO again and pull up a loop — you should now have 3 loops on your hook.Repeat that same motion two more times (YO, insert the hook around the same DC post, YO, pull up a loop) until you have 7 loops on your hook.
Once you have 7 loops on your hook, yarn over (YO) and pull through the first 6 loops. You’ll be left with 2 loops on your hook.
YO once more and pull through the remaining 2 loops to finish the bead stitch.
Once you finish your bead stitch, skip the next stitch and make a double crochet (DC) into the following one.
From there, just repeat the bead stitch steps. At the end of the row, you should have 2 stitches left. Skip the next stitch and make a regular double crochet (DC) into the last one. Ch 1 and turn.
ROW 3 – Make SC across the row. Every Bead Stitch is made of two sts, make sure you get the same number of sts as the first row of SC. At the end ch 2 (counts as a first st for the following row) and turn.
ROW 4 - until you desired length - Repeat the bead stitch row (Row 2) followed by the single crochet row (Row 3) until you reach your desired length.
I hope you enjoyed learning the bead stitch with me! If this tutorial helped you,
I’d love to hear from you—leave a comment below, give it a like, or share it with a fellow crochet lover. And if you try it out, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @happyheartsy so I can see your beautiful creations!
Happy stitching,
Lenka
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