How to Crochet Bullion Stitch

Bullion Stitch Tutorial
Bullion Stitch Tutorial

How to Crochet the Bullion Stitch in a Crochet Pattern

The crochet bullion stitch is a neat technique. You will see this used in many vintage crochet patterns. It is made by wrapping yarn around a crochet hook numerous time, then pulling through. The wraps create a roll, spiral, or coil. The 3D look that is produced creates a lovely texture.

How do you spell bullion?

The proper spelling for this technique is bullion. But does anyone spell it incorrectly like I do? I sometimes add an extra i in there, like in buillion. As someone who loves to cook, I’ll forget and spell it bouillon. And as a long-time computer geek, I can’t help but sometimes type it as boolean. Bullion is the proper spelling in a crochet pattern.

History of the bullion stitch

You’ll see the crochet bullion stitch quite often in Irish lace crochet. Plus it occurs frequently in free form crochet patterns. Designers and artists, throughout the years, have used many tools to create more consistent coils. I prefer the old fashioned way that artists used long ago. I like to use two crochet hooks to create the bullion stitch. If you do not have a second crochet hook, you can use a yarn needle. Or even a double-pointed knitting needle.

In addition to this, I’ll be showing 6 wraps around for each spiral. However you can do any number greater than 3 or so. You can do 5, or 7, or even 10. More wraps will create a taller stitch. Less wraps will create a shorter stitch. By varying the thickness of the crochet hooks used, you can control the width of each rolled stitch. Thinner hooks will produce a thinner spiral. Thicker hooks will produce a thicker spiral.

One final note

It should be noted while I’m using worsted weight yarn in this example, feel free to use any other weight of yarn. You can use thin crochet thread, as they do in Irish lace crochet. Or you can use bulky or chunky weight yarn. The bullion stitch is a neat stitch that adds a nice interest to any crochet pattern. Check out my crochet bullion stitch border sample too!

Be sure to pin the following image to your Pinterest board! Then continue reading below.

Pinterest

Here’s a nice image (or two) to pin on your Pinterest boards.

Bullion Stitch Tutorial
Bullion Stitch Tutorial

Please note I may receive compensation from the links below.

While I normally have a PDF to download, this stitch is pretty simple, so here goes:

How to create the bullion stitch:

  • Use a G 4 mm crochet hook and an E 3.5 mm crochet hook. Turn them so the hooks are on either end, and tape them in the middle. You’ll use the G hook as your main hook.
  • Start with a chain something. This depends upon the size of your bullion stitches. Try a chain 3. Or chain 4.
  • Place both hooks in the loop.

Now comes the fun part:

  • Wrap the yarn around both hooks 6 times. You can vary the number of wraps, but for now, just wrap it 6 times.
  • Insert the G hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and draw the loop through.
  • Keep that yarn strand from the skein a bit taught. Grab the 6 wraps and pull them towards the fabric. Slightly pull the crochet hook out from the top.
  • Chain 1 at the top.
  • And that’s it! It’s much easier to watch the tutorial video, but those are the written steps.