When I shared my chunky crochet garland last year, I got a lot of comments on instagram about how much it looked like a string of popcorn. I figured, why not lean into that look even more and add some “cranberry” wooden beads too!
Of course, you can add any color of beads or bare wood beads and in any size! It’s totally customizable.
This is also a great project for beginners. You don’t have to worry about how big or tightly you’re crocheting, and the end result is very forgiving, so you don’t have to stress if each puff stitch isn’t perfect.
If you’re still not sure and want something easier to start with, you can try it without the beads first. I also have a beginner crochet series you can check out here: Crochet Basics.
MATERIALS
- Super Bulky or size 6 yarn* (I used 2 skeins of 106 yds each to fill a 7 foot tree)
- 6.5 mm and 3.25 mm hook**
- Wooden beads*** (I used 172 for a 24 ft. long garland)
- Scissors
- Optional: Jar opener or deflated balloon
Material Notes:
*I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn in “Fisherman” which I think gives off a pretty convincing popcorn color. You can choose “Oatmeal” if you want some brown flecks mixed in as well. I wanted a likeness to popcorn but also a clean look, so I stuck with the creamy “Fisherman.”
**The K/6.5 mm hook is for the yarn portion and the D/ 3.25 for the beads because it’s small enough to fit through the bead opening. For the smaller hook, whatever hook you can find that will fit and still be able to grab the yarn without shredding it is fine. CORRECTION: I initially listed it as F/3.5 mm and said that in the video. I was mistaken. I used a D/3.25 mm hook. Again, whichever hook you can get to fit, should be fine.
***These are the beads I used. (Affiliate link which gives me a small commission if you buy but doesn’t affect your price). UPDATE: I’m leaving this link up in hopes that the beads will get restocked soon. Until then, it seems that the Amazon seller is putting other smaller beads in its place because they have sold out. When buying, make sure to get the 12 mm beads with a 3 mm hole (my 3.5 hook fits in the opening though… Just use what you have that works). You can choose a darker red to make it look more realistically like cranberries. Again, this was a style choice. I prefer the brighter red.
They come in a pack of 300. I used 172 for one skein of yarn, 106 yards long.
I also found some larger beads in other shades of red at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. They come strung as a garland but can be easily disassembled.
SIZING
One skein of super bulky yarn that is about 106 yards long, worked with 1 bead in between each puff stitch (172 beads total), equals about 24.5 feet long. Depending on how densely you want your garland laced around your tree, I would recommend 2-3 garlands for a 7-8 foot tree.
ABBREVIATIONS & GAUGE
There is no real need for abbreviations because we are only working chains and puff stitches in a straight line. Gauge is also moot. The sizing information will be more helpful to you for this kind of project.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
If the video has not already popped to the top or right side of your screen, it should play below. It will play after the initial ads.
Please note: I have recently realized that while I listed the smaller hook as F/3.50 mm, I actually used a D/3.25 mm hook. As listed in the materials…whichever hook you have that you can get to fit in the bead opening is fine. Sorry for the mistake.
WRITTEN TUTORIAL
- Leaving a short tail and using the 6.5 mm hook, tie a slip knot.
- Chain 1. Pull up a look about 1 inch tall.
- Yarn under (or over… genuinely either way works, but yarning under for this project can feel easier on the hands after you’ve worked a lot of puff stitches). Hold the loop in place with your index finger and insert the hook into the chain again.
- Pull up another loop to the same height, and repeat one more time for a total of three times.
- You should now have 7 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 7 loops.
- Chain 1 to complete the bubble puff stitch.
- TO ADD A BEAD: Pull up another tall loop and switch to the smaller 3.5 mm hook.
- Thread a wooden bead onto the smaller hook.
- Insert the hook into the loop and pull it through the bead. Because it’s a tight fit and the bead openings can be a little inconsistent, sometimes it helps to use something with grip, like a jar opener or a deflated balloon, to help pull the yarn through. NOTE: If the yarn separates as it comes through the bead, pull it out with the previous puff stitch, smooth out the yarn, and try again until it comes through with the yarn intact.
- Go back to the larger 6.5 mm hook and work a chain stitch to secure the bead.
- Work another puff stitch, add a bead, and repeat this pattern until you run out of yarn.* Tie off the end and you’re done!
*Variations: Try different ratios of beads to puff stitches to achieve a different look, or to conserve beads.
You can also add larger beads or use other yarn and bead colors.* Make this project truly yours!
*Note: This may alter the length of the garland a little bit.
Confession time: I haven’t decorated for Christmas yet. I just can’t bring myself to do it too early otherwise it spoils the magic for me. I did put up the tree though!… so enjoy these closely cropped shots that give the illusion that our tree is already fully decorated. 😉
Hi Delia,
Your popcorn and cranberry crochet garland turned out so cute, what a fantastic idea! Also, the pictures are so neat! I wanted to drop a quick message to let you know that I’ve featured your tutorial on Crafts on Display, hope you enjoy it! – https://craftsondisplay.com/crochet/popcorn-and-cranberry-crochet-garland-diy-76166/
Thank you so much Violeta!
Thanks for this adorable project. After struggling with getting the head on the yarn I made myself a makeshift hook with a paper clip! Works like a charm… Hook the yarn on a loop at the end of a paper clip and pull through the bead! Whallah!
Side note: Bent paper clips are a teachers pet peeve! I break my own rules.
Cannot wait to add my new garland to my tree and my staircase! So sweet I may make one for my classroom whiteboard!
That’s brilliant! Thank you for sharing that tip so others may benefit too.
Do you have a YouTube video for the process ? Thank you !!
I don’t. I just have the video posted here on my website. It should pop up to the top or side of your screen and will play an ad first before the tutorial.
Can you please share the color of the Wool Ease…I can’t seem to find one that is white.
Sure! It’s “Fisherman.” It’s more of a cream color.
I’m looking at the link to the beads – it takes me to 22mm beads with a 4.5 mm hole, 50 pcs. Your description says you used 12mm with 3 mm hole and they were 300/pkg.
HELP! I don’t see any 12mm beads.
I see 16 mm beads with 3.5 mm hole – 150 pcs in the Dark Red (which is the color I would prefer).
Can you confirm what I need to purchase?
Thanks so much, love the easy pattern and am anxious to get started, but can’t until I get beads. TIA
So sorry about that. The beads sold out which is why it’s redirecting you to another size of beads. You can choose any size beads as long as the opening is large enough. The 16 mm beads with a 3.5 mm hole sound perfect!
Thank you, I just didn’t want too big compared to the ‘popcorn’. I’ll give it a try!
This is so cute and festive and fun! After I saw it, I jumped in the car and ran to Michaels. I couldn’t get the beads on Amazon soon enough so I just grabbed the Michaels Christmas red wooden bead garland and cut it apart. It was perfect! This came together so easily and quickly. I can’t wait to hang this on my little 4 foot tree in the classroom on Monday. Thank you!
Aw. This makes me so happy! I’m so glad you enjoyed the project. Using a beaded garland from Michael’s is so smart!
Am I losing my marbles, lol ? I do not see a video anywhere. Can anyone help me out? Thanks! I have my yarn and beads and would love to watch the video once also.
So sorry that I just saw your comment. It depends on which device you’re viewing the post on. If you are on a phone the video will open at the top of the screen with an ad before the video. If you are on a laptop or computer, it will start by opening at the top and then will pop to the side as you scroll down the post. I think because it opens with an ad that people click out of it and then the video is gone. To get it back, simply refresh the page.
This is a very nice idea, thank you, and thank you for the video tutorial. And thank Emily @ SaltCityKnits for showing your idea. May I ask, where do you get the lovely wooden ornaments (baubles) on the tree in the picture?
Thank you Delaine! The wooden ornaments were from Michaels maybe 5 years ago.
What a cute garland. It’s too late for me to make this year but was thinking of working on it for next. I just don’t have any links to the video which would have helped tremendously. I’ve looked all over the page – top, side, bottom…. Nothing. Maybe you’ve taken it down? Anyway – cute garland, Merry Christmas.
My apologies for just now seeing your comment. It depends on which device you’re viewing the post on. If you are on a phone the video will open at the top of the screen with an ad before the video. If you are on a laptop or computer, it will start by opening at the top and then will pop to the side as you scroll down the post. I think because it opens with an ad that people click out of it and then the video is gone. To get it back, simply refresh the page.
If you never get anything popping up to the side or top, my next question would be if you are using an ad blocker of some kind. My videos are hosted by my ad provider and cannot be viewed if the ads are blocked.
Not that you asked, but I’m adding this in case you or others were wondering (and I do often get asked)… Ads are the primary way in which I am able to provide free quality content and contribute to the support of my family. I buy all of my own supplies and choose not to have brand partnerships (as of now), so that when I create a pattern I am very mindful of how much the yarn costs, and I won’t try to sell you on a certain brand or yarn because I feel pressured to. I want the patterns to be accessible to as many people as possible, so I don’t have many paid patterns. Thank you for your patience with the ads.
While waiting for my beads to arrive from Amazon, I am practicing on the “popcorn”. I can pull up the first loop about an inch, but I’m having a hard time pulling up the rest of the loops to the same height as the first loop. I feel like I’m yanking on the yarn to get it to an inch. It looks so easy on your video, but apparently I’m not doing it right. Any suggestions? Thank you for your tutorial.
Susie,
I apologize that I just saw your comment. It can feel like you are yanking the yarn up pretty hard at first until you get used to it. So, you’re doing it right! It is vital to make sure that first loop is at least an inch, or a little longer if you’re struggling, because every loop after it will not be able to be longer than it. They will naturally be a little bit shorter than the first if not the same height. I find it helpful to pull my hand to the side/right when pulling up each loop, instead of straight up, because it’s a little easier on the hands to do it that way. I hope that helps.
Delia
Hi Delia,
Thank you for this delightful tutorial, the garland is soooo addictive, mine measures now about 5 m and I keep going 🙂 Have a large tree every year so it will be great decoration, thanks again for sharing it.