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The bullion stitch is intimidating. How do you get pass through all 10 loops?

For a long time I avoided this stitch thinking its only for the pros.

However, the time came when I wanted to expand my repertoire of crochet stitches. I was already bored with sc’s and dc’s so I gave bullion a try using plarn.

After an hour, SUCCESS!

How I Learned to Bullion

To learn how to crochet the bullion stitch, I began with 2 wraps on hook, then three, four, five, six, seven, until I could do the eight wraps.

Using crochet thread, I can bullion up to twelve wraps. But with yarn, I’m slow and I can do until eight wraps only.

Why I Created this Video Hub

I created this video hub to supplement my BULLIONOBIA COIN PURSE (free pattern). I’ve noticed that my free patterns which utilizes bullion stitches don’t get much interest.

So maybe, if I have a video hub that shows how to crochet the bullion, others won’t be so afraid of these patterns.

What is a Bullion Stitch?

The bullion stitch is created by wrapping the yarn many times on the hook and then passing the hook through ALL the loops.

The height of the stitch can be varied depending on the number of wraps and is secured by an elongated chain.

This results into an interesting stitch that looks like rope wrapped around a post.

This stitch can be used to create monograms and textured patterns if used sparingly with basic stitches such as an sc. When used throughout, the result is a crochet fabric that does not seem crocheted.

The bullion stitch creates bold patterns which makes it a favorite among freeform crochet artist.

What Makes it Difficult – Decoding the Requirements in Learning the Bullion Stitch

There are three reasons why one could be unsuccessful in crocheting the bullion stitch.

  1. The way the hook is held
  2. The yarn used
  3. Pressure/ tension while crocheting

The bullion stitch requires us to hold the hook in the pencil grip method because you’ll be needing your middle finger a lot – both middle fingers, the left and the right.

As for yarn, when you are still learning to bullion, DO NOT USE YARN. Why? Yarn thins when it stretches which makes the wraps tight at some point and loose at other points. When a wrap is too tight, the hook will not pull through. Moreover, when the tension of the wraps are not uniform (some loose while others are tight), the resulting bullion stitch is sloppy.

Therefore, its best to USE CROCHET COTTON THREAD (or something similar to it) when learning to crochet bullions because it does not thin when stretched. You can go back to yarn if you’re comfortable with crochet thread.

Another consideration when crocheting bullion stitches is pressure/ tension. Applying the least amount of pressure while crocheting bullions will ensure success in passing the hook in all those loops. Especially with yarns, you should just touch the yarn and not press it when passing the hook into all those loops.

As a recap, here are the requirements for learning to crochet the bullion:

  1. Pencil grip method of holding the hook
  2. Use crochet thread for practice
  3. Least pressure/ tension when crocheting

The Hidden Instructions in Crocheting Bullions

This is the most common instruction for a bullion stitch:

Y o 8x, insert hook, y o, pull through ALL 10 LOOPS on hook, ch 1.

There are a lot of hidden instructions here. Good thing I figured out most of them. These instructions are for right-handed crocheters only, as I am right-handed myself.

  1. Y o 8x or wrap yarn 8x around hook.
  2. (Hidden) Pull the wraps to the widest part of the hook.
  3. (Hidden) Use RIGHT middle finger in pressing the wraps lightly onto the hook to keep the size of the wraps uniform as the hook slides down when inserted.
  4. Insert hook.
  5. Y o.
  6. (Hidden) Pull ALL the loops to the widest part of the hook again.
  7. (Hidden) If you use yarn, you need to arrange the wraps by ROLLING IT COUNTERCLOCKWISE so it will have uniform size and tension. Use your LEFT middle finger and thumb: thumb pushes downward while middle finger pushes upward.
  8. (Hidden) Use LEFT middle finger and thumb to press lightly on the wraps as you pull through all 10 loops on hook.
  9. Ch 1 to lock/ secure the height of the bullion stitch.

Bullion stitch complete! Now all you have to do is PRACTICE.

By AUTHOR

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