How to Crochet the Bean Stitch

There are so many stunning textured crochet stitches out there, but one of my absolute favourites in the bean stitch, and that’s why I’d love to show you how to crochet the bean stitch here!

This is a super fun stitch pattern appears to create a zig zag pattern out of puff stitches! Sounds complicated? It’s not, it’s just a one row pattern repeat and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whizzing through it.

This crochet stitch tutorial will guide you through creating this wonderful stitch with lots of photos thrown in to help! There’s also a video tutorial too!

warm hands crochet mug cosy being held by designer

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What do you think of my Warm Hands and Hearts Mug Cozy above? It’s created using the bean stitch, so once you’ve followed the tutorial through, why not head over to the crochet mug cozy pattern and make yourself one?!

Table of Contents

What is the bean stitch used for?

As you can see, the bean stitch creates an extremely textured, quite close and cosy-looking fabric. So it’s well suited to cosier patterns.

You won’t normally see it in summer garments, but rather cosy blankets, textured homewares like coasters and mug cosies, and maybe some thick sweaters. The fabric it creates is quite thick, so just be careful to get the drape you want.

A winter beanie, mittens and headbands would all look great in the bean stitch too!

How to Crochet the Bean Stitch

Let’s get started now and learn how to crochet the bean stitch. First, I’ll give a quick written tutorial, before going into detail with lots of photos. At the end, you’ll find the video tutorial too!

What’s super clever about this stitch is the way the puff stitches are pushed to the side, which is what makes that stunning zig zag pattern.

You will need:

You can try this tutorial with any yarn and a corresponding hook. This is what I used –

Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky, 100% Acrylic (100g/3.53oz, 136m/149yds)

6.0mm Crochet Hook or hook needed for your yarn

Tapestry needle for working in ends

Scissors

Stitch markers (optional)

How to get the mug cozy pattern to practise your bean stitch

There are a few different ways that you can get your crochet mug cozy pattern if you’d like a pdf version.

You can head to the blogpost and view it for free there. The blog has ads on it, which is how I am able to offer it for free. Please do bookmark the page and come back to it as you work on your pattern though, rather than trying to print it out. Spending time on this page is how I get paid.

Alternatively you can purchase a premium pdf version of the pattern, which includes stitch tutorials, links to lots of video tutorials and full explanations. The premium pattern comes in US and UK terms. And of course, if you purchase the pattern, it is yours to keep, print and make notes on too.

Buy the Pattern
on Ravelry

Buy the Pattern
on Etsy

The method

Start by chaining any odd number, around 25 is good for a small sample.
Insert hook into third chain from hook.
Yarn over and pull through a loop.
Yarn over and insert hook into the same stitch.
Yarn over and pull through (you will have 4 loops on your hook).
Yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch again.
Yarn over and pull through (6 loops on your hook).
Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops.
Chain 1 to secure the stitch. You have now created your first bean, but we want to carry on to complete the row.
Skip the next chain and then make a bean stitch in the next stitch (steps 3 to 8), and chain 1 (step 9).
Continue this across to the end of the row.

This is what this might look like in a pattern:

Insert hook into third st from hook and make a bean st, ch1, sk next st, *bean st, ch 1, sk next st, rep from * across.

At the end of the row, you will need to make an additional chain, so there will be 2 chains after the final bean. Then turn.

For subsequent rows, we are going to continue alternating a bean stitch with a securing chain and then skipping the next stitch.

The placement of the bean stitches after row 1 needs to go into the space after the chain stitch from the previous row each time, so locate the chain stitch and then insert your hook into the next space. For the last stitch, this can be a bit tricky. Refer to the photos or video below for clarity.

Pin this free Crochet bean stitch tutorial for later

Pin image of how to crochet the bean stitch tutorial and video with a blue crochet sample and hook

How do I make the Bean Stitch? – photo tutorial

Start by chaining any odd number, around 25 is good for a small sample.

2 hands hold a chain of pink crochet and a yellow crochet hook

2. Insert hook into third chain from hook.

2 hands insert a crochet hook into a chain of yarn

3. Yarn over and pull through a loop.

2 hands are crocheting with pink yarn and a yellow hook

4. Yarn over and insert hook into the same stitch.

a close up of the process of making the crochet bean stitch

5. Yarn over and pull through (you will have 4 loops on your hook).

a crochet hook with 4 loops on it held by a hand

6. Yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch again.

a hand holding yarn and making a crochet stitch

7. Yarn over and pull through (6 loops on your hook).

a crochet hook making the bean stitch with 6 loops on the hook

8. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops.

A crochet bean stitch has just been completed by the hand holding it and a yellow crochet hook

9. Chain 1 to secure the stitch. You have now created your first bean, but we want to carry on to complete the row.

a crocheter chaining 1 after making a bean stitch with a yellow hook and pink yarn

10. Skip the next chain and then make a bean stitch in the next stitch (steps 3 to 8), and chain 1 (step 9).

A crochet hook pointing where to make the next stitch

11. Continue this across to the end of the row. At the end of the row, you will need to make an additional chain, so there will be 2 chains after the final bean. Then turn.

a row of crochet bean stitches showing an extra chain 1 at the end of a row with a yellow hook

12. For subsequent rows, we are going to continue alternating a bean stitch with a securing chain and then skipping the next stitch. The placement of the bean stitches after row 1 needs to go into the space after the chain stitch from the previous row each time, so locate the chain stitch and then insert your hook into the next space.

a crocheter indicating the stitch placement with a crochet hook

A crochet hook is showing where to place a bean stitch in a row of pink fabric

13. For the last stitch, this can look a bit different as below.

A crocheter is crocheting a row with pink yarn

And there you have it, the bean stitch! Here’s a picture of 2 completed rows, but why stop there! Carry on and make something gorgeously textured with it, like the Warm Hands Mug Cosy.

A completed sample of the crochet bean stitch in pink yarn with a yellow hook

Full-length Video Tutorial

If you prefer crocheting from a video tutorial, hop on over to my YouTube channel and watch how I crochet the bean stitch there.

The video will take you through all of the steps to make the bean stitch, including some handy tips on finding the right space to insert your hook into.

Check out my other crochet patterns for more crochet inspiration.

More crochet stitches

I have lots of crochet stitch tutorials over on my YouTube channel so please do check them out. Here are some you might like:

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @concretegemscrochet or drop me a message if you have any questions.

What next?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, please do stick around and see what else you’d like to try on my website.

I’m Gemma, a crochet tech editor, designer and overall crochet enthusiast. I’m also a mum of 3 kids, and enjoy running, reading, walking and crafting, but mostly crochet!

If you enjoyed making the bean stitch, or perhaps made a mug cosy, please consider sharing it to social media tagging @concretegemscrochet

Other crochet patterns you might enjoy

Free Crochet Hook Holder Pattern – with cables for an elegant look
Easy Crochet Cushion Cover Free Pattern – a geometric mosaic crochet design
Hexagon Crochet Blanket Pattern – delicate and modern motifs

Check out my other stitch tutorials here.

Learn the crochet bean stitch crochet tutorial and video pin image of purple bean stitch and a hook

Thanks for reading and happy crocheting! 🧶

How to Crochet the Bean Stitch

What is the bean stitch used for?