What Is Hobnail Crochet?

Hobnail crochet creates a bobbled pattern in the yarn, mimicking the hobnail glass that was created by the Fenton Art Glass company in the 1930s. Using a combination of single crochet and triple crochet stitches, hobnail crochet creates raised tufts of yarn in the midst of smooth yarn sections.

Hobnail crochet uses yarn to mimic hobnail glass.

Stitches Used

Hobnail crochet uses a combination of single crochet (sc) and triple crochet (tr) stitches. It can be used in any combination of rows, in main patterns or edgings and trims.

Pattern

To create a hobnail crochet pattern, make one row of alternating sc and tr stitches, then make a second row of all sc stitches. The sc stitches framing the tr stitches help to push out the yarn into bobble shapes.

Uses

Hobnail crochet makes interesting patterns for baby blankets, scarves, sweaters or even candy dishes that mimic the original glass ones. Hobnail crochet works well as a single strip of pattern in the middle of a basic set of stitches or as an all-over design.

Yarn

Hobnail crochet can be completed using any yarn; however, to make a stiffer fabric where the bobbles really stand out, a sturdy yarn such as cotton or wool is best.

Hobnail Glass

Hobnail glass was the inspiration for this stitch. According to the Glass Encyclopedia, hobnail glass was invented by the Fenton Art Glass company in 1939 in translucent colors and was later used as milk glass (solid white glass) in the 1950s.

References

• Hobnail Buggy Blanket Pattern
• Hobnail Crochet
• Hobnail Glass