Bean Stitch and Elizabeth Stitch (Mini Bean Stitch) Crochet Ideas
Welcome, crocheters – today’s post is all about bean stitch, which happens to have its mini sibling called Elizabeth stitch, or mini bean stitch. I’ve decided to write about them both, because the way they’re done is almost identical. In this post, you’ll learn the difference between the two, how they are made, and what you can use these techniques for.
As per usual, the second part of the article contains a bunch of examples and inspiring crochet patterns to use.
If you want to learn more, read my articles, check out my Roundup Series, or try my Free Crochet Patterns and Stitch Tutorials!
How to crochet bean stitch
If you are familiar with other textured stitches, such as puff stitch, bobble stitch, or popcorn stitch, you won’t have any problems with bean stitch. It’s especially similar to puff stitch, because it too requires multiple yarn-overs to create the “bean”.
A particular way of placing stitches makes the “beans” lean to one side, so after a couple of rows worked back and forth, the overall pattern looks a little bit like basket weave.
To make your own bean stitch pattern, you can use any type of yarn with a corresponding hook.
There are a lot of ways to learn these stitches, but I recommend the free Crochet Bean Stitch Tutorial by Stitching Together, available on stitching-together.com
How do Bean Stitch and Elizabeth Stitch differ from one another?
The main difference is in the size of the “bean”, or should I say “puff”, because that’s what it essentially is. While classic bean stitch requires three yarn-overs, mini bean stitch uses two, and results in flatter stitches.
What can I use bean stitch for?
Both these techniques create dense and reversible fabric, perfect for blankets and winter accessories. These stitches are very ornamental, so they look great when paired with basic techniques, too.
Of course, the yarn weight and hook size of your choice will greatly affect both the look of the piece and its density, so don’t forget to swatch before undertaking a big project.
Free Crochet Bean Stitch Blanket Patterns
In this part, I share examples of bean stitch and Elizabeth stitch to show the variety and creativity in projects. I hope that my findings will bring some inspiration, and you’ll be happy to try out these techniques.
Read carefully for free crochet patterns and tutorials.
Elizabeth Stitch Dishcloth by Louise Bollanos
Designers love to use textured stitches to make kitchen dishcloths – their textured surface helps with gentle scrubbing and provides thickness. The bean stitch is no exception. Tiny puffs not only look great, but come in handy in many everyday situations. However, remember to avoid synthetic yarns, which do not take in water and may melt in contact with the heat.
photo by Louise Bollanos on ravelry.com
photo by Louise Bollanos on ravelry.com
Find this free crochet pattern on handylittleme.com, or read more on ravelry.com.
Baby Bean Stitch Baby Blanket by JCFreund Designs
Pair the bean stitch with the self-striping yarn for a super quick crochet project! No weaving in ends, effortless color changes – what’s not to love? Louise chose the Lion Brand Ice Cream, an acrylic DK-weight yarn, in the colorway Blue Moon. The finishing touch? Minimalistic, basic stitch edging in a neutral color.
photo by JCFreund Designs on ravelry.com
photo by JCFreund Designs on ravelry.com
Download this free crochet pattern directly from ravelry.com.
Bean Stitch Baby Blanket by Crochet ‘n’ Create
Heather always comes up with simple yet stunning designs for the home, and this bean stitch blanket pattern is no exception. What makes this project so eye-catching? Quite unique colorway, meticulous stitches, and an interesting ribbed edging. This pattern is easy to customize in size, so you can make a baby blanket, or a full-sized bedspread.
photo by Crochet ‘n’ Create on ravelry.com
photo by Crochet ‘n’ Create on ravelry.com
Find this free crochet pattern on crochetncreate.com, or read more on ravelry.com.
Spill the Beans Pillow by Esther Thompson
Can a quick and mindless crochet project transform your living space? Give Esther’s pattern a try and you will see for yourself! Her project looks great both in multicolor and in solids – and by making each side a different way, you get a reversible throw pillow. Acrylic yarn is durable and affordable, which makes it perfect for home decor.
photo by Esther Thompson on ravelry.com
photo by Esther Thompson on ravelry.com
Find this free crochet pattern on caabcrochet.com, or read more on ravelry.com.
Warm Cool Bean Stitch Blanket by Heather Hamlin
Heather used not one, but two Caron Cake yarns to make her fantastic blanket. Take a look below and see how nicely balanced it is with stripes of bean stitch and single crochets. The combination of warm and cool colors looks truly timeless, especially because both yarns are ombre yarns and consist of other hues as well.
photos by Heather Hamlin on ravelry.com
This is a free crochet pattern, and it’s available on amorecraftylife.com, or on ravelry.com.
Baby Bean Baby Blanket Version by jamylyn
If you are not yet convinced that you can make a stunning blanket with as little as white and grey, be sure to take a look below! Crocheter behind the name jamylyn decided to make a very simple blanket based on a free pattern. As you can see, a simple crab stitch border is enough to make it look very neat.
photos by jamylyn on ravelry.com
This is a version of a free crochet pattern by Megan Meyer called Baby Bean Baby Blanket, which is available on her blog leftinknots.com, or you can read more about it on ravelry.com.
Spill the Beans Baby Blanket by Esther Thompson
If with every new stitch you’re asking, “can I work it in the round?”, the answer with bean stitch is: you can, and let this amazing blanket by Esther be the proof. Not only do I love the structure in the square, but I’m also amazed by this yarn! All of the colors work sooooo well with the black, or do you disagree?
photos by Esther Thompson on ravelry.com
This is a free crochet pattern, and it’s available on caabcrochet.com or on ravelry.com.
Beans and Bobbles Afghan Version by OohWhatsThatYarn
Hey, all chevron lovers, you can now zig-zag your way through with bean stitch! The crocheter behind OohWhatsThatYarn made their own version of this classic pattern using Caron Big Cakes yarn in a stunning Honey Glazed colorway. Take a look below and see for yourself, because it’s just lovely!
photos by OohWhatsThatYarn on ravelry.com
This is a version of a free crochet pattern by Beans & Bobbles Chevron Afghan by Jeanne Steinhilber, which is available on her blog thecrochetcrowd.com, or you can read more about it on ravelry.com.
Bean Ripple Blanket by Nai Nai Makes
I’m a big fan of Naomi’s projects, and this blanket is no exception. Regular stripes in a ripple pattern look interesting on their own, but the addition of bean stitch makes it truly spectacular! It’s easily customizable in terms of colors and style, so be sure to try it.
photos by Nai Nai Makes from nainaimakes.wordpress.com
This is a free crochet pattern available on nainaimakes.wordpress.com, so check it out!
Blue Bean Crochet Blanket by Asia
Classic color blocking never gets old and is a great choice for a blanket. The bean stitch has an amazing texture and therefore is interesting enough for a simple palette like this: white and three shades of blue. Asia’s blanket looks very comfy and squishy, but it’s also elegant and timeless.
photo by @colourconcept_byme on instagram.com
photo by @colourconcept_byme on instagram.com
To make a similar blanket, use the free crochet pattern called Crochet Bean Stitch Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon, available on mariasbluecrayon.com.
Zig Zag Bean Stitch Scrap Blanket Version by Cindy
Cindy’s version of a bean stitch scrap blanket features one of my favorite ways to work with assorted colors – adding a “background” color. It can be black (like in this case), white, beige, or any other color, but neutrals are definitely the most universal.
This additional hue not only creates a buffer between the colors, making the transitions less obvious, but also helps turn a relatively small amount of scrap yarn into a full-sized blanket.
photo by @crochet_by_cindy from instagram.com
photo by @crochet_by_cindy from instagram.com
This project was made using the free video tutorial by Blossom Crochet, available on youtube.com.
Premium Bean Stitch Patterns and Inspiration
Rainbow Bean Stitch Blanket by The Midwife’s Yarn
Stephanie’s blanket is full of colors, and the bean stitch adds some much-needed texture. I find two things especially interesting here. Firstly, the stripes seem to be worked from the longer edge side, which is quite unusual. Secondly, a fantastic choice of a simple white scalloped border frames it all together.
photo by @themidwifesyarn from instagram.com
photo by @themidwifesyarn from instagram.com
Bean Stitch Mitered Square Blanket by Sheryl
Sheryl’s mitered bean square blanket was a very exciting find, because I’ve never seen crochet bean stitch in such a version before. Mitered squares are worked from the corner in L-shaped rows, which creates a diagonal line joining two opposite corners. You can see it in the photos below. What a wonderful way to use up leftover yarn!
photo by @the.ginger.ewe on instagram.com
photo by @the.ginger.ewe on instagram.com
Puff Stripes Blanket by Created by Carolien
If you like puff stitch, this blanket by Carolien will be right up your alley! Although this blanket is made a little bit differently than classic bean stitch, the basketweave pattern is visually very similar. As you can see below, the puffs are very prominent and create a very dense structure.
photos by Created by Carolien on ravelry.com
You can purchase this pattern through ravelry.com.
Rainbow Bean Stitch Square by Crochet by Helen
Helen chose colors of the rainbow to make her bean stitch square, and I must admit that it’s very eye-catching! She used Paintbox Cotton DK yarn, which has amazingly vibrant colors – just take a look at the photo! Helen made the square to celebrate Granny Square Day 2021. What will she make this year? I’m curious!
photos by @happyhmw on Instagram: source
To make a similar project, use one of the tutorials mentioned in the first part of the article, or use a free crochet pattern called Bean Blanket by Jessica Cooper, available on crochetitcreations.com.
Bean Stitch Square by Lulee’s Crochet
Did I mention that I love neutrals? If not, here it is, because I cannot get over the beautiful afghan block that’s in the photos below. Lulee used simple grey yarn for her project, but she introduced black dots in some of the “beans”. In the bottom photo, you can see it among the other pieces that will together make a blanket.
photos by @luleescrochet on Instagram: top, bottom
To make similar project, use one of the tutorials mentioned in the first part of the article, or use free crochet tutorial available on thecrochetcrowd.com.
Elizabeth Stitch Blanket by Karin
Irregular stripes make the blankets look very unpretentious, but absolutely not sloppy – there’s something magical in the organic imperfections. Karin made her blanket with Stylecraft Special DK yarn, which is highly recommended by many crocheters, especially because it’s of good quality and affordable. Take a look at the photos – isn’t this pom-pom edging cute?
photos by @karinaandehaak on Instagram: source
To make similar project, use one of the tutorials mentioned in the first part of the article, or use free crochet pattern called MiniBean Blanket by Saba Azmath, available on thepurpledewdrops.com (website no longer works). For a similar pom-pom edging pattern, see tutorial on marlybird.com.
Mini Bean Stitch Blanket by Anako Dekor
Striped baby blanket by Anako Dekor features two things I like the most: impeccable color palette and balanced stitch combination. In the top photo, you can see that each stripe is finished off with a row of single crochet stitches, and that’s because the rows of bean stitches would be very irregular. To make a straight line, you need to add a row of basic stitches – clever, right?
photos by @anakodekor on Instagram: top, bottom
So many new stitches and designs I don’t know where to start,but I will ,beautiful work
Hi Kate,
Like you & Bruno, crocheting is fun play time for me. Thank you for sharing your tips, techniques and tutorials (I.e. blending deep, dramatic colours to highlight “yo” stitches). Looking forward to the snowflake samples on Crochetpedia! D.