How to crochet the MINI BEAN STITCH (in the ROUND!!!)

Typically this beautiful textured crochet stitch is only worked flat in order to achieve the alternating slanting row, but I have a simple little hack that will allow you to achieve the exact same look working in the round!

There will be a tiny, nearly invisible seam up the back, but it blends in beautifully! This hack will allow you to work the Mini Bean Stitch (“MBS”) easily in the round, instead of having to work flat and then seam for all your in the round projects!

This is the stitch motif used in my One-Skein-Wonder Cowl Patterns– the DK weight version can be found in my Etsy and Ravelry shops, and there is also a One Skein Wonder Cowl LITE fingering weight version available on Etsy and Ravelry too!

The tutorial in this post is focusing on how to work this stitch pattern in the round, assuming you are familiar with the Mini Bean Stitch already. You’re not? No worries! I have another post showing you step-by-step how to work the traditional Mini Bean Stitch flat that you’ll want to visit to familiarize yourself with the stitch first! Lots of photos there! But need even more visual? I have a video showing you how to to crochet the MBS both flat and in the round!

*please note that the swatches shown are in a bulky/5 weight yarn and an L/ 8mm crochet hook. This is not what the cowl patterns call for, but they have been used to show the stitches in larger form for the sake of photos. There is also a ribbing section along the bottom of the swatch to mimic the cowl that is not part of the Mini Bean Stitch itself.

Here’s how it works…

First you have to get set up with a foundation round of mini bean stitches:

When working this stitch in the round, you will want to being with a starting chain divisible by 2. The amount of mini bean stitches you have will always be 1/2 the number of total stitches that you have. (for example, in my swatch I started with 24 chains, and was able to work 12 MBS over my 24 stitches)

Round 1: Insert your hook into the 3rd chain from the hook. yarn over, pull up a loop. yarn over, insert hook into same chain space, yarn over, pull up a loop (You should now have four loops on your hook). Yarn over, pull through all four loops, then chain 1 to close the mini bean. Skip the next chain, *Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on your hook. Chain 1 between each mini bean stitch. Skip the next stitch*

Repeat ** until you reach the end of the chain. (optional: Place a removable stitch marker/ progress keeper [or even just a extra piece of yarn or a safety pin or spare paper clip!] to mark what will be your right side). TURN.

Yes! TURN! Even though we are working in the round, here’s where my “hack” comes into play!

Now, with the wrong side (inside) now facing you, working the opposite direction/counter clockwise: Chain 2, MBS into the space created by the last MBS from the previous round (essentially skipping 2 stitches and working into the third stitch) Continue working the MBS around, slip stitch into the starting chain 2. TURN.

Round 3: Now with right side facing you again, and working as normal/clockwise: Chain 2, MBS into the MBS into the space created by the last MBS from the previous round. Continue working the MBS around, slip stitch into the starting chain 2. TURN.

That’s it! Keep alternating rounds 2 and 3 to your desired length! By simply turning your work, while still working in the round, you’re able to get the best of both worlds!

I hope you check out my One-Skein-Wonder Cowl pattern– it’s the perfect use for those special “loner skeins” of DK (or fingering) that you bought on a whim and then didn’t know what to make with them! I have pattern drop video for both versions filling you in on all the details! Enjoy!