Tunisian Crochet can be a fun change from normal versions of crochet. It can also help you achieve new textures.
There are different versions of hooks used for Tunisian crochet. Some look like crochet hoods with a cord attached to the end. The ones I usually use are more like a crochet hook/knitting needle hybrid. They have a hook at one end and a metal/rubber/plastic stopper at the other end. You can find them in different lengths and will want to use longer sizes for larger projects such as large blankets. A standard crochet hook can be used for smaller projects or for the purpose of learning. The hook I use in this post is a size 10 of the Susan Bates brand. This is equal to a regular J size crochet hook.
Basic/Simple Tunisian Stitch
Start with a basic slip knot on your hook.
Your foundation chain needs to be equal to the number stitches across you need for your project (unless working working the double crochet style). For this post, I started with a foundation chain of 10.
Starting in the second chain from the hook and working in each chain across, insert the hook into the chain, yarn over, and pull through the chain. When you have pulled a loop through each of the chains, you will have 10 (equal to your foundation ch) loops on your hook.
When doing Tunisian crochet, you do not turn your work. Instead, you simply work back and forth. Once you have all your loops on the hook, you chain 1 (yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook.)
Now you will work the loops off just like you are working single crochets. *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops* Repeat from *to* back across your project until you only have 1 loop remaining on your hook.
This is what it will look like when you have worked all but 1 loop off of your hook.
Notice the vertical posts across the front of the first row. This is what you will insert your hook behind the vertical loop and back out the front of the project to pull up the loops for your next row.
Treat the loop that is already on your hook as the first loop for the second row. Insert the hook behind the posts from right to left, yarn over, pull the loop back behind the post from left to right. In the picture above, I have pulled up one loop and now have two on the hook.
Repeat this across until you have all 10 loops on the hook.
Work the rest of the row as before. Chain 1, *yarn over, pull through 2 loops* repeat from *to* across until you only have 1 loop left on your hook.
Repeat until you have reached the desired length.
This is what the front side of the Basic/Simple stitch looks like. This is generally the most common type of Tunisian style crochet stitch I come across.
This is what the back side looks like.
To finish off when a nice neat end, you will insert the hook behind the posts in the same way you did when you were pulling up loops before, yarn over, pull the loop behind the post AND through the loop already on your hook so you still only have one loop. You are basically working slip stitches across the top of the project in the same style you were crocheting. You can also use this end to finish the next two types of stitches as well, you just have to make sure you go all the way through the back of the project to maintain the stitch style when working in the knit stitch.
Tunisian Knit Stitch
To work the Tunisian Knit stitch, you start the same way you would for the basic stitch. After the first row, instead of inserting the hook behind the vertical post and back out the front of the project like you do for the basic stitch, you insert it behind the post and then straight through the back of the project.
Insert the hook behind the vertical post and through the back of the project, yarn over, pull back through the project to add a loop to your hook. Repeat across until you have 10 loops on your hook.
The loops are worked off in the same way they are worked off in the basic stitch. Ch 1, *yarn over, pull through 2 loops* repeat from *to* until you only have 1 loop on your hook.
Repeat until you have reached the desired length.
This is what the front side of the Knit Stitch looks like. You will notice the chain like V's down the front that mimic the pattern knit stitches in knitting make.
This is what the back of the knit stitch looks like.
From what I have noticed, knit stitch is usually slightly thicker feeling that the basic stitch and tends to work up slightly tighter for me.
Both Basic and Knit stitches tend to curl over on itself and it can be difficult to get the project to lay flat.
Double Crochet Tunisian Stitch
When working the double crochet style Tunisian crochet, you need to add a stitch to your foundation chain. Since I was working with 10 stitches in this post, I needed to start with a foundation chain of 11. You start by yarning over and inserting the hook into the 3rd chain from the hook to pull up a loop just like you would when working a double crochet in standard crochet.
Yarn over and pull a loop through the first two loops on the hook. You have now worked 1/2 of a double crochet and should have two loops on your hook just like in the picture above.
Repeat this across until you have 1/2 of a double crochet in each chain across and 10 loops on your hook.
Work the loops off the hook in the same way you would for the basic stitch. Chain 1, *yarn over, pull through 2 loops* repeat across until you only have 1 loop left on your hook.
When working the double crochet Tunisian stitch, you have to chain 1 between rows to bring you up to the proper height for the row. If you do not do this, your project will be shorter on one end.
For this post, I am working behind the vertical posts and out the front of the project just like you do for the basic stitch.
However, you can work straight through the back like the knit stitch.
Either way you choose to work through the posts, work the 1/2 double crochet stitches across and then take the loops off in the same manner as before. Repeat until you have reached the desired length for your project.
This is what the front side of the double crochet Tunisian stitch looks like.
This is the double crochet Tunisian style stitch from the back.
While both the Basic and Knit stitches curl back on themselves quite a bit, the double crochet stitch tends to lay much flatter. Unless you work with super tight stitches, it usually lays flat.
As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and ask or join the Facebook group.
Have fun with this unique crochet style!
Stormi
