Ever fancied learning Tunisian Crochet?

By jo creates

Ever fancied trying Tunisian Crochet?  It is a lot simpler than you might think.  Here is a quick tutorial on how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch.#

How is Tunisian Crochet different from regular crochet?

Before we get into how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch, lets take a quick look at how Tunisian Crochet is different from regular crochet…

1. You will work each row twice

Each row of Tunisian Crochet is formed from a “forward pass” and a “reverse pass”

In the Forward pass, you will pick up stitches and add them to your hook.

You will then complete a “return pass” to work the stitches back off the hook again.

This also makes it quite a dense fabric without as much “stretch” as some other crochet stitches.

2. You don’t turn your work

You will work the forward pass and return pass with the “right-side” of your work facing, without turning your work like you would in regular crochet.

3. You will need a different hook

Because of the way that you work each row by picking up stitches, you will need a different hook for Tunisian Crochet.  Tunisian Crochet hooks are longer, allowing you to have a number of stitches on the hook at once.  They are sometimes also accompanied with a cable (like circular knitting needles) to allow you to work very long rows.

Tunisian-Crochet-Hook

4. You need to use a larger hook

Because Tunisian crochet makes a much denser fabric you will need to use a larger hook (width wise, as well as length-wise!) than you normally would with whichever yarn you are using.

For example, for this tutorial, I’m using Scheepjes Merino Soft.  It recommends a 4-5mm hook.  I would normally use a 4mm hook.

 

Tunisiah-Crochet-hook

For Tunisian Crochet, I’m using a 7mm hook with this yarn to create a flexible fabric.  I’ve also tried it with 6mm but it is slightly tight, it depends of course how tight you want your finished fabric.

It also depends on your own personal tension, as for regular crochet, try different hooks and see which work best for you.

How to make the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch

So lets get started…

Foundation Row

Start by chaining the required number of stitches, just like you would in regular crochet.

If you’re just trying it out, I recommend chaining between 20 and 30 stitches.

Chain-stitches

Foundation Row – “Forward Pass”

Now you’re ready to start your first “forward pass”.  Working into the second chain from the hook, insert your hook from front to back, like you would for regular crochet.

Work-into-second-chain-from-hook

Yarn around your hook and pull through the first chain on your hook

Tunisian-Crochet-Simple-Stitchdraw-through-loop-on-hook

Continue inserting your hook into the next chain, wrapping your yarn round the hook and drawing through one loop.  You will be adding stitches to your hook at this point

When you get to the end of the row, your hook should look like this…

forward-pass-is-completed

Foundation Row “Return Pass”

Now you’re ready to take all those stitches off the needle!

Remember in Tunisian Crochet, you don’t turn your work at the end of each row so keep the right-side facing.

Start by looping your yarn around the hook and drawing through the first loop on your hook.

Reverse-pass-foundation-row.jpg

Next, yarn round hook again and this time draw through two loops.

tunisian-crochet-simple-stitch-reverse-pass

Continue to yarn round hook and draw through two loops until you have reached the other end of the row.

Once you have reached the end of the row, your work should look like this:

foundation-row-complete

Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch – Forward Pass

So now we can get onto the stitch properly!

You will be working in the loops which you can see running down the front of your work.

Again, remember that you don’t turn your work in Tunisian Crochet so keep the right-side facing you.

Ignore the loop right on the end and start by inserting your hook from right to left into the second hoop

Tunisian-simple-stitch-forward-pass.jpg

Like for the forward pass on the foundation row, yarn round hook and pull through the loop you have just picked up

draw-through-one-looptunisian-simple-stitch

Repeat this across the row, until you get to the last two stitches.  The last stitch is treated slightly differently as follows:

The last stitch will be right on the edge of your work, as shown below:

last-stitch.jpg

For the last stitch, to create a firmer-edge, don’t work through only the front loop of the stitch, like you have for all other stitches.  Instead work under both loops of the chain as follows:

work-under-both-loops

That means inserting your hook with the both sides of the stitch into your needle.  Insert your needle in here on the last stitch…

last-stitch-forward-pass

Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch – Return Pass

Now you’re ready to work back the other way.  You will work this in exactly the same way as you worked the return pass on the foundation row.

Again, remember that you don’t turn your work in Tunisian Crochet so keep the right-side facing you.

Start by looping your yarn around the hook and drawing through the first loop on your hook.

reverse-pass.jpg

Next, yarn round hook again and this time draw through two loops.

reverse-pass-tunisian-crochet-simple-stitch

Continue to yarn round hook and draw through two loops until you have reached the other end of the row.

And repeat…

Continue making a forward and return pass for each row.  As your fabric stars to grow, you will start to see this gorgeous woven type texture appearing!

Tunisian-Crochet-Simple-Stitch-fabric.jpg

Don’t worry if it’s a bit curled, up, like stockinette stitch in knitting, it tends to do this.  Its nothing that a good bit of blocking won’t fix! (see blocking, why bother!)

Fasten-off your work

Keep on working until your fabric is as long as you need it.

You could just finish your work here, but I find that the top row looks a bit “loose” compared to the other rows.

top-row-has-gaps.jpg

To finish it off more neatly, complete this final finishing step:

Instead of adding stitches this row, we are going to stick with just one stitch on the needle, a bit more like traditional crochet.

As for all other rows, you will start in the second “loop” from the hook

Tunisian-Simple-Stitch---finishing-Row

Yarn around hook, then pull through both of the loops on your hook.  You’ll be left with just one, the one you’ve just pulled through.

finishing-row

Repeat this step for all loops along the row, remembering to end with both chains for the last stitch in the row.

finishing-off-finishing-row

And that’s it!  Now you have something which (I think!) looks a lot more even

tunisian crochet

Well done, you’ve now learned how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful!  Let me know how you get on in the comments section below!

44 Responses

  1. Catherine Chant

    I learned the basic Tunisian stitch many years ago in order to make a blanket that you then cross-stitched an NFL logo on (the grid pattern the stitch produces makes it ideal for this). I’ve just recently decided to try this style of crochet again after seeing a couple patterns that use several other Tunisian crochet stitches beyond the simple and knit stitches. I didn’t realize there were so many different stitches before, Now I’m eager to learn them all. 🙂

    1. jo creates

      I know! it’s exciting that there is a whole new world of new stitches out there waiting to be discovered!! what are you thinking of trying first?

  2. Nicole

    This looks like fun! I’ve considered Tunisian crochet before, but haven’t ever taken the time to learn. I think I should explore Tunisian patterns on Ravelry to get inspired to learn. Do you have any pattern suggestions?

      1. Nicole

        Wow, that’s fancy! I found a few scarf & cowl patterns that I like which are made using Tunisian crochet, so I think I’ll try those as starters. Who knows? I might decide to use Tunisian crochet for the blankets I want to make my niece and nephew instead of doing the Granny Squares I’ve been thinking about up to now. 🙂

  3. Carmen

    Thanks, you your demonstration of how to made every pass is perfect. Thanks for give us you knowledgment and your time.

  4. Carmen boffh

    Thank You for your knowledgmente and your time. Your explanaition about the way to made diz crochet are perfect.

  5. Judy Miller

    I have quite a few “Pins” and books on Tunisian crochet. Your instructions are, by far; the ABSOLUTE BEST! Thank you for taking the time to make such clear instructions and examples.

  6. Learn how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch with this easy to follow photo tutorial with step by step instructions.  It is easier than it looks, even if you're a beginner! Ever fancied le… | Free Crochet Patterns | Crochet Braids

    […] Learn how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch with this easy to follow photo tutorial with step by step instructions.  It is easier than it looks, even if you’re a beginner! Ever fancied learning Tunisian Crochet? jo-creates.com/… […]

  8. Learn how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch with this easy to follow photo tutorial with step by step instructions.  It is easier than it looks, even if you're a beginner! Ever fancied le… | Free Crochet Patterns Daily

    […] Learn how to crochet the Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch with this easy to follow photo tutorial with step by step instructions.  It is easier than it looks, even if you’re a beginner! Ever fancied learning Tunisian Crochet? jo-creates.com/… […]

  11. Anna

    Your instructions and each step are very clear! You ve put a lot of wprk to prepare them. Marvellous job! Thank you – it s not always the case with other peoples tutorials

    1. jo creates

      thanks so much Anna. I’m glad you find them useful. They do seem to take ages but if they are useful it’s worth it! 😊

    1. jo creates

      Hi Beth, I will try to post some pictures at some point but will try to explain. You’ll see that each row looks like it is made up of a row of boxes with lots of vertical bars running along it. Each row is made of both the “forward” and a “reverse” pass. that means that each row of “boxes” is a row of Tunisian crochet simple stitch. When you work a stitch you work into the vertical bar of each previous row. Does that help?

      1. Beth

        Thank you. Red hearts web site has some free patterns for making afghans in Tuscan Stitch.

    1. jo creates

      hi Roberta. it creates gorgeous textures doesn’t it? I’m afraid I’m not sure about whether there are books available sorry.

  14. Ann

    I am new to Tunisian and was lucky enough to find your tutorial first–it’s so wonderfully clear and easy to follow! Really close up, with every step shown, a real pleasure to follow.

    And I’m hooked of course. Just the simple stitch so far but all the others are beckoning irresistably😊

    Very many thanks for making it. Now to delve into the others!

    1. jo creates

      you’re welcome I’m glad it was useful! 👍 you’re right though all the stitches are so gorgeous!!

  15. Irene

    I liked your tutorial very easy to follow. I am learning all kinds of stitches and techniques for my projects. Thanks so much

  18. DARLENE

    Hi my name Darlene. I am trying this Tunisian crochet stitch. Mine doesn’t look like yours. I think mine is the wrong needle an yarn. Lol My needle is a “H” an my yarn is Red Heart super saver 7 oz. Can you help me out, please? This does look easier than regular crochet.

    1. jo creates

      hi Darlene, I think you can do it in any yarn and hook. the hook would need to be larger than you would usually use with that yarn though in my experience. its hard to say what the issue is without knowing what problem you’re having. Can you describe your issue more?

  21. Wendy

    Thank you for this! I keep getting messed up on the first and last stitches and end up with leaning edges. This explains it! Also, another trick I found to keep it from curling is after you make your foundation chain, rotate the chain so the back side is facing you. Insert hook in the horizontal bar of each stitch across (instead of the “v” shaped stitch you see on the front). Then proceed as normal. It makes it lay a lot flatter. You can also do a normal crochet sc or hdc edging all the way around. As long as you have the same number of stitches on each side, it will lay flat. No blocking needed!

  23. Theresa Rosenberg

    Thks for the tutorial. I am looking for a hook with the cable like in your tutorial. What brand is that.

  24. Sharron Hancock

    I can do tunisian crochet however i am not happy with the back of the work as the loops tend to be quite prominant. Should i use a smaller hookor is this just the way the fabric works up i have found no pictures to show the back of the work so as to get an idea of what it should look like. Any advice or help would be apreciated.. Thankyou

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