In need of a good DYI project or want to brush up on you crochet knowledge, well my dears, you have come to the right place.
Tunisian or too-nee-zhn
Tunisian (also known as Afghan) Crochet makes a thick, plush fabric with a beautiful texture. It’s very easy to learn and very satisfying to do!
This type of crochet has a couple of distinguishing characteristics. One, by the tool you use to work it, namely a long “Afghan” hook. You should choose a size that is at least two sizes bigger than the hook you would normally use with the same yarn. These particular crochet needles are also very long (because you will have a lot of loops on your hook at once) and have hooks on both ends.
Second, is how you crochet your rows. Normally you would crochet in a back and forth motion where you turn your piece around to the other side when you reach the end of the row. This creates a right side, where you can see the design of the stitch, and a wrong side, that is usually flat. With Tunisian you crochet on one side going from left to right and right to left without flipping your piece back and forth. This actually reminds me of knitting more than crocheting. I found some great pictures that help illustrate the steps in Tunisian crochet.
Starting with the picture on the top left corner, you can see you start the same way as traditional crochet, by chaining the number of stitches you need. For the next you insert the hook into the top loop of the first chain, yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook), and pull the yarn through the loop of of the chain. You will repeat this step till you get to the end of your chain (3rd picture top row). Once you're at the end, chain 1, yarn over and pull the yarn through 2 of the loops on the hook (1st picture on the 2nd row, left side). When this step is completed it should look like the example in the 2nd picture on the 2nd row. To keep adding to your piece you will need to move back towards the left and to do this you will be working in the middle loops of the previous row (3rd picture on 2nd row. Loops are highlighted in pink), and as before you yarn over and pull yarn through the middle loop. Your hook will again be covered in loops as you progress to the other side and once there, you repeat the same steps of yarning over and pulling the yarn through 2 of the loops on the hook till you reach the opposite side. Repeating these last two steps will allow to add as many rows to your project as you need. The very last picture shows what it will start to look like as you keep adding rows.
Patterns galore!
Practice makes perfect and once you master the traditional Tunisian stitch I found at least 25 different stitches that will make any pattern pop!
1. Honeycomb Stitch
2. Tunisian Knit Stitch
3. Lattice Stitch
4. Ocean Stitch
5. Seed Stitch
6. Smock Stitch
7. Pyramid Lace Stitch
8. Reverse Stitch
9. Tunisian Simple Stitch
10. Woven Stitch
11. Full Stitch (aka Gobelin Stitch)
12. Crossed Tunisian Stitch
13. Rib Stitch
14. Top Stitch
15. Extended Crossed Tunisian Simple Stitch
16. Bobble Stitch
17. Drop Stitch
18. Textured Stitch
19. Arrowhead Stitch
20. Brick Stitch
21. Wave Stitch
22. Laced Cables and Bobbles
23. Tunisian Purl Stitch
24. Straw Stitch
25. Double Crochet
Now what can I make?
There really is no limit to your creativity. Here are some examples of things you can create using this amazing style: sweaters/cardigans, blankets, rugs, scarfs...and more!
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