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So does Tunisian crochet come from Tunisia?
Choosing your hook
Hook Sizing
What else will I need?
Starting out with Tunisian Crochet
Rows
Forward and return passes
A Guide to Stitches
Foundation Row
Foundation Row Return Pass
Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)
Tunisian Edge Stitch
Standard Return Pass
Bind Off Row
Other Stitches
An Introduction to Tunisian Crochet
You can crochet, but can you crochet Tunisian style?
So does Tunisian Crochet come from Tunisia?
Not necessarily! The style of the crochet is similar to work found in Tunisia, but there is no evidence that that is where it originated! It is believed that this different way of crocheting is a combination of techniques from many different countries. It is sometimes known as Afghan crochet and was also known in some areas as Railway Crochet! (after girls that crocheted whilst waiting for their trains to work, during the industrial revolution)
I had no idea about Tunisian crochet until I saw some great projects shared on Instagram. They looked so neat and so uniform – they just looked lovely! I did what I always do – went out and bought a kit, but no matter how many times I tried, I just didn’t understand where to start. That is until I visited the Creative Crafts Show in Birmingham. I met a lovely lady who was offering trial sessions in Tunisian Crochet (@bowfiddle yarns) That was it – hook purchased and away we go!
Choosing your hook
You don’t need lots of expensive tools to get you started, just a hook and some yarn. You can use a regular crochet hook just to get a feel for the technique, but as you keep stitches on the shaft of the hook – a bit like stitches on a knitting needle – you will probably find it easier to make a small investment and buy yourself a Tunisian crochet hook. There are a few different types of Tunisian crochet hook. This what I found confusing at first, but it now makes a lot more sense!
You can buy a long straight hook which looks like a regular crochet hook with a long handle. It will have an end on it to stop the stitches from dropping off. These hooks work well if you want to create a smaller project like a granny square or a narrow scarf.
You can also buy a hook to which you then attach a cable. I found a KnitPro Interchangeble Hook with a KnitPro Swivel cable worked for me. The cable being able to swivel around as I worked, seemed to make it easier. Just like interchangeable knitting needles, interchangeable cables mean you can select the length of cable to suit your project. It also means that some of the weight of the project is taken off the hook so it’s less tiring on your hands.
You can also use a double ended hook. These are used for working in the round or for making a smaller project.
Maybe try a few different hooks until you find the one that works best for you and your project.
Hook Sizing
Tunisian crochet fabric is different to regular crochet. You need to be able to pass the hook easily through your stitches so it is important to choose a hook that is 1 or 2 sizes larger than you would regularly choose. If you don’t, you will find that you have to fight the stitches to get them on and off your hook – not what you want from a relaxing hobby!
| Yarn Weight | Tunisian Hook Size |
| Lace | 3 – 5mm |
| Sock | 4 – 5mm |
| 4 Ply | 4.5 – 5.5mm |
| DK | 5.5 – 7mm |
| Aran | 6 – 8mm |
| Chunky | 8 – 11mm |
| Super Chunky | 11 – 15mm |
As with other yarn crafts you will need to check your tension and it may be necessary to change your hook size to ensure the correct tension is achieved.
What else will I need?
If you have crafted before you will probably have most of the tools already;
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Needle for sewing up
And of course, your yarn! 😊
Starting Out with Tunisian Crochet
Rows
Tunisian crochet is made up of three different types of row.
- Foundation Row – your first row
- Standard Row – your working rows
- Bind-off Row – your last row
Forward and Return Passes
This will make a lot more sense when you start working.
- Forward Pass – when you are adding stitches to your hook
- Return Pass – when you are removing stitches from the hook
You don’t need to turn your work – you just work backwards and forwards along the row.
A Guide to Stitches
Front vertical bar
Back vertical bar
Top horizontal bar
Back horizontal bar
Bottom horizontal bar
Foundation Row
The first row in Tunisian Crochet is always the foundation row, hence the name. You will start your project by making a chain. Your pattern will specify how many chains you need to make – you can see how to make a foundation chain here. Try to keep the chain quite loose as this will make it easier for the next step.
Once you have made your chain you will need to work into the back of the stitches to complete the foundation row. You will skip the first chain from the hook and then insert your hook under the back bump of the second chain on your hook.
Yarn over your hook and pull through the chain leaving the loop on your hook.
Continue picking up the back loops in the same way until you reach the end of the chain. (You should have the same number of loops on your hook as the chains you worked for your foundation row)
Foundation Row Return Pass
Do not turn your work (this is different to ‘regular crochet’)
Chain 1 (yarn over hook and pull through)
Yarn over and pull through two loops. Repeat until you reach the end of the row. You will then just have one stitch left on your hook ready for your first row.
Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)
The first stitch you are likely to try is Tunisian Simple Stitch. This is the most common stitch and the one that I began with. Firstly complete your foundation row working as many chains as your pattern states. You will have one stitch on your hook.
Insert your hook into the second front vertical bar from right to left. Yarn over and pull through the loop leaving one loop on your hook.
Continue to the end of the row, until only one bar remains.
Tunisian Edge Stitch
The last stitch on the end of your row will have three bars. You can just work this stitch as you have done all along the row but to give a neater edge you can use Tunisian Edge Stitch. Insert your hook behind the two outer bars, yarn over and pull through. It can be useful to add a stitch marker around these bars to make it easier every time you reach the end of the row.
Standard Return Pass
After you have worked your Forward Pass you will need to work your Standard Return Pass. You need to chain 1, then yarn over and pull through two loops – as you did when setting up your foundation row.
Continue until you reach the end of your row again.
Bind Off Row
Repeat the two basic rows until your work reaches the size you require. You will then need to cast off to make a neat edge for the end of your work.
Insert your hook into the second vertical bar, as for the standard stitch, yarn over and pull through two loops. One loop will remain on the hook. Repeat until row completed.
Other Stitches
Once you have mastered TSS you can then go on to try other Tunisian Crochet Stitches
- Tunisian Purl Stitch
- Tunisian Knit Stitch
- Tunisian Reverse Stitch
- Tunisian Full Stitch
As with all hobbies and crafts there is still more to learn about Tunisian Crochet. Increasing, decreasing, working with colours…
Hopefully this has been a useful introduction and will get you hooked on this new technique. 😊
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