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how to tunisian crochet

Here’s a beginner‑friendly guide on how to Tunisian crochet , laid out like a helpful blog post with mini sections, bullets, and a bit of storytelling flair.

How to Tunisian Crochet (Beginner Guide)

Imagine knitting and crochet had a calm, orderly cousin—that’s Tunisian crochet. It uses a longer hook, builds up lots of loops (like knitting), but you still work with one hook (like crochet).

Quick Scoop

  • You work each row in two parts : a forward pass (collect loops) and a return pass (work them off).
  • You need a Tunisian hook (long hook, or a hook with cable/stopper) and smooth yarn.
  • The first stitch you’ll learn is usually Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) , which creates a neat, grid‑like fabric.
  • Great starter projects: dishcloths, scarves, simple blankets.
  • The big “aha”: you don’t turn your work every row like regular crochet—you keep the same side facing you.

Tools and Materials

You don’t need a studio’s worth of gear, just a few basics:

  • Tunisian crochet hook
    • Longer than a normal hook, often with a stopper or cable so loops don’t fall off.
    • Start with 5 mm–6.5 mm (US H–J) for worsted weight yarn.
  • Yarn
    • Choose a smooth, light‑colored yarn so you can see the stitches.
    • Worsted or DK are great for beginners.
  • Extras
    • Scissors, yarn needle.
    • Optional: stitch markers to mark the first and last stitch.

Mini story: Many beginners try Tunisian crochet with a normal hook and maybe 10–15 stitches just to feel the motion before buying a special hook—it’s a perfectly fine way to test it.

Core Idea: Two‑Pass Rows

In Tunisian crochet, one row = two passes :

  1. Forward pass
    • Work from right to left.
    • Pick up loops and keep them on the hook (your hook fills up).
  2. Return pass
    • Work back from left to right.
    • Yarn over, pull through loops and “empty” the hook.

You don’t turn your work between these passes; the same side always faces you.

Step‑by‑Step: Your First Tunisian Swatch (TSS)

We’ll walk through a tiny rectangle in Tunisian Simple Stitch.

1. Make a foundation chain

  1. Make a slipknot and place it on the hook.
  2. Chain 12–15 stitches (any small number is fine while learning).
  3. Try to keep the chains relaxed—not too tight.

Think of this chain as the soil you’re planting your Tunisian stitches into.

2. Foundation row – forward pass

  1. Ignore the chain on your hook.
  2. Insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook , yarn over, and pull up a loop.
  3. Leave that new loop on the hook.
  4. Repeat: insert into the next chain, yarn over, pull up a loop, and leave it on the hook , all the way across.

At the end, you’ll have many loops stacked on the hook—one for each chain, plus the starting loop.

3. Foundation row – return pass

  1. Yarn over and pull through one loop only (this creates a neat edge).
  2. Then repeat across the row:
    • Yarn over, pull through two loops.
    • Yarn over, pull through two loops again.
    • Keep doing this until only one loop remains on your hook.

That one remaining loop is the first stitch of the next row.

4. Regular Tunisian Simple Stitch row – forward pass

From now on, you usually start rows like this:

  1. Do not work into the first vertical bar (the loop already on your hook is your first stitch).
  2. Look at your fabric: you’ll see vertical bars across it.
  3. Insert the hook under the next vertical bar from right to left.
  4. Yarn over and pull up a loop, leave it on the hook.
  5. Repeat across, working under each vertical bar until you reach the last stitch.

Last stitch of the row:

  • Insert the hook under both strands at the very edge of the fabric (the side “V”).
  • Yarn over, pull up a loop.
  • This keeps your edge straight and tidy.

5. Regular row – return pass

Return passes stay mostly the same:

  1. Yarn over, pull through one loop.
  2. Then repeat: yarn over, pull through two loops at a time across the row.
  3. Stop when only one loop is left on your hook.

Repeat the forward and return passes until your piece is the height you want.

Binding Off (Finishing the Top Edge)

To create a finished top edge so the last row matches the rest:

  1. Work a final forward pass in TSS as usual so you have loops on the hook.
  2. Now, instead of a full return pass, you slip stitch across :
    • Insert under the next vertical bar.
    • Yarn over and pull through both the vertical bar and the loop on your hook at once (a slip stitch).
    • Repeat under each vertical bar across.
  3. Cut the yarn, pull the tail through the last loop, and tighten.

This binds off and gives you a clean top edge.

Common Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes)

  • Sides “leaning” or getting wavy
    • Make sure you always work that last edge stitch under both strands.
    • Keep your tension relaxed, especially on the return pass.
  • Fabric curling at the bottom
    • Curling is normal with Tunisian, especially TSS.
    • Use a larger hook size than you would for regular crochet, and consider adding a simple crochet border after.
  • Too tight loops on the hook
    • Try lifting the hook slightly as you pull up loops to keep them loose.
    • You can size up your hook if everything feels stiff.

Where to Go Next: Different Tunisian Stitches

Once you’re comfortable with Simple Stitch, you can branch out:

  • Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS)
    • Looks very much like knitting.
    • Instead of going under the front vertical bar, you insert the hook between the front and back vertical bars (through the “center” of the stitch) and pull up a loop.
  • Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS)
    • Similar motion to purling in knitting.
    • Yarn is held in front, you bring it around the hook to create a purl bump.
  • Tunisian Treble / other textured stitches
    • Add height, lace, or interesting textures.
    • Great for shawls, sweaters, and decorative panels.

A fun mini project: make a stitch sampler scarf , changing stitches every few rows so you can see how each one behaves.

Simple Practice Routine

Try this little “daily practice” for a week:

  1. Chain 15.
  2. Make a Tunisian Simple Stitch swatch about 10 rows tall.
  3. Bind off and add a simple single‑crochet border around it.
  4. Each day, focus on one thing (even edges, relaxed tension, counting stitches).

By the end of the week, you’ll have multiple little squares and very confident hands.

A Note on “Latest News” and Forums

Tunisian crochet has been trending in recent years because:

  • Designers are releasing modern garments and blankets using Tunisian techniques.
  • Many crafters share Tunisian temperature blankets, fade scarves, and scrap projects on forums and social media.
  • New hook sets (especially interchangeable cable hooks) make larger projects easier and more comfortable on the wrists.

If you like community vibes, look up current Tunisian crochet forum threads or social groups —you’ll find people sharing tips, troubleshooting curling, and comparing favorite hook brands.

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TL;DR

  • Use a Tunisian hook and a simple yarn.
  • Chain a base, then work a foundation row with a forward pass (pick up loops) and a return pass (work them off).
  • For Tunisian Simple Stitch, insert under each vertical bar, pull up loops, then work a normal return pass.
  • Bind off with slip stitches across the final row.
  • Expect some curl, practice on small swatches, and then move on to scarves, blankets, or samplers.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.