Tunisian Crochet

Tunisian crochet looks like a cross between knitting and weaving, yet you make it with a single hook. It produces a dense, textured fabric with neat edges that barely stretches sideways, which makes it lovely for blankets, cowls, headbands and scarves. This short guide is designed as Tunisian crochet for beginners who already know how to chain.

How it differs from regular crochet

The book starts by comparing tools, construction and fabric. Tunisian work uses a longer hook, usually with a knob at the end, because you hold a whole row of loops on it at once. Each row is worked in two stages: the forward pass, where you pick up loops across the row, and the reverse pass, where you work them off again. The result has a distinct front and back and a firm, woven feel.

Nine stitches to know

You'll learn the Tunisian simple stitch first, then the reverse stitch, knit stitch (which resembles knitted stockinette), purl stitch and a 2 by 2 rib. The guide also introduces the Tunisian double crochet, full stitch, basket weave and honeycomb stitches, explaining the texture each creates and where it works best.

Tunisian crochet for beginners, step by step

Detailed steps show how to work the foundation row into the back bumps of the chain, complete the reverse pass, work the knit stitch forward and reverse, and bind off for a neat top edge. A section on shaping covers increasing and decreasing within a row and at the left and right edges, and how to add buttonholes.

Patterns for texture and color

The final section explains how to work in two colors and presents ten stitch patterns created by varying how loops are picked up and worked off, including relief and nub textures. These are marked as better suited to crocheters with some practice.