Recently I’ve been delving into the world of Tunisian crochet and I’m absolutely loving learning new Tunisian crochet stitches! So much so, that I am making my 2021 temperature blanket using the Tunisian Simple Stitch. I’m making three panels using Tunisian simple stitch and can’t wait to watch this project grow over the next year. If you haven’t already started a 2021 crochet temperature blanket, it’s not too late to begin now. You can find some inspiration with my blog post ‘Ten Temperature Blanket Crochet Patterns’. I’m currently a week behind on mine already but, you can see the first five rows in the photo below. I’ve opted for Stylecraft Special DK yarn, it’s one of my favourites – inexpensive, soft and available in a huge range of colours making it perfect for a temperature blanket.
What Is Tunisian Crochet?
Tunisian Crochet is a little different to the traditional crochet techniques you may be familiar with, for starters, you use a different type of hook. A Tunisian crochet hook has a much longer handle which you use to hold stitches – much like in knitting. You can also have Tunisian crochet hooks with long cords rather than long handles for larger projects such as blankets. The good news is if you’d like to try a Tunisian Crochet project without investing in new hooks, you can! You can make smaller projects such as the Simple Tunisian Crochet Ear Warmer *Pattern and Tutorial* with a standard crochet hook.
Another thing to note about Tunisian crochet is you do everything on the right side of the project working back and forth, you never turn your work. In Tunsian patterns you’ll find instructions for the forward pass (working right to left) and the return pass (working left to right).
If Tunisian crochet is something you would like to try, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite Tunisian crochet stitches! For most of these swatches, I’ve used Yarn and Colors Epic which really shows off the stitch definition.
Tunisian Simple Stitch
Tunisian simple stitch is the first stitch many people learn when picking up Tunisian crochet for the first time. As the name suggests, it is one of the easiest stitches to master. It has a one-row repeat and can be worked over any number of stitches. For the forward pass, you work into the vertical bars which are easily visible in the picture above. This stitch is perfect for anyone who is new to Tunisian crochet.
Tunisian Knit Stitch
If you like the look of knitting but prefer to crochet, the Tunisian knit stitch is for you! As you can see from the photo it looks almost identical to knitting. It’s another really easy stitch to learn and just like the Tunisian simple stitch it can be worked over any number of stitches. The Tunisian knit stitch creates a thick fabric, perfect for scarves or sweaters.
Tunisian Full Stitch
The Tunisian full stitch, also known as the Gobelin stitch is a two-row repeat stitch. This means there are two different forward passes which alternate each row. Unlike the previous two stitches, this one is worked by pulling up loops between stitches instead of working into the stitches.
Tunisian Mesh Stitch
The Tunisian mesh stitch creates a loose fabric making it ideal for shawls or market bags. There are a few different types of mesh stitch but the one I have made is a one-row repeat over an odd number of stitches. This is a really simple Tunisian stitch that works up very quickly so is ideal for beginner Tunisian crocheters.
Tunisian Smock Stitch
The Tunisian smock stitch is highly textured, making it really stand out amongst the other stitches. It has a row-repeat worked over an even number of stitches. For beginners it can be a challenging stitch to grasp but, the payoff is worth it. The Tunisian smock stitch looks amazing when used to create cushions.
Tunisian Diagonal Lattice Stitch
The Tunisian diagonal lattice stitch is instantly recognisable by its sloping bars. It’s another stitch that has a two-row repeat and is worked over an odd number of stitches. I’ve seen this stitch used in a few Tunisian crochet headband patterns – a quick and easy project for your first Tunisian crochet item.
Tunisian Double Seed Stitch
The Tunisian double seed stitch is another one that resembles knitting. It uses the Tunisian knit stitch and Tunisian purl stitch, with a four-row repeat worked over an even number of stitches. The texture of this stitch would make a great scarf, a nice and simple project for you to practice the Tunisian double seed stitch.
Tunisian Arrow Head Stitch
The Tunisian arrowhead stitch somewhat resembles the Tunisian mesh stitch but, is slightly more complex. Unlike the mesh stitch, it has a two-row repeat but still creates an airy fabric, making it perfect for summer garments.
Tunisian Brick Stitch
The Tunisian brick stitch is the first of two stitches I’ve included which incorporate colour changes. This one creates straight lines and sharp edges accentuating the contrasting colours. Rather than working over an even or odd number of stitches for this one, you’ll need a multiple of 4 + 1. Although this stitch looks complex it only uses the Tunisian simple stitch and the long Tunisian front post double crochet which is much easier than it sounds!
Tunisian Wave Stitch
Finally, the Tunisian wave stitch is the second of the colour change stitches I’ve included. Whilst the brick stitch works best using just two different colours, the wave stitch can be used with as many colours as you like. For this stitch, you’ll need to use the Tunisian slip stitch, simple stitch and double crochet. It’s certainly one of the more difficult stitches on the list but, it looks amazing and would work well for a rainbow blanket.
Let me know in the comments which of these Tunisian crochet stitches is your favourite and which one you’ll be trying next!
