If you've ever wanted to learn Tunisian Crochet, a great way to get started is with practice squares. Squares in cotton yarns make great dishcloths, and squares in other yarns are great for blankets or charitable square collections.
If you are ambitious, two quares would make great pair os basic fingerless gloves like we did with our
slip stitch practice.
Be sure to check out the
tutorial for how to work Tunisian forward and return passes.
To practice Tunisian Simple Stitch (tss):
Chain 26
1. Work a
Foundation Row - forward pass: insert hook into second chain and pull up a loop. Repeat for each remaining chain. (I like to use the back ridge loop of the chain to leave a nice teardrop shaped edge on the bottom.) You'll have 26 loops on your hook. Do not turn!
Return/closing pass - All return passes begin with a chain one. This will give you space for your next forward pass. The rest of the return pass removes two loops at a time. Chain 1 though the last loop on your hook only - i.e. your loop count won’t change. (Yarn Over (YO) and pull through two loops) repeat across until there is only one loop remaining. Do not turn!
Finished foundation row (including forward and return passes)
2. Insert hook from right to left under the second vertical bar - where the hook is pointing here:
Insert hook under each remaining vertical bar, pulling up a loop each time.
When you get to the last vertical bar, you can see that there’s a little more space before you reach the edge… this is where that chain one at the beginning of your return passes comes in handy. Insert your hook through that chain one and pull up your last loop.
3.Work a
basic return pass.
Repeat passes 2 and 3 to length.m Mine is 22 rows.
Work one row of traditional slip stitch or single crochet to
finish or "bind off" your last row.
Remember this is stitch practice! Don't worry about little mistakes here and there. I promise the dishes won't notice. ;o)
You can see a couple of mine here... and here.
Optional edging: Finish your last row with single crochet, and keep working in single crochet around all four sides of your square.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
To practice Tunisian Knit Stitch (tks):
Chain 26
2.Starting with the second vertical bar (insert hook from front to back through the vertical loop that forms the vertical bar, pull up a loop) across. When you get to the last stitch, insert hook under both loops of the chain1 rather than through it.
Another way to find the vertical loop until you get used to seeing it is to literally grab it and twist a little to see both sides of the loop.
Here's what it looks like from the top once the hook is inserted through the vertical loop.
Work one row of traditional slip stitch or single crochet to
finish or bind off your last row.
Again, if you look closely you can see my mistakes change the texture of the fabric. This is ok for practice squares so I left them for you to see that, well, we all make them!
Optional edging: Finish your last row with single crochet, and keep working in single crochet around all four sides of your square.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Hope this little taste of Tunisian crochet gets you "hooked" on trying more complicated stitches and patterns. Please let me know if I can help you find any answers... til next time!
