Tunisian (also known as Afghan) crochet creates a distinctive stitch pattern that adds an interesting style to your work. While it makes rows the height of single crochet, that pattern can be utilized in smaller applications quickly and to great effect. In larger applications, it is just as rewarding - if time consuming.
When done appropriately, the basic Tunisian knit can be used to create an excellent base for cross stitching using yarn when combined with the honeycomb pattern. (below)
Materials required: Tunisian/Afghan hook, yarn.
Casting on Tunisian crochet is fairly simple. First, chain however many stitches you want your finished piece to have, including the loop still on your hook. (That loop is your first stitch on every row.) Now, go across your chains, pulling a loop through the back of each chain and keeping it on your Tunisian hook.
The best time to double check your stitch count is during this process, as it is readily apparent how many loops you have on your hook.
To finish the row, yarn over and pull through the first loop. Then, continue to yarn over and pull through two loops each time as you go back across. You'll wind up with what looks like a sideways ladder. Don't worry, that will change.
Now, if you haven't decided what stitch variant to use, you have two common choices. The first is the Tunisian knit. You slide your hook in the front loop of the row below, yarn over, and pull through to leave the hook on the loop. This creates a line straight up and down, perfect for cross stitching on or just as a semi-ribbed look.
Notice how this forces the top side of the 'ladder' down behind the rows? That's what creates the actual fabric.
The second option is the Tunisian perl. For this one, you pull your yarn to the front of the material. Slide the hook through the front of the stitch in the previous row, then yarn over and pull through. This creates an L shaped stitch. Very decorative, it creates little boxes across your work if you do entirely a perl stitch.
Please notice, the only real difference between knit and perl is where your yarn is before you insert your hook to start your next stitch. With knit, the yarn travels behind the fabric. With perl, it's pulled in front.
Combining these two in an alternating pattern creates the honeycomb stitch. On each row, you would alternate your starting technique. Row one would be knit, perl, across. Row two would be perl, knit, across. This pattern would be repeated across however many rows.
To finish Tunisian crochet, use a normal hook to single crochet across the last row in those same front loops. This forces the last row to conform to the pattern while not starting a new one. You can edge as desired and then tie off and weave in the ends.
Have fun creating Tunisian stitch banners, pillow covers and other decorations!
When done appropriately, the basic Tunisian knit can be used to create an excellent base for cross stitching using yarn when combined with the honeycomb pattern. (below)
Materials required: Tunisian/Afghan hook, yarn.
Casting on Tunisian crochet is fairly simple. First, chain however many stitches you want your finished piece to have, including the loop still on your hook. (That loop is your first stitch on every row.) Now, go across your chains, pulling a loop through the back of each chain and keeping it on your Tunisian hook.
The best time to double check your stitch count is during this process, as it is readily apparent how many loops you have on your hook.
To finish the row, yarn over and pull through the first loop. Then, continue to yarn over and pull through two loops each time as you go back across. You'll wind up with what looks like a sideways ladder. Don't worry, that will change.
Now, if you haven't decided what stitch variant to use, you have two common choices. The first is the Tunisian knit. You slide your hook in the front loop of the row below, yarn over, and pull through to leave the hook on the loop. This creates a line straight up and down, perfect for cross stitching on or just as a semi-ribbed look.
Notice how this forces the top side of the 'ladder' down behind the rows? That's what creates the actual fabric.
The second option is the Tunisian perl. For this one, you pull your yarn to the front of the material. Slide the hook through the front of the stitch in the previous row, then yarn over and pull through. This creates an L shaped stitch. Very decorative, it creates little boxes across your work if you do entirely a perl stitch.
Please notice, the only real difference between knit and perl is where your yarn is before you insert your hook to start your next stitch. With knit, the yarn travels behind the fabric. With perl, it's pulled in front.
Combining these two in an alternating pattern creates the honeycomb stitch. On each row, you would alternate your starting technique. Row one would be knit, perl, across. Row two would be perl, knit, across. This pattern would be repeated across however many rows.
To finish Tunisian crochet, use a normal hook to single crochet across the last row in those same front loops. This forces the last row to conform to the pattern while not starting a new one. You can edge as desired and then tie off and weave in the ends.
Have fun creating Tunisian stitch banners, pillow covers and other decorations!
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