Tunisian crochet is fun, easy-to-learn way of creating your own blankets, clothing, and more. It is similar to knitting in that your loops are picked up and left on your hook until you do the return pass. Below is a list of several types of Tunisian stitches that will help you on your journey to learning Tunisian crochet. I will add new stitches to this page over time. Have fun!

Click here to learn a bit more about the basics of Tunisian crochet.

Or here to learn some Tunisian crochet techniques.

Getting Started…

NOTE: You do not ch 1 at the beginning of a row unless the pattern tells you to do so.

NOTE: The two steps of each stitch type are equal to one row. However, some designers refer to the steps as separate rows. Be sure to read the pattern through before starting so you don’t have to frog later.

Foundation Row:

Like with regular crochet, you will begin by chaining the number of stitches you need. The difference here is that you do not need to chain extra stitches for starting your foundation row because the loops on your hook reflect the number of stitches you will need. The loop that is on your hook is the first loop.

Once you have the number of chain stitches needed:

Picking up stitches:

NOTE: Remember to keep all of the loops on your hook until you make the return pass.

Insert your hook through the second ch from your hook, y/o and draw up a loop. Insert your hook into the next chain, y/o and draw up a loop. Repeat this step until you have reached the end of your chain stitches.

You should now have the same number of loops on your hook as the number of chain stitches you made.

The Return Pass:

NOTE: When starting your return pass, y/o and only draw through one loop unless the pattern states otherwise. Drawing through two loops will cause a decrease at the end of the row.

y/o and draw through one loop only, *y/o and draw through 2 loops*, repeat * to * to the end of the row. You should have one loop remaining on your hook at the end of your return pass.

Now that your foundation row is complete, you can begin working the stitch you need for your pattern.

Tunisian Simple Stitch – TSS, (aka Tunisian Basic Stitch – TS)

Repeating these two steps will create your fabric. The two steps equal one row.

Step 1: Insert your hook through the front of the first vertical bar of your foundation row, y/o and draw up a loop.

*Insert your hook through the front of the next vertical bar, y/o and draw up a loop.* Repeat * to * until you reach the last vertical bar.

Insert your hook through both vertical bars of the last stitch, y/o and draw up a loop. This is done to create a neater, stronger edge.

Step 2: The Return Pass:

The return pass is almost always worked the same way for every type of Tunisian crochet stitch. I have not found one that is worked differently yet, but I am sure it is out there somewhere.

y/o and draw through only one loop, *y/o and draw through 2 loops*, repeat * to * to the end. You should still have one loop on your hook.

Tunisian Knit Stitch – TKS

*Insert your hook through the next st: under the horizontal bars and between the vertical bars, front to back, y/o and draw up a loop*, repeat * to * to the end.

The Return Pass:

y/o and draw through only one loop, *y/o and draw through 2 loops*, repeat * to * to the end. You should still have one loop on your hook.

Tunisian Purl Stitch – TPS

In order to work the Tunisian Purl stitch, your yarn is brought to the front of your work.

With your yarn at the front of your work: *insert your hook through the next vertical bar in the same way you would for the Tunisian Simple Stitch, y/o and draw the loop through so it passes under itself and through the vertical bar*, repeat * to * to the end of the row.

I find yarn under (y/u) easier than yarn over (y/o) for this stitch, but use whichever one works better for you. If done correctly, it will look like a small bump or knot.

The Return Pass:

y/o and draw through only one loop, *y/o and draw through 2 loops*, repeat * to * to the end. You should still have one loop on your hook.

Tunisian Double Crochet Stitch- Tdc

NOTE: You will need to chain 1 at the beginning of your row before making the stitch to prevent the sides of your work from bunching up.

ch 1, *y/o, insert your hook into the next vertical bar, y/o and draw up a loop, y/o and draw through 2 loops*. You do not compete a second y/o and draw through 2 loops when making Tdc. Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

The Return Pass:

y/o and draw through only one loop, *y/o and draw through 2 loops*, repeat * to * to the end. You should still have one loop on your hook.

Tunisian Treble Crochet Stitch – Ttc

NOTE: You will need to chain 2 at the beginning of your row before making the stitch to prevent the sides of your work from bunching up.

ch 2, *y/o twice, insert your hook into the next vertical bar, y/o and draw up a loop, (y/o and draw through 2 loops) twice*. You do not compete a third y/o and draw through 2 loops when making Ttc. Repeat * to * to the end of the row.

The Return Pass:

y/o and draw through only one loop, *y/o and draw through 2 loops*, repeat * to * to the end. You should still have one loop on your hook.

Increase

Insert your hook under the horizontal bar before the next vertical bar, y/o and draw up a loop, insert your hook into the next st according to the techniques used for whatever stitch you are using and draw up another loop, , continue as normal.

Decrease

Insert your hook through the next 2 vertical bars at the same time, y/o and draw up a loop through both bars. Continue as normal.

To make a decrease at the end of a row and create a slant; Pull through 2 loops instead of only one at the beginning of your return pass.

Finishing your Piece

You can use the hook you are already using, but it is best if you use a regular crochet hook that is a couple of sizes smaller than the hook you used for your project.

Insert your hook into the next vertical bar, y/o and pull through both loops as if you were making a slip stitch, to create a single crochet. Repeat this until you have reached the end. Don’t forget the last vertical bar. Fasten off.