Alternating stitches, colours, yarns, or hooks are some of the techniques you can use to change the texture and appearance of your projects. Below I will list some of the techniques I have learned or have been wanting to try. I will be updating this page periodically.

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

Or here to learn some Tunisian crochet stitches.

Let’s get started…

Introducing a New Colour or Yarn Type

Adding new colours or switching yarn types can liven up a project. To do this, you simply add the new yarn while completing the final stitch on the return pass of the row right before the new colour or yarn type is required. This will keep your changes even. Make sure you leave a starting and ending tail so you can weave them in later.

Tweed Effect

The tweed effect is a fun way to add colour to a plain project. To create the effect, your new colour is introduced at the beginning of your return pass instead of at the end of it.

You begin by picking up your stitches with your main colour, then complete the return pass with the new colour.

For the next row, you pick up your stitches with the new colour, then complete the return pass with your main colour.

You will continue to alternate colours this way until you have completed the desired length for that effect.

Horizontal Buttonhole Technique

Work your row as normal. When you reach the spot where your buttonhole should be, skip the number of stitches to match the width of your button. Continue to work the stitch you have been using until you reach the spot where you need a buttonhole. work the number of single crochet stitches needed to accommodate your button. See important note below. Continue to work your stitches to the next place a buttonhole is needed or to the end of the row.

Important note: The single crochet stitches worked for your buttonhole are worked the same way as when you are finishing your piece. Insert the hook into the next stitch, y/o and draw up a loop, y/o and draw through 2 loops.

The Return Pass:

Complete your return pass as normal, but when you reach the stitches that were cast off, chain that number of stitches.

On your next row, work your stitches as normal, but when you reach the chain spaces, draw up a loop in each chain the way you would do for a foundation row. Complete the return pass as normal.

Border Techniques

When adding borders to the sides of your work, make sure you work both the single loose bar and the horizontal bar of each row end. This will help you to avoid holes in your work.

~More to come~

Invisible Joins Technique

To help keep your seams from being too obvious, place your pieces together with their right sides facing each other. Make sure they are lined up correctly. Using a hook that is a size smaller than the hook you used for your project, work a single crochet through the vertical bars of each piece.

~More to come~