Tutorial: Tunisian Simple Stitch

Learn the basics of Tunisian crochet

Tunisian crochet is a fascinating technique using a long crochet hook. One row consists of a forward pass where you pick up the stitches and a return pass to work off the stitches. 

Chain your required amount of stitches.

For a nice edge, turn the chains slightly to the front in order to work into the back bumps of the stitches.

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over and draw up a loop. Leave the loop on the hook.

Pick up one loop from each chain and leave it on the hook.

For the return pass, chain one, i.e. yarn over and pull through the last loop on the hook.

Then yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook. Repeat to end of row. One loop remains on the hook.

This foundation row stays the same for all stitch patterns.

Insert your hook from right to left under next vertical bar, yarn over and pull up a loop.

The edge stitch at the beginning of a row is created automatically. It always remains on the hook.

For a neat edge on the left side, insert the hook under both strands, yarn over and pull up a loop.

To work the return pass, yarn over and pull through one loop on hook. Then always yarn over and pull through two loops.

There are several possibilities to finish your work.

You can either use:

- slip stitches

Version 1:

Insert the hook as for the simple stitch, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

Version 2:

Insert your hook under the next vertical bar and additionally under the horizontal bar, yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.

- or single crochet stitches

Work a simple stitch (= 2 loops on the hook), yarn over again and pull through both loops.

Let's compare:

left side slip stitches, right side single crochet

Depending on your project, one method might fit better than another. Try what you like best.

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