Tunisian Crochet Stitch Tutorial
Tunisian crochet stitches are thick and uniform, which makes this a desirable crochet stitch to learn.
The Tunisian crochet stitch is known by several names: The Afghan stitch, Railroad Knitting, Hook, knitting, tricot crochet, shepherd’s knitting. Follow this step by step tutorial to learn the famous Tunisian crochet stitch.
Unless you have a traditional Tunisian crochet hook, which is a very long handled crochet hook, then Tunisian crochet is really only practical for making smaller one-piece items, such as wallets, headbands, belts, and other small items which don’t require more than a dozen stitches across the row. That’s because all the stitches stay on the hook, and any more than that, they will fall off the back end of the hook!
This tutorial is for a Tunisian simple stitch that can be completed with a regular hook or Tunisian crochet hook (depending on what you're making). Tunisian crochet is one of the most distinctive and traditional looks and lots of people like it for more than just afghans.
Difficulty LevelEasy
Materials List
- Yarn of choice
- Tunisian hook or hook of choice
To learn how to Tunisian crochet in video form, check out this tutorial plus lots of free Tunisian projects to try:How to Tunisian Crochet + 28 Tunisian Crochet Patterns
Tunisian Crochet Stitches Instructions:
Click on any image to enlarge.
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To begin Tunisian crochet, chain as many stitches as your project requires.
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Work back down the chain, as though making the first half of a single crochet, but keeping that loop on the hook as you progress down the row. At the end of the row, you will have as many loops on your hook as your chain (minus 1 to accommodate the turn).
So if you had a chain of 13 stitches, you will have 12 loops on the hook (as shown in the second image below). -
Do not turn the work,* yarn over, and pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * all across the row, until you have only one loop remaining on the hook.
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Proceed back down the row again, picking up a loop at each stitch. Pass the hook through the stitch that looks like a knitting stitch, and pass right through to the other side (second photo below). Count the number of loops on the hook to maintain the correct number of stitches in each row. (It’s easy to miss the last stitch if you are not counting!)
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Yarn over, and pull through to the front, keeping the loop on the hook.
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Continue down the row.
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This image shows 4 rows of Tunisian stitch completed, viewed from the back side.
This list of free Tunisian crochet scarf patterns includes crochet patterns for all skill levels. Ideal for winter wear and warm accessories, Tunisian crochet creates a comfy fabric that is dense enough to keep everyone warm:15 Free Tunisian Crochet Scarf Patterns
Have you ever tried the Tunisian stitch?
Let us know what you think in the comment section!
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kathyh18067 874766 6
Sep 07, 2016
I learned this when I was a kid but, the number stitches you start with as a chain is the number stitches on hook...also to begin the return pass you do one loop and all the rest are 2 loops...when did it change?
admrevrac
Jan 07, 2014
this tutorial covers the simple stitch. What about Tunisian knit, purl, slip, double, triple, and post stitches?
dawnschooling 5189 114
May 08, 2013
This is the same stitch I was taught many many years ago, It was called the afghan Stitch and is very easy to do.
flrallison 4836862
Feb 19, 2013
not very pleased with the instructions that are given was looking for help/instructions about "beginning wrapped double crochet group.and could not fin it anywhere. please help!(wdcg) stitch in crochet pattern book
lolitadea 7590825
Feb 03, 2013
Tunisian Crochet is usually done in what we knew as Cro-Hook. This is the AFGHAN STITCH!
smworks2much 40313 09
Jan 08, 2013
How do I add picots stitches to make a heart or other design while doing the Tunisian crochet stitch
littlesusieton 057 0218
Jun 21, 2011
The work always curls in on itself when I do it. It looks like I'm doing it right from the instructions. How do I keep it flat?
ileanacuba7
Apr 01, 2011
You would be able to find some patterns in youtube.com and they are very explicit on the stitches & of course if you go to naztazia.com yo would find more...hope this helps you out, I just started to crochet, knit and Tunisian and I love it...I used to knit when I was a little girl, but left it at that...hope to get better... my email for anything ileanacuba@yahoo.com
lkarr13
Jan 04, 2011
Do you have free patterns to make items? I used to do this a long time ago but no longer have any patterns. Also there used to be a hook with a cable on the end to accomodate wider articles, do you carry these??? Any info on this craft would be most appreciated. Thanks Lady K
ohiohilltoppers 93 34999
Dec 23, 2010
Do you have any free articles on the different stitches and how they are done?
Member 20444
Jun 24, 2010
your instructions are very good. I started an afghan many years ago with this stitch. it was called the afghan stitch then. My only problem now is I can't find the directions on how to finish it. Would you teach me how to do this or do you have a book with instructions that I could purchase? you can reply to joroki@consolidated.net. I pray that you can help me with this .Thank You. Joan
denjob
Apr 23, 2010
These are very good instructions. I would like to have instructions for a triangle pattern. My goal is to Tunisian entrelac stitch a oblong wrap. The look would be square on the outer edges, by using the triangle pattern. Thanks to anyone n
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