Tunisian crochet offers a wide range of stitches and patterns. Some basic stitches are the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS), Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS), Tunisian Full Stitch (TFS), and the Tunisian Reverse Stitch (TRS). They can either be used individually or in combination to create a variety of different patterns.
If you are not familiar with Tunisian crochet at all, please first have a look at the general explanations of Tunisian crochet here. In particular, the section on the anatomy of stitches to understand the terminology used below.
Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)
The Tunisian Simple Stitch is sometimes also called the Afghan Stitch.
To me, the Tunisian simple stitch is THE classic stitch in Tunisian crochet. Its appearance is unique and unmistakable. It is one of my favorites.
Standard Foundation
Cast on the desired number of chains.
Forward Pass: start in the second chain from the hook, yarn over, pull up a loop an keep it on the hook. Repeat this across the row, always keeping the loops on the hook.
Don‘t turn your work.
Return Pass: Yarn over and pull through the first loop on hook. *Yarn over and pull through the next two loops on the hook. Continue form * until there is only one loop left on the hook.
For detailed pictures please see the explanations on the Foundation Row here.
Row 1 – Forward Pass TSS
- work from right to left and with yarn in back
- skip the first vertical bar (see white triangle in pic 1) of the Foundation Row / previous row
- insert the hook from right to left under the next front vertical bar, so that the vertical bar lies in front of the hook as for doing a front post stitch (see white arrow in pic 1), yarn over, pull up a loop and keep it on the hook (pic 2)
- Continue like this (pic 3) until you reach the last stitch (see white arrow pic 4)
- Insert the hook under both vertical loops of the last stitch (pic 5) yarn over and pull up a loop, keep it on the hook
- Don‘t turn your work.
Row 1 – Return Pass TSS
work from left to right, with yarn in back
- Yarn over and pull the yarn through the first loop on the hook
- * Yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook
- Continue from * to the end of the row until there is only one loop left on the hook
Detailed pictures are included in the explanations of the Basic Return Pass.
Tunisian Simple Stitch – Step by Step
Row 2 and following
Repeat the steps of row 1.
Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS)
The Tunisian purl stitch looks very similar to a purl stitch in knitting.
It is worked in a similar way to the Tunisian Simple Stitch, but with yarn in front.
Start with a Standard Foundation Row.
Row 1 – Forward Pass TPS
- work from right to left, with yarn in front
- skip the first vertical bar of the Foundation Row / previous row (see white triangle in pic 1), bring the working yarn to front
- insert the hook from right to left under the next front vertical bar (see white arrow in pic 1), yarn over, pull up a loop and keep it on the hook note:while working this stitch the yarn should ‚lie’ in front of the vertical bar (pic 2) – best is to hold it down with thethumb while working the stitch
give the yarn a little tug after finishing the stitch, just to tighten it a bit - Continue like this (pic 3) until you reach the last stitch (see white arrow pic 4)
- Insert the hook under both vertical loops of the last stitch (pic 5), yarn over and pull up a loop, keep it on the hook
- Don‘t turn your work.
Row 1 – Return Pass TPS
Work a Standard Return Pass as explained above for TSS.
Tunisian Purl Stitch – Step by Step
Row 2 and following
Repeat the steps of row 1.
Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS)
The Tunisian knit stitch looks very similar to the knit stitch in knitting. It creates a very thick and dense fabric.
Unlike Tss and Tps the hook is not inserted under the front vertical bar but between front and back vertical bar of the stitch.
Start with a Standard Foundation Row.
Row 1 – Forward Pass TKS
- work from right to left, with yarn in back
- skip the first vertical bar (see white triangle in pic 1) of the Foundation Row / previous row
- insert the hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bar of the next stitch (see white arrow in pic 1), yarn over, pull up a loop (pic 2), keep the loop on the hook (pic 3)
- Continue like this (pic 4) until you reach the last stitch (see white arrow in pic 5)
- Insert the hook under both vertical loops of the last stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, keep it on the hook
- Don’t turn your work.
Row 1 – Return Pass TKS
Work a Standard Return Pass as explained above for TSS.
Tunisian Knit Stitch – Step by Step
Row 2 and following
Repeat the steps of row 1.
Tunisian Reverse Stitch (TRS)
The Tunisian Reverse Stitch is a very textured stitch. It is worked similarly to the Tunisian Simple Stitch or Purl Stitch, only on the backside. So, instead of catching the front vertical bar, you work in the back vertical bar. That sounds a bit complicated at first, but it’s not! I am sure you’ll get it in no time, and this stitch really is worth trying. It has a very nice structure.
Start with a Standard Foundation Row.
Row 1 – Forward Pass TRS
- work from right to left, with yarn in back
- skip the first vertical bar of the Foundation Row / previous row (see white triangle pic 1)
- insert the hook from right to left under the back vertical bar (see white arrow pic 1) of the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (pic 2 and 3) and keep it on the hook
- Continue like this (pic 4) until you reach the last stitch (see white arrow in pic 5)
- Insert the hook under both vertical loops of the last stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, keep it on the hook
- Don‘t turn your work.
Row 1 – Return Pass TRS
Work a Standard Return Pass as explained above for TSS.
Tunisian Reverse Stitch – Step by Step
Row 2 and following
Repeat the steps of row 1
Tunisian Full Stitch (TFS)
In Tunisian crochet, the Full Stitch is often used to increase stitches or needed in an eyelet pattern to work in the spaces. Unlike the Tunisian Knit Stitch, the hook is not inserted between the front and back vertical bar of a stitch, but between two stitches, worked around the top bars.
If a pattern is created using only this stitch, it is often called Gobelin Stitch. It is a two-row repeat that creates a thick fabric and looks almost woven. The stitches are worked offset. In a forward pass, a stitch is alternately skipped either at the beginning or at the end of the row. So as not to mess it up, it’s a good idea to count stitches at the end of a forward pass.
Start with a Standard Foundation Row.
Row 1 – Forward Pass TFS
- work from right to left, with yarn in back
- skip the first and the second vertical bar of the Foundation Row / previous row (see white triangles in pic 1)
- insert the hook in the space between the vertical bars of the second and third stitch (see white arrow in pic 1), yarn over (pic2), pull up a loop and keep it on the hook (pic3)
- insert the hook in the space between the vertical bars of next two stitches, yarn over, pull up a loop and keep it on the hook
- continue like this (pic4) until you reach the last stitch (see white arrow pic 5) note: the last stitch of this row is made in the space between the second to last (see white triangle pic 5) and last stitch
- Insert the hook under both vertical loops of the last stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, keep it on the hook
- Don‘t turn your work.
Row 1 – Return Pass TFS
Work a Standard Return Pass as explained above for TSS.
Tunisian Full Stitch – Step by Step, Row 1
Row 2 – Forward Pass TFS
- work from right to left, with yarn in back
- skip the first vertical bar of the previous row (see white triangle in pic 1)
- insert the hook in the space between the vertical bars of the first and second stitch (see white arrow pic 1), yarn over, pull up a loop and keep it on the hook
- insert the hook in the space between the vertical bars of next two stitches, yarn over, pull up a loop and keep it on the hook
- continue like this (pic 3) until you reach the second to last stitch ( see white triangle pic 4)
- Skip the space between the second to last stitch and the last stitch (see red arrow pic 4), insert the hook under both vertical loops of the last stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, keep it on the hook
- Don‘t turn your work.
Row 2 – Return Pass TFS
Work a Standard Return Pass as explained above for TSS.
Tunisian Full Stitch – Step by Step, Row 2
Row 3 and following
Repeat the steps of row 1 and 2.
Have fun trying out!
Hooked on Häkelmaschen 