Has ever a stitch taken the world by storm so fast as the Tunisian Strawberry Stitch?! Around the world and back in time, the origins of this stitch are uncertain. On top of that, there are multiple methods to make it! Today I'll share what I've come up with.
First, a quick history! The current hoopla began with a Thai language graphic that shopuifafghancrochet is reported to have made and shared. Then when that got passed around and people started trying to decipher it, someone else pointed out the site 108craftthai, and said they originated the stitch - and they have a chart for the stitch at that link (note - I've had a report of warnings from protection software on this site, so use caution). Meanwhile, another Facebook user was telling me about the afghan her grandmother made for her using this stitch over 20 years ago!
Since then a new pattern has come out using a similar (though slightly different) stitch, and another site has written out instructions as well. Clearly, the Tunisian Strawberry Stitch is a classic who's time has come around again! Drawing from the chart, the graphic, and my knowledge of the Tunisian Bobble Stitch, here's how I make the Tunisian Strawberry Stitch.
Tunisian Strawberry Stitch Video Tutorial
Tunisian Strawberry Stitch Photo Tutorial
This version of the Tunisian Strawberry Stitch is worked over a multiple of 4 plus 3, and using two (or more) colors of yarn.
Rows 1 - 2: Using Color A, work the standard Tunisian Foundation Rows.
Row 3: (Tunisian Strawberry Stitch – Forward Pass #1): The loop already on the hook counts as the first loop or stitch of this row. Work a Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) in the next two sts. Then working into the next st as for a Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS), make 5 dc as if you were making a bobble. In other words, *yo, insert the hook as for a TKS, yo, pull up a loop, pull through two loops, and leave the last loop on the hook. Repeat from * 4 more times in the same st. At this point you should have 8 loops on the hook - 3 from the first 3 TSS, then 5 from the set of dc sts. ** TSS in the next 3 sts, then work the 5 dc sts in the next st as a TKS, leaving the last loop of each dc on the hook. Repeat until there are 3 sts, left, work TSS in the last 3 sts. At the end of this row you should have the same number of loops on the hook as you had chains, plus 4 for each strawberry.
Row 4: (Tunisian Strawberry Stitch – Return Pass): Yarn over and pull through the first loop. *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, repeating from * until 2 sts remain. Using Color B, pull through the last 2 loops on the hook. Drop Color A but do not break - you can carry it along the side.
Row 5: (Tunisian Strawberry Stitch – Forward Pass #2): Continuing with Color B, TSS in the next 2 sts. *Then working into the tops of the dc sts, TKS in each dc. Yo, and pull through the first 5 loops on the hook. TSS in the next 3 sts. Repeat from * to end. At the end of this row you should have the same number of loops on the hook as you had chains.
Row 6: (Tunisian Strawberry Stitch – Return Pass): Yarn over and pull through the first loop. *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, repeating from * until 2 sts remain. Using Color A, pull through the last 2 loops on the hook. Drop Color B but do not break - you can carry it along the side as well.
Row 7: (Tunisian Strawberry Stitch – Forward Pass #1, alternating): Continuing with Color A, working into the next st as for a Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS), make 5 dc as in Row 3, leaving the last loop of each on the hook. At this point you should have 6 loops on the hook - 3 from the first TSS (the first loop on the hook), then 5 from the set of dc sts. ** TSS in the next 3 sts, then work the 5 dc sts in the next st as a TKS, leaving the last loop of each dc on the hook. Repeat until there is 1 st, left, work TSS in the last st. At the end of this row you should have the same number of loops on the hook as you had chains, plus 4 for each strawberry.
Row 8: As Row 4, ending with Color B.
Row 9: (Tunisian Strawberry Stitch – Forward Pass #2, alternating): Continuing with Color B, TSS in the next st. *Then working into the tops of the dc sts, TKS in each dc. Yo, and pull through the first 5 loops on the hook. TSS in the next 3 sts. Repeat from * to end, ending with 1 TSS in the last st. At the end of this row you should have the same number of loops on the hook as you had chains.
Row 10: As Row 6, ending with Color A.
And that's basically all there is to it! You continue to repeat Rows 3 - 10 for as long as you like. If you don't like having the strawberries so close to the edges of your work, work 5 TSS at the beginning and end of each Row 7 repeat, rather than just the one, as in the video.
I hope you've enjoyed learning more about this stitch, and I hope you explore the links above - there are some wonderful crocheters out there doing great things with this stitch, in all it's variations! It makes great bags, but it would also be very sweet on a little girl's sweater, dress, or sunhat! I can't wait to see what you all make with it. And you can try it out in a free Moogly crochet pattern: the Strawberry Basket Dishcloth!
Be sure to check out and like the moogly Facebook page to get the latest updates, links, and sneak peeks. Moogly is also on Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Sulia, and Google+ – come join the fun! You can contact me via the Facebook page or at TamaraKelly@mooglyblog.com.
Brenda McKinley
...WHOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!...Thanks for all the hard work and patience!!..can't wait to get this one going for my grand girls...:)
Tamara Kelly
Thanks for being patient! Wanted to get it all just right. 🙂
Penny
Tamara, you are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. It is such a beautiful stitch. I just love it!
Tamara Kelly
Thank you Penny! I appreciate that!
Pat
Tamara, I continue to be amazed by your talent and skill. Thank you much for sharing all your creativity with us. I have learned and continue to learn much from you. Again, thank you for sharing your patterns and your tutorials.
Tamara Kelly
Thank you Pat! I needed this today! 🙂
Shantier Franklin
I saw this first on Dearest Debbie's website (she had posted it to Google+ last week, I think) which is why I knew what it was. I didn't want to give too much away on facebook seeing as you were making your own tutorial. It is a beautiful stitch and it is a great stitch to have in one's bag o' tricks!
Tamara Kelly
Debi does a different version (I linked hers above), but they are both great stitches, with very similar results.
Kimberly DeMoise
Great job - now everyone can give this a try! Thank you so very much. This is how I did mine and I love the pattern....
Sandra
I love it 😀
Peggy Gay
Thank you! You are truly amazing!
Maz Kwok
How lovely! I gotta try this. Thanks for sharing your work 🙂
Debi
Awesome work! I love the variations for this stitch. Thanks for the shout out too. 🙂
Carina
Seen so much on Tunisian crochet but these colours I think might just make me try it. Thanks. Best wishes, Carina
Andrea
Tamara, I've been loving your blog/website. I found it only a few weeks ago and you've inspired me so much already! Thank you for all that you do.
Dharshani
Thank you very much.I am so happy with the strawberry.
wendy s
thanks a million! I'm going to try this with some orange and green to see if it looks like tangerines! fun!
Iin Wibisono
I figured out the same stitch in usual crochet method but yours looks so neat. I don't know how to do Tunisian crochet and your tutorial looks so yummy I want to learn. Thanks a million.
Here is what mine looks like using ordinary crochet stiches. ..http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/strawberry-pot-holder
Tamara Kelly
Very cool Iin! I love that!
MARRIE
AMAZING ♥♥♥
SARAH
Awesome pattern! This is so cool. I've just started getting into Tunisian crochet, and have been searching for variety stitches, although I've been crocheting for a while. Just so you know, I noticed in Row 7 it says "you should have 6 loops on the hook – 3 from the first TSS (the first loop on the hook), then 5 from the set of dc sts" -- that's 8 sts, like Row 3; and in Row 9, if one really did tss in the next st after the loop already on the hook from the beginning of the row, it would shift the strawberries a little over, wouldn't it? Anyway, thanks much for the tutorial, and have a great day! 🙂