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    Home » Video Tutorials » Tunisian Crochet

    How to Tunisian Crochet: Foundation Rows, Simple Stitch, and Slip Stitch Bind Off

    Published: Jun 19, 2013 · Modified: Jun 14, 2019 by Tamara Kelly · 54 Comments

    Tunisian crochet is another one of those techniques that I put off learning for far too long. And it turns out it was easier than I could have imagined! So take a deep breath, watch this video, read this post, and try it - you can do this!

    Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com

    Tunisian crochet is usually done with a long, straight hook with a stopper on the end - sort of a cross between a hook and a knitting needle. But I've designed this tutorial for you to be able to give it a try without buying anything new! Just grab some worsted/ medium weight yarn and a US-J, 6.00mm hook, and watch!

    How to Get Started with Tunisian Crochet:

    So in the above video, I showed you several things: Tunisian foundation rows, the simple stitch, and the slip stitch bind off. Let's take a closer look in the photos and instructions below.

    Tunisian Foundation Rows:

    Row 1: Chain to desired length - any number you like. Then working into the second loop from the hook, insert the hook and pull up a loop from each chain to the end. At the end, you should have as many loops on the hook as you had chains.

    Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com

    Row 2: Yarn over and pull through the first loop - this is like a chain 1. *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, rep from * to end.

    Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com

    Tunisian Simple Stitch:

    After making the Foundation Rows, proceed as follows:

    Row 3 (Forward Pass): The loop already on the hook counts as the first loop or stitch of this row. So insert your hook, right to left, under the second vertical loop from the previous row. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Repeat in each remaining vertical loop to the end. For the last vertical loop you can go under just the one front as before, or under both loops - try both and see which you like better.

    Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com

    Row 4 (Return Pass): Repeat Row 2 of the foundation rows.

    Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.comTo continue, repeat Rows 3 and 4 until you have reached the length desired, then bind off.Get Started with Tunisian Crochet! This tutorial gets you going to day with no special equipment! Video and more at Mooglyblog.com

    Slip Stitch Bind Off:

    Insert the hook under the second vertical loop of the previous row just as in Row 3. Yarn over and pull up a loop, then pull that same loop through the other loop on the hook - just like a slip stitch! Continue in this manner to the end, then break yarn and weave in ends.

    Looks do-able, right? And that's all you need to get started! Keep going until your ready to bind off, make a bookmark or bracelet, and practice your tension and technique... you're doing Tunisian crochet! It's normal and expected for your work to curl as you crochet - you're actually working each row in front of the previous row somewhat, rather than straight on top. Using a bigger hook than you normally would (like a 6mm with worsted) and blocking usually takes care of it!

    I hope you've enjoyed learning the basics of Tunisian crochet! Now you can take those skills and make the Top of the Tunisian Scarf, Strawberry Basket Dishcloth, Tunisian Pebbles Dishcloth, or any of these 10 free Tunisian patterns!

    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, and Google+ – come join the fun! You can contact me via the Facebook page or at TamaraKelly@mooglyblog.com.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. 1

      Penny

      June 19, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Oh dear. Now you've piqued my interest! I had no desire to learn tunisian crochet, but after watching your video I MUST LEARN IMMEDIATELY! Ha! Ok, I'm gonna pick up a tunisian hook next time I head to town. Should I get the size J for the project you're gonna teach us?

      Reply
      • 2

        Penny

        June 19, 2013 at 10:58 am

        Oh wait - I just saw that you already told us to get size J. Ok, I'm all over this 🙂

        Reply
        • 3

          Tamara Kelly

          June 19, 2013 at 12:25 pm

          😀 Glad I inspired you!

          Reply
          • 4

            Penny

            June 20, 2013 at 9:57 am

            I've got my tunisian hook! Well, technically I guess it's a crochet afghan hook - but it's about 14 inches long and straight like a knitting needle - the description said it is used for tunisian crochet, so I guess I'm all set! Well, except for the pattern ......... 🙂

            Reply
            • 5

              Tamara Kelly

              June 20, 2013 at 10:50 am

              Perfect! Tomorrow morning! 😀

      • 6

        Pamela kilgore

        May 18, 2017 at 7:57 am

        CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF I HAVE TO DO AN AFGHAN IN ROWS OR BLOCKS, OR CAN I ACTUALLY DO A WHOLE BLANKET WITHOUT BLOCKING?

        Reply
        • 7

          Tamara Kelly

          May 18, 2017 at 9:27 am

          You can absolutely do a Tunisian stitch afghan in full length rows, you'll just need the Tunisian or Afghan hook that has the long cord at the end. This sort of hook allows you to keep all the loops from all those stitches on there, but lets the weight of them rest in your lap. Here's the sort of hook I'm talking about (affiliate link): http://amzn.to/2ruXcgB

          Reply
    2. 8

      Lisa

      June 19, 2013 at 11:24 am

      I taught myself the simple stitch from written instructions but was never pleased with the final row. I usually single crocheted around the afghan. Thank you for teaching the slipstitch bind off. That makes a beautiful edge. I hope you will teach other Tunisian stitches soon.

      Reply
      • 9

        Tamara Kelly

        June 19, 2013 at 12:25 pm

        Thanks Lisa! I hope to do more soon!

        Reply
    3. 10

      Heather

      June 19, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      I've used books to try to learn and was not sure I was doing it right...and I wasn't! (Hopefully I at least invented a new stitch, right? ;)) Thanks for the really great quality pictures!!!!!

      Reply
      • 11

        Tamara Kelly

        June 19, 2013 at 3:35 pm

        😀 I've done that before - when I first learned to sc I thought you were supposed to go into the BLO. Everything I made had ridges lol! Glad the tutorial helped you!

        Reply
    4. 12

      Alessandra

      June 19, 2013 at 7:51 pm

      thank you so much for this!!!
      I know what I'm going to do this summer!!!! ;oD
      xxxx Ale

      Reply
    5. 13

      Marta

      June 20, 2013 at 8:34 am

      Muy claro e inspirador! Muchas gracias!!
      Marta

      Reply
    6. 14

      Vicki

      June 20, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      Isn't this the same as cro-hooking that I learned in the eighties? Except that my hook was double-ended, and I worked two colors alternately, taking off and putting on with the new color, and turning the hook at the end of the row. Maybe I have my instructions somewhere...

      Reply
      • 15

        Tamara Kelly

        June 21, 2013 at 9:28 am

        It's similar, though as you say the hooks are different, and with Tunisian you don't turn your work. The Tunisian Simple Stitch is also know as Afghan crochet, and in the late 1800s was also called Tricot stitch, Railway stitch, Fool's stitch, and Idiot stitch. Some people also refer to it as Shepherd's knitting.

        Reply
    7. 16

      Virginia

      June 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm

      Hi Tamara!

      I just wanted to tell you that your patterns and tutorials are simply amazing. I love how you walk us through the steps so clearly and simply, I was wondering if there was a way you could make a video on a color change with this tunisian stitch? I am wanting to make an afghan (graphghan) and it calls for the color changes. If you would show us how to do that, I would be forever thankful!

      Your fan!
      Virginia

      Reply
      • 17

        Tamara Kelly

        June 22, 2013 at 1:51 pm

        Thank you so much Virginia! I hope to make many more Tunisian videos in the future - that will definitely be on the list!

        Reply
    8. 18

      Elaine

      June 25, 2013 at 2:02 pm

      Thank you Tamara. I have only just heard of Tunisian crochet. I always wanted to learn to crochet, but I couldn't remember the stitches, plus there were so many stitches with different names depending on where you lived. I took a look at your video out of curiosity and WOW I can do it AND remember, as easy as knitting. once again Thank you so much for sharing your talent.now can I find an easy pattern for a blanket for my expected grandson.

      Reply
    9. 19

      Jennifer Anderson

      July 04, 2013 at 6:30 pm

      Thank you for this tutorial. I have experimented with this stitch before but was never happy with the results. Your tutorial explains in a more simple fashion to what I have seen before that I now understand the procedure.
      Thank you for the time it took to explain & share.

      Reply
    10. 20

      Irma

      July 12, 2013 at 10:09 am

      Thank you so much for the video!! I just made my first dish towel with the Tunisian simple stitch!!!
      The only thing is that the ends curl up, is my tension to tight? what can I do so that it doesn't curl up??
      I used Peaches n Creme cotton yarn and a regular K crochet hook.
      Thanks, Irma 🙂

      Reply
      • 21

        Tamara Kelly

        July 12, 2013 at 11:17 am

        Curling is the bane and curse of most Tunisian stitches! The only one I've found that doesn't curl at all is the Purl stitch. What I'd recommend is a solid sc border - at least one round, two if it's really persistent. Then wet blocking (let it get really wet, ring it out, reshape and lay flat to dry) and you should be all set!

        Reply
        • 22

          Irma

          July 12, 2013 at 3:18 pm

          Thanks! I put a border on it and it is better! (one row of sc and one row of sc, ch 2, sc)
          I am going to try your other tunisan videos! I really like this kind of crochet.
          Thanks for the videos! they help alot!
          Irma 🙂

          Reply
          • 23

            Tamara Kelly

            July 12, 2013 at 9:17 pm

            😀 I'm so glad it worked! And I'm glad you're enjoying the videos too!

            Reply
          • 24

            Mary

            June 26, 2018 at 7:12 am

            If you steam iron the curl it will disappear. Use a damp cotton fabric between your work and the iron.

            Reply
    11. 25

      Linda

      August 15, 2013 at 4:42 am

      I like the new project, beautiful.

      Reply
    12. 26

      Bonnie Phillips

      August 29, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      Back in 1982 I made a baby blanket for my son who was born in 1983.. it alternated one square of lace crochet and one square of what was called "The Afghan Stitch". This Tunisian stitch is worked the exact same way as the afghan stitch. Are these the same stitches, except for with a different name?
      The baby blanket had little ducks, etc embroidered in the middle of each afghan stitch. I changed it up a little by adding rows of the Afghan stitch to the very middle of it and after he was born I embroidered his name and date of birth. Sadly the blanket got lost somewhere along the way. Thank you for sharing this tutorial.
      Bonnie

      Reply
      • 27

        marissa

        February 10, 2015 at 6:30 am

        Yes, Tunisian crochet simple stitch is also known as afghan stitch.

        It's an old technique, so there has been plenty of time for extra names to develop and confuse us

        Reply
    13. 28

      Bonnie Phillips

      August 29, 2013 at 3:57 pm

      Well, I googled it and answered my own question!! DUH!! lol.
      http://crochet.about.com/od/tunisiancrochet/ss/crochet-afghan-stitch-instructions.htm

      Reply
      • 29

        Tamara Kelly

        August 29, 2013 at 4:40 pm

        😀 You're too fast for me! Yes, afghan and Tunisian are the same thing. I believe it's had a few other names over the years as well! That baby blanket sounds adorable!

        Reply
    14. 30

      Bea French

      September 07, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      You do such a fine job with your videos! My interest in Tunisian crochet began about 2-3 months ago....I really doing like it! I'll keep my eyes open to your site! Thanx again!

      Reply
    15. 31

      Marrie

      October 14, 2013 at 7:32 am

      why are you so intelligent?... :@

      Reply
    16. 32

      CARMEN

      January 23, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      I have been practicing the afghan stitch, BUT when i do, it curls up on me. I 've done it really loose and tight, and no matter what it curls all the way up. am i doing something wrong, or is that just how goes?

      Reply
      • 33

        Tamara Kelly

        January 24, 2014 at 6:25 am

        Hi Carmen! Some curling is inevitable - it's just the nature of the stitch. But here's a list of tips from Kim Guzman that might help! http://kimguzman.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/tunisian-crochet-stop-the-curling/

        Reply
    17. 34

      Sheabella

      January 24, 2014 at 11:25 pm

      Thanks for the instruction. My left side doesn't look like yours. I am obviously picking the wrong two bars at the end. Ugh..could you show the left side at the end of the forward pass so I can see exactly which two bars make up the stitch? I would be so grateful. Also which tunisian hook are you using? I have bamboo and would rather use and metal. Is it an addi? TIA

      Reply
      • 35

        Tamara Kelly

        January 25, 2014 at 2:25 pm

        The hook I'm using is a Susan Bates - picked it up at a Walmart I think, about 13 years ago when I decided I wanted to learn to crochet and had no idea what I was doing lol! You can get a good look at the bars on the left side at about 5:44 in the video. 🙂

        Reply
        • 36

          Sheabella

          February 02, 2014 at 9:19 pm

          Thanks so much. I figured it out! It looks so much better. Good thing you picked up a tunisian hook way back then! 😉

          Reply
    18. 37

      Michelle

      April 30, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      I'm very grateful for this tutorial. I'm new to tunisian crochet and stumbled on this site after I'd already started my project. My pattern did not indicate how to end my project and I'd just assumed I'd finish the return row and be done. I'm so glad I found your cast off instructions. My finished project looks so much better. Thanks!

      Reply
      • 38

        Tamara Kelly

        May 01, 2014 at 12:52 pm

        😀 I'm so happy it helped! Thank you Michelle!

        Reply
    19. 39

      Kelsey

      May 06, 2014 at 1:22 pm

      I love all the videos and tutorials! The video I really need though is someone showing me how to hold my hook and move the stitches along as that is my biggest issue. It seems like videos I can find either show just a few stitches or crop out the hook hand.

      Reply
      • 40

        Tamara Kelly

        May 06, 2014 at 7:37 pm

        Thank you Kelsey! I hadn't thought about that - I'll have to add that to the next video! For me, I find it easiest to hold the hook overhand, or knife grip, then just scooch the stitches on down the hook, as I would with a knitting needle. (Scooch is a real word, right?)

        Reply
    20. 41

      lucretia

      August 04, 2014 at 6:39 am

      Thank you so much - been wanting to do tunisian for quite a while but kept putting it off. Now I know how easy it is (thanks to you) - all systems go 🙂

      Reply
      • 42

        Tamara Kelly

        August 04, 2014 at 11:16 am

        😀 Thank you Lucretia, I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    21. 43

      Sharon

      August 16, 2014 at 1:56 pm

      Is there a way to turn a knot or crotchet pattern to a Tunisian crotchet pattern

      Reply
      • 44

        Tamara Kelly

        August 18, 2014 at 11:23 am

        I'm afraid it's rarely a one to one translation, though you can design items that will have a similar look! The fabric has differences though.

        Reply
    22. 45

      Elizabeth C.

      August 19, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      I can't thank you enough for this tutorial! Every time i do regular crochet and go back to tunisian, i come watch this video as a refresher! Thank u!

      Reply
      • 46

        Tamara Kelly

        August 19, 2014 at 4:08 pm

        😀 Thank you so much Elizabeth!

        Reply
    23. 47

      Debbie

      August 22, 2014 at 6:36 am

      I have been crocheting for 41 years! I have never been interested in Tunisian until recently. You are a wonderful teacher!! Thank you for helping me learn something new.

      Reply
      • 48

        Tamara Kelly

        August 22, 2014 at 8:35 am

        😀 Wow, thank you so much Debbie!

        Reply
    24. 49

      Lisa

      October 16, 2014 at 2:55 am

      I just found your blog, and I've only looked at a couple of things so far, and I want to tell you, WOW!!
      I've been crocheting for almost fifty years, and I thought I knew everything :). When I first heard of Tunisian crochet I thought someone had only re-named the Afghan stitch and I didn't pay that much attention to it (I know everything, remember :P) I get emails from All Free Crochet, and today I saw your Pretty Pebbles Dishcloth and decided to check it out. You've shown me that I really don't know it all, after all!
      I'm going to watch and read all your tutorials, keep patterns, and go crazy!!!
      Thank you, thank you for all this info. I know it takes a lot to put all this together, so thank you for your time and patterns that you share.
      Lisa in Alabama

      Reply
      • 50

        Tamara Kelly

        October 16, 2014 at 10:06 am

        Thank you so much Lisa! That's one of the things I love about crochet - there's always something new to learn and discover!

        Reply
    25. 51

      Stacy

      March 17, 2015 at 7:31 am

      I love all your work and always get excited when I see something new! I just recently started Tunisian and find that I really enjoy it! But unlike regular crochet or knitting, my hands cramp for some reason. Does that sound like a tension issue? An my other question, can you use any worsted weight or is it best to just use cotton? Thank you for all you amazing videos and patterns, they are amazing!!

      Reply
      • 52

        Tamara Kelly

        March 17, 2015 at 9:41 am

        I think the hand cramping might just be the different style of holding? There's more weight on the hook with all those loops, so I can see hands getting fatigued faster. You can use any yarn fiber or weight! The key is to use a hook several sizes bigger than that called for on the label. 🙂 Thank you!

        Reply
    26. 53

      Beth

      September 10, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      When you count the rows you have done do you count the vertical bars to find out how many rows you have ?

      Reply
      • 54

        Tamara Kelly

        September 10, 2018 at 4:42 pm

        Hi Beth! That's the easiest way I've found. 🙂

        Reply

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