Tunisian Strawberry Stitch

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!

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