I have always loved the look of knitting, but I’ve tried several times to learn it and became frustrated when I made a mistake and had to rip out rows only to find I couldn’t get the work back on the needle. Because of this, I’ve stuck to crochet.
Then I discovered Tunisian Crochet (also referred to as Afghan Crochet). It combines the ease of crochet with the look of knitting, so it seems like a perfect marriage for me! To try it out, I did a simple infinity scarf using some yarn I had on hand and an aluminum Tunisian Crochet hook I bought years ago. I found after working with the hook that it was much too stiff for me and caused a lot of hand pain. I searched for an alternative and settled on the Knitter’s Pride Dreamz 6-inch (15cm) Tunisian/Afghan Crochet Hook Set 600151. I chose them because they included 8 Tunisian Symfonie Dreamz crochet hooks, four cords, one set of connectors, eight end caps, and four cord keys packed in a clear vinyl pouch. The sizes included are US Sizes 7, E/4, G/6, H8, I/9, J/10, K/10.5, L/11. I read the reviews and most picked this as the one set to own. I’ll be using them on my next project, so I’ll let you know how that goes.
I also picked up the Tunisian Crochet Stitch Guide by Kim Guzman. I know all of the stitches can be found online, but I love having the book to reference while I’m working on a project. It’s a tutorial on basic stitches, how to read Tunisian Crochet patterns, what the specific symbols are, and information like how to do foundation rows and cast off.
I used the video below to help me understand the Tunisian foundation row, the Tunisian Simple Stitch (tss), and casting off. With it, I made a simple scarf as a way to practice the stitch and get more comfortable with the process. I’m pretty excited to learn more stitches and techniques. By the way, the tutorial doesn’t cover changing colors – I pulled the new color through the last tss and then cut and buried the ends.
Easy Tunisian Crochet Infinity Scarf – Free Pattern
Tunisian Simple Stitch = tss
Approximate finished size = 66″ x 6″
- Color A – 2 skeins Caron Simply Soft Yarn, 6 Ounces/315 Yards, Bone (the yarn I used was Bernat Waverly Yarn – Antique which is discontinued)
- Color B – 1 skein (Simply Soft Yarn H97003 6-Ounce/315-Yard Skein of Yarn, Plum Wine)
- Tunisian Crochet Hook Size H
- Darning Needle
Ch 25 (see video below for Tunisian Crochet Tutorial)
tss 24
Pattern Repeat:
- 15 rows of Bone
- 5 rows Plum Wine
- 5 rows Bone
- 5 rows Plum Wine
- 5 rows Bone
- 5 rows Plum Wine
Complete 6 pattern repeats then bind off* and sew ends together with darning needle.
Yarn Substitution; Caron Simply Soft Yarn, 6 Ounces/315 Yards, Bone
Caron Simply Soft Yarn, 6 Ounces/315 Yards, Plum Wine
* Tunisian Video Crochet Tutorial
Covers foundation row, tss, and binding off
So what do you think? Have you tried Tunisian?
Can you supply a little more detail on the color change technique you did? Your color changes are so nice and neat and I haven’t figured out how to do that.
Do you add the new color at the end of your forward pass, or the end of your return pass?
Hi Tracie – I used the video that’s linked. It was my first Tunisian crochet project.
One of these days I want to try to Tunisian crochet. This is actually what my grandmother uses for her giant afghans that she makes for people. I love the way it looks and can not wait to try soon.
Beth – it’s so easy. I bought the hooks and am playing around with them. The wood part is only 6″ long, which feels weird to me, so I need to force myself to get used to them.