Tunisian Tips

  1. Here is an edging stitch that is really great. Looks good, and keeps the fabric FLAT -yes, FLAT.
    Called Tunisian Reverse Stitch, it is the Basic Afghan Stitch (Tunisian Simple Stitch)
    worked in the back of the fabric instead of the front as you normally would do.
    For a short video of the stitch go to crochetkim.com Tunisian Reverse Stitch and scroll down
    to the bottom of the list of tutorials.
  2. If you need to learn to knit to do ribbing on sweaters and are having trouble
    with the technique, try the "European" or "Icelandic" method of holding
    the yarn in the left hand.
  3. The last stitch of a forward row is actually the last stitch of the previous row.
    For proof -work several rows in one color and then change color for the next forward row.
    The final stitch in the new color will appear as the last stitch of the row below (last row of first color).
  4. 2 different dyelots of the same color can be blended (if the colors are close)
    by working a return row and a forward row with each dyelot alternately.
  5. Working with several colors:
    Vertical, Horizontal and Left-Slanting stripes are clean looking.
    Right-Slanting stripes are ragged looking.
  6. Most brands of crochet hooks can be used to practice new stitches or patterns.
    The hook will hold up to 16 loops of worsted weight yarn quite easily
    and you are not bothered with the extra length of the regular afghan hook.
    Choose a brand with a narrow finger rest for best results: Prym, Areo, and Millward
    are all good and so is Wright-Boye up to 5.00 mm.
    There are other brands available but I am not familar with them.
  7. Similar dye lots of the same color may be used successfully together.
    • *With dye lot A, work forward row.
    • Chain 1 with dye lot B and work return row.
    • Continue with dye lot B and work the next forward row.
    • Chain 1 with dye lot A and work the next return row.
    • Repeat from * for the fabric.
    This technique will also blend 3 different dye lots:
    • *With dye lot A, work forward row.
    • Chain 1 with dye lot B and work return row to 2 loops on hook. Join dye lot C.
    • Work the next forward row with dye lot C.
    • Chain 1 with the unused yarn at the end of the row and work the next return row to 2 loops on hook.
      Drop the working yarn and pick up the unused yarn.
    • Repeat from * for the fabric but ignore the dye lot designation since that will constantly change.

      Tip #7 will also work to blend yarn of the same color but slightly different thicknesses

  8. The regular afghan hook can be cut to about 7 inches
    to use for small items like baby toques or mitts.
  9. Working around the back of a baby bonnet requires the use of several hooks
    to turn the corners - very much the same as working with doublepointed needles in knitting.
    The flexible afghan hook will not work because the hook part is too long.
  10. Decreases:
    • Use TSS2Tog (basic afghan stitch) when working in Tunisian Knit Stitch.
    • At start of forward row: 2nd and 3rd loops together.
    • At end of forward row: 3rd and 2nd loops from the end together.
    • In the middle of the row:
      • 1-stitch pattern -2tog
      • 2-stitch pattern (moss stitch)-TSS 2tog, Tps2tog, continue with pattern.
  11. Yarn requirements: (approximate)
    • Knitting uses 4 times the width of fabric for 1 row.
    • Single Crochet uses 9 times the width of fabric for 1 row.
    • Tunisian Moss Stitch takes 10 times the width of fabric for 1 row.
      (Remember, that is a forward and a return row)
  12. The hook will hold 1 1/2 times its length in working loops.
  13. Work the stitches with loops under normal tension
    -bunched up or stretched out will affect the width.
  14. Tunisian Graphs:
    • Always start at the bottom right corner.
    • All rows read right to left.
    • Each row in the graph represents a Forward and a Return Row.
    • First row includes the starting chain; the last row includes the Bind-Off.
    • The above instructions are for right-handed crocheters;
      left-handed crocheters will start at the bottom left corner
      and read the graph from left to right.
  15. Tunisian ribbing: This looks like ribbing but doesn't have the stretch
    or spring of knitted or single crochet ribbing.
    • Any number of chains.
    • Row 1: Basic forward row.
    • Row 2: Ch 1, slip stitch in each vertical loop across including the first vertical.
      Turn fabric clockwise, draw up a loop in the back of 2nd stitch
      from hook and each stitch across.
    • Row 3: Basic Return Row.
    • Repeat Rows 2 and 3 for ribbing.
  16. Working over the yarn end:
    • On a Forward Row:
      • First Stitch- Make stitch in normal manner then place the hook over the yarn end.
      • Second Stitch- Make stitch in normal manner then place the hook under the yarn end.
      • Repeat First Stitch, Second Stitch instructions across the row.
    • On a Return Row:
      • First Stitch- Move yarn end from front of fabric to back of fabric between the hook and supply yarn.
        Complete stitch as usual.
      • Second stitch- Move yarn fend from back of fabric to front of fabric between the hook and supply yarn.
        Complete stitch as usual.
      • Repeat First Stitch, Second Stitch instructions across the row.
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