How To Crochet The Tunisian Simple Stitch

Welcome to our exciting crochet along series where we’ll explore the fascinating world of Tunisian Crochet! We’re kicking off our journey with the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), the foundational stitch that forms the basis for many beautiful Tunisian Crochet projects. The TSS is perfect for beginners, offering a unique texture and versatility that sets it apart from traditional crochet. Join us as we delve into the step-by-step process of mastering the Tunisian Simple Stitch, and soon you’ll be creating stunning pieces with confidence and ease.

Before we start, did you check out the introductory blog post to this CAL? There you will find all of the materials you need, some links to some great introductory blog posts explaining many of the terms and showing you the foundations you need to know before you pick up your hook and yarn.

 

Working Your First Square

Now we’re getting into it!

Before we start, if you prefer video tutorials, scroll down this post a little.

In this post, I’ll guide you through reading the pattern and working the first essential stitch you’ll need for every project: the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS).

The TSS is crucial for starting any project, forming what’s known as the foundation row. This initial row isn’t counted as the first row in patterns or row counting. Similarly, your bind off row at the top isn’t counted unless specified by the pattern.

Materials List:

Note: this list contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you!

You can use any weight yarn and an appropriately sized hook for this project, as you’ll work your foundation row until it reaches the desired length. I chose to use #4 weight (aran) yarn for my blankets because it works up quickly, I have plenty of it in my stash, and it’s a common choice among crocheters.

For the green version, I used Brava Worsted by Knit Picks, which you can find at WeCrochet here.

For the yellow version of this square, I used approximately 120 yards of Paintbox Simply Aran in shade 221.

Both yarns are machine washable and dryable, making them practical choices for blankets.

I used a 6.5mm Tunisian hook for the green version and a 6mm Tunisian hook for the yellow version. Remember, you can use whatever hook size is appropriate for the yarn you’re using.

Handy Hint: In Tunisian Crochet, it’s best to go up one or two hook sizes to ensure your drape isn’t too stiff and to reduce curling in your project.

You will also need:

Where To Get The PDF Pattern

You can purchase the individual square pattern in any of my shops by clicking the buttons below. However, I would recommend getting the complete e-book of all 12 square patterns plus the joining and border instructions for one unbelievably low price!

Prefer Video tutorials?

If you prefer I have both a right and left handed video tutorial on my Youtube Channel to help you through this stitch.

Getting Started – the Theory

For our first stitch lesson, we are only working one stitch: TSS. It is up to you whether you work a gauge swatch first.

For the CAL, you only need to work up a 12″ x 12″ square.

Row 1

For Tunisian Crochet, you will need to know that a row consists of both the forward pass and the return pass (refer to our Introduction post to remind yourself).  You must have completed both forward and return passes to consider that row complete. 

 I’d like you to mark the very end stitch (farthest left stitch (or right stitch if you are left handed), two loops as per photo below) which will mark where you work your last “ending” stitch. (You can also refer back to the second bite sized Introductory post to be reminded of what that is). 

At this point, I would also like to show you how a Tunisian pattern looks:

Row 1:

Forward Pass–TSS across

Return Pass– Normal return.

Let Me Explain…

For the Forward Pass, we need to work the indicated stitch.  To do this, we need to grab up loops again.  But WAIT!  Not just any old spot will do! Each different stitch will have a specific spot you need to insert your hook into: what we call “bars”.  In ‘normal’ crochet we would call these vertical bars ‘posts’. These vertical “bars” along the row are shown below:

So Where Does My Hook Go??

Each different Tunisian stitch will have a different bar to pick up however, do NOT pick up the very very first one that is right below the loop on your hook.  If it helps you to know where to start, count your bars from the opposite end of the work–INCLUDING THE VERY END STITCH THAT WE MARKED.  When you reach the number of stitches you counted for your chain, you will know where to start.  Here’s another picture:

Technique

In the picture above, where I show you where to find the first bar, you can see that I skipped the bar directly below my loop that was already on the hook and went into the next bar.  Here’s the instructions for the forward pass:

1. insert hook behind next front bar, yarn over and pull up a loop.  Stop.
2. insert hook behind next front bar, yarn over, and pull up a loop.  Stop.
3. repeat step 2 until you reach your marked stitch: insert hook into TWO loops at the end (your chain up from previous row – as per the photo below), yarn over, and pull up a loop:

Now we have completed our first forward pass.

Next Step: Return Pass

To work the next part of this row, complete the return pass (which I find the ‘fun bit’) as follows:

1. Yarn over, pull thru one loop (this is your chain up and also referred to as the edge stitch)
2. Yarn over, pull thru two loops.  Stop.
3. Repeat step 2 until only one loop remains on the hook.

You now have completed both your foundation row and first row of TSS!

To continue, you need only keep working row 1 until you have the desired sizing.

The 12″ Tunisian Simple Stitch Square Pattern:

Chain any number of stitches until you reach 12” – this stitch has no stitch multiples so you can use any number of stitches to reach your 12″. As a reference using a 6mm hook and 4 weight yarn I chained 50.

Complete a foundation row as instructed in the introductory blog post here.

Row 1
F: insert hook behind first front vertical bar (not the right edge (or left edge if you are left handed) !) and pull up a loop, *insert hook behind next front vertical bar and pull up a loop; rep from * until you only have the left edge (refer to the blog post mentioned above) remaining, insert hook into two loops on the left edge and pull up a loop.
R: Normal return pass (see introductory blog post).

Row 2: Repeat row 1 both forward and return passes until your square measures 12” tall.

Bind off: You can do this with a 6.5mm regular crochet hook if you prefer—with the starting loop on your hook: insert hook behind next front vertical bar, yo, pull thru all loops on the hook. Note: You are slip stitching all the way down this row.

Insert hook behind next front vertical bar, yo, pull thru all loops on the hook. Repeat this process until you reach the left edge stitch: insert hook thru two loops on the left edge, yo, pull thru all loops.

FO. Weave in ends.

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