What is Tunisian crochet?

Tunisian crochet - or Afghan knitting, as it's also known - is a form of blending knitting and crochet, the finished structure of which is similar to weaving. This technique often creates a rather sturdy and inelastic structure in the finished product, making it ideal for making outdoor clothing, for example. The result is a dense and strong structure that often resembles weaving.

However, you can also utilize the strong structure to make cushions, blankets, potholders, bags, purses, and much more. In general, Tunisian crochet is great for creating many different types of homeware and accessories. However, this technique is also ideal for creating sturdy and durable products, making it extremely suitable for outdoor clothing.

As with knitting and crochet, there are a number of different techniques in Tunisian crochet that allow you to create all kinds of different patterns. Many of these techniques share names with knitting, so you can also use Tunisian crochet to create ribbed edges, bead patterns, etc.

A Tunisian crochet hook - the most important tool

When doing Tunisian crochet, you need a special type of needle. This needle looks like a regular crochet hook on one end, but it has a stopper on the opposite end to prevent stitches from falling off - just like on a jumper needle.

If you're very curious to try Tunisian crochet but don't own the right crochet hook, you can practice on a regular crochet hook. However, you should be aware that you may lose stitches as a regular crochet hook is not closed at the end.

As with knitting and crochet, the size of the needle you need depends on your project. In general, however, the smaller the needle you use, the firmer the texture of the result.

Basic concepts and tips for beginners

To master Tunisian crochet, it is necessary to understand the basic techniques and concepts. The difficulty level of Tunisian crochet is not among the most difficult of the different crochet techniques, however, it is important to have some basic understanding, so here are a few tips on how to get started. But first, a little about the different concepts:

• Starting chain: Begin by making a starting chain of loops on the hook.
• Back and forth row: The work consists of two phases, a forward and a backward row.
• Loop stitch: For each row, pull loops onto the hook before joining them together.

The next step is simply to find a pattern that uses Tunisian crochet or find a video for a slightly more visual presentation of the concept. When you start diving into the world of Tunisian crochet, we recommend starting with a simple project. Beyond that, it's also important to use the right yarn for your project. After all, Tunisian crochet allows you to create different textures and densities depending on the yarn, so make sure you choose the right yarn.

Don't be afraid to practice and take small steps with different types of yarn until you feel confident in your skills. It's mostly about patience and willingness to learn. These are always the best suggestions on how to start crocheting with Tunisian crochet.

Tunisian Crochet Hooks Set

Up to 11%