What Is Tunisian Crochet?
Tunisian crochet (also called Afghan stitch) works in two passes per row:
Forward pass: Work across the row picking up loops on the hook, one per stitch. Don't pull through. When you reach the end, your hook holds 40, 60, or 100+ loops, just like a knitting needle.
Return pass: Work back across the row by chaining through the loops. Yarn over, pull through 1 loop (the chain), then yarn over, pull through 2 loops, over and over until 1 loop remains. That's one row complete.
This two-pass structure creates a fabric that's double-thick compared to regular crochet, doesn't curl as badly as stockinette knitting, and has a grid-like structure ideal for colorwork, texture patterns, and blankets.
What Hook Do You Need?
Tunisian crochet requires a special hook: longer than a regular crochet hook with a stopper on the end to prevent loops from falling off. Three types exist:
Tunisian crochet hooks (straight): 10-14 inches long with a stopper end. Good for scarves and narrow projects (up to about 14 inches wide).
Tunisian hooks with cable extensions: A short hook tip connected to a flexible cable (like circular knitting needles). Handles any width. Best for blankets and wide projects. Buy these first.
Double-ended Tunisian hooks: Pointed on both ends, used for working in the round. Advanced technique.
Hook sizing: Tunisian crochet produces denser fabric than regular crochet. Use a hook 1-2 sizes larger than you'd normally use for the same yarn weight. If worsted weight calls for an I/9 (5.5mm) in regular crochet, try a J/10 (6.0mm) or K/10.5 (6.5mm) for Tunisian.
The Needle & Hook Size Converter translates between US, metric, and UK hook sizes if your pattern uses a different system.
How Do You Work the Three Basic Stitches?
Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)
The foundation stitch. Creates a fabric with small vertical bars on the front.
Forward pass: Insert hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the next stitch. Yarn over, pull up a loop. Leave it on the hook. Repeat across.
Return pass: Yarn over, pull through 1 loop. Then yarn over, pull through 2 loops, repeat until 1 loop remains.
Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS)
Looks almost identical to stockinette knitting. The most popular Tunisian stitch for blankets and garments.
Forward pass: Insert hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bars (going through the stitch, not under the bar). Yarn over, pull up a loop. Repeat across.
Return pass: Same as TSS.
Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS)
Creates a bumpy, textured surface like garter stitch or purl knitting.
Forward pass: Bring yarn to the front. Insert hook under the front vertical bar from right to left. Yarn over from behind, pull up a loop. Repeat across.
Return pass: Same as TSS.
You can combine TKS and TPS in the same row to create ribbing, seed stitch, and other texture patterns, just like knitting.
How Does the FiberTools Gauge Calculator Help?
Tunisian crochet gauge is different from regular crochet gauge. The fabric is denser and doesn't stretch as much. You need to swatch specifically in Tunisian stitch to get accurate numbers.
The Gauge Calculator takes your swatch measurements and calculates:
- Stitches per inch (often 3-4 in worsted weight Tunisian vs. 3.5-4.5 in regular crochet) - Rows per inch (typically 3-3.5, shorter than regular crochet rows) - How your gauge affects finished dimensions
Enter your Tunisian swatch measurements and the pattern's target gauge. The Gauge Calculator shows whether you need to adjust hook size, and how much your dimensions would differ at your current gauge vs. the pattern's gauge.
What Projects Work Best for Tunisian Crochet?
Blankets and afghans. The dense, woven-look fabric is ideal for warm blankets. Tunisian blankets hold their shape without blocking and lay flat naturally. A worsted weight Tunisian blanket at 50x60 inches uses about 2,800-3,200 yards (slightly more than regular crochet).
Scarves and cowls. The thick fabric creates a warm, structured scarf that doesn't stretch out. Use Tunisian knit stitch for a knit-look scarf without needing to know how to knit.
Washcloths and dishcloths. Cotton in Tunisian simple stitch produces a dense, absorbent cloth with great scrubbing texture. A 9x9 inch cloth takes about 80-100 yards of worsted cotton.
Entrelac. Tunisian crochet is the traditional technique for entrelac (woven-look squares that tilt at 45 degrees). Each square is worked separately in Tunisian stitch, picking up stitches from the edge of the previous square.
What Are Common Tips and Mistakes?
Go up 1-2 hook sizes. Tunisian fabric is naturally tight. If your fabric is stiff and won't drape, your hook is too small. Size up until the fabric feels like you'd want to wrap it around your shoulders.
Keep loose loops on the forward pass. If you pull each loop tight as you pick it up, the fabric scrunches and curls. Keep loops the same height as your chain, roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall on the hook.
Count after every row. The most common mistake is accidentally skipping the last stitch on the forward pass. The last vertical bar sits right next to the edge and is easy to miss. Count your loops before starting the return pass. They should match your stitch count.
Block Tunisian crochet flat. Tunisian fabric curls to the right and toward the back. Wet blocking flattens it. Pin it to a mat, mist with water or soak, and let it dry flat. After blocking, the curl disappears and the stitch pattern shows clearly.
Common mistakes: - Using a regular crochet hook (too short, loops fall off) - Not going up in hook size (fabric is cardboard-stiff) - Pulling the return pass too tight (causes the fabric to narrow) - Skipping the last stitch on the forward pass (piece narrows by 1 stitch per row) - Not blocking (the curl hides the beautiful stitch texture)
What Do Real Tunisian Projects Look Like?
The first scarf. A crocheter tried Tunisian simple stitch with worsted weight acrylic on a 14-inch straight Tunisian hook. She chained 30 stitches (about 8 inches wide at her gauge) and worked 60 inches long. Total yarn: 320 yards. The fabric was dense and warm. After blocking, the rightward curl flattened completely. Project time: 12 hours.
The Tunisian knit blanket. A maker used Tunisian knit stitch on a cable-extension hook to make a 50x60 inch throw in DK weight cotton blend. Gauge: 4 stitches and 3.5 rows per inch. She cast on 200 stitches and worked 210 rows. Total yarn: 3,100 yards. The fabric looked like stockinette knitting but was thicker and heavier. Project time: 75 hours over 8 weeks.
The entrelac pillow. A crocheter made a 16x16 inch pillow front in entrelac using 3 colors of worsted weight. Each square was 8 stitches wide and 8 rows tall, worked in Tunisian simple stitch. The woven-look texture impressed everyone who saw it. Total yarn: 280 yards across 3 colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special hook for Tunisian crochet?
Yes. A regular crochet hook is too short to hold all the loops from the forward pass. You need a Tunisian hook (10-14 inches long with a stopper) or a hook with a cable extension. Cable-extension hooks are the most versatile because they handle any project width. They cost $8-$15 each or $25-$40 for a set.
Is Tunisian crochet harder than regular crochet?
No, it's just different. If you can chain, insert your hook, and pull up loops, you can do Tunisian. The forward pass is essentially picking up loops, and the return pass is pulling through 2 loops repeatedly. The rhythm takes 10-15 minutes to learn. The unusual part is holding many loops on the hook, which feels like knitting.
Does Tunisian crochet use more yarn than regular crochet?
Yes, about 10-20% more. The double-thick fabric structure consumes extra yarn per square inch. A regular crochet blanket using 2,400 yards of worsted weight might need 2,700-2,900 yards in Tunisian. Factor this into your yarn purchase and add 15% on top for safety.
Why does my Tunisian crochet curl?
Tunisian fabric naturally curls to the right and toward the back because the forward and return passes create different tensions on each side. Blocking fixes it completely. Wet block by soaking, pinning flat, and drying. For stubborn curl, use a slightly larger hook or alternate Tunisian knit and purl rows to balance the tension.
Try Tunisian Crochet This Weekend
Tunisian crochet combines the best of knitting and crochet into a technique all its own. A single skein and a Tunisian hook are all you need to start. Make a washcloth. If you like the fabric, scale up to a scarf or blanket.
Use the Gauge Calculator to check your Tunisian swatch and plan your project dimensions. The gauge is different from regular crochet, so swatch before you commit.