Teeny tiny tutorial : Tunisian crochet (aka afghan stitch)

re-post

This is a more detailed tutorial than usual but still seems "teeny tiny" because you can try out the technique with an ordinary crochet hook on a 'teeny tiny' strip.  I wish I had discovered  (okay - tried Tunisian crochet: I knew about it but it seemed 'hard' and called for a special long hook and seemed only to be used in strips for afghans)  much sooner in a lifetime of playing with fibre because it is lovely and versatile and easy and simple and fun and you work back and forth, don't have to turn the item.
Shown here is the carryall bag crocheted from rope which I have had to stop doing (both working with dusty fibres and even using items made of dusty fibres - darn;  I expect this will change once my respiratory system recuperates) and its replacement being made from acrylic yarn.  It is the handle that is being made using Tunisian crochet; this is the front of the handle....

...and this is the back.  See how different they are; the front looks woven and the back looks densely knit. 

And here is how you do it using a plain ol' crochet hook - Tunisian crochet hooks are longer and straight and usually have a knob on the end or sometimes a hook on both ends - but this simple crochet hook is working fine for the handle so get yours out and give it a try.

You can chain five stitches and turn the work or, as I am doing here (working directly from the bag to form the handle) - pick up five stitches along the hook on something you are already working on.  Another option is to finger cast on five stitches to the crochet hook as if it were a knitting needle and continue from there.
Now, yarn over hook and draw through the first stitch on the hook.  (I am using the yarn doubled here and mention it in case it seems necessary - it isn't). * Yarn over hook and draw through next two stitches.  Continue from * across row.

This is what it will look like when you have one stitch again on the hook.  The afghan stitch is made up of two rows.  We are now back at the beginning.  The stitch on the hook is the first stitch of the next row.

Remember we started with five stitches...see those five vertical stitches in the photo above....put the hook through the second one from the right, yarn over hook, and draw the yarn through to form the second stitch on the row; continue to put hook in next vertical stitch, yarn over and draw through etc.  across row.

This is what it will look like at end of that row.  Now do as before, yarn over, draw yarn through one stitch, *yarn over,  draw yarn through two stitches and continue from * across row until one stitch remains.   Keep going and give it a good try.

PS  An actual completed item seemed a good idea so last night I got out a Tunisian hook and some flax yarn, chained 7 stitches, and started on this,  deciding the amount of yarn would dictate what it became.

Well, it became a case that will hold a pair of glasses or a cell phone and I discovered that a) I can do Tunisian crochet while yawning and b) the camera seems to photograph not too too badly indoors when it is dark outdoors.

It took less than an hour to make this; it is a speedy technique.

What do you think?

Comments

[Crafty Gardener]

I think that is great and I will be giving it a try. I've shied away from Tunisian stitch before, but you make it seem very easy.

[karen]

Morning Crafty. I would much appreciate feedback on your trying it. It is worthy of being 'discovered'.

[laughing purple goldfish]

I am just discovering tunisian myself... fun!

love the idea of using it for the handle... I am always on the lookout for different handle options for my bags... thanks karen

[Crafty Gardener]

I did my tunisian crochet and it turned out great. I would never of tried it without your teeny tiny tutorial. I'll get some photos and post my finished project in a day or so. Thanks for all your help.

[karen]

Hello laughing Collective consciousness must be happening.....I love it when this happens.....it does make a nice handle, firm and yet flexible. And I think it would size down to three stitches. Hmmmm....have to try this.

[karen]

Hi Crafty I'm looking forward to your post on your project. Thanks for the feedback.

[Valerie]

Thank you so much for the photos! I was so confused by the directions regarding the " how to for the Tunisian stitch" on other sites. I am also using a regular crochet hook. Seeing it made the stich seem simple....thank you again!

[karen]

You are more than welcome, Valerie; I'm glad they were helpful. I was playing around with the stitch last night and came up with another version which I will post next week. I like the rhythm of tunisian crochet.

[Esther]

did you make that little etui AFTER our KoffiKafe' gathering last night?
wow....
bring your 'double ended' crochet hook and yarn on Friday and teach us how to do this stitch...thanks.
Off to Blankets4Canada at 1pm. Haven't seen 'the gang' since Dec. 4th of LAST year.

[Sandra]

i just wonder can you use more than 5 stitches? surely you can.. and the turning its optional.. more research is needed lol i havent crocheted in years due to hand surgery/damage i think i am recovered enuff to begin somethings ive loved and missed so look out walmart here i come to stock up! thanks for the inspiration

[karen]

Morning Sandra Yes, number of stitches is only limited by length of hook and they have Tunisian crochet hooks with flexible tails beyond the hook. You don't turn - you work the first row (two rows make up one row in Tunisian crochet ) by picking up stitches and then, without turning, work back along the row 'getting rid of' those stitches so you end up with one stitch again. You might find it easier than regular crochet because the motions are different - more a flow as in knitting than a pick and scoop as in crochet. Good luck and have fun!