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The Tunisian Knit Stitch features characteristic v-s rows that look like knitting. Also, the reverse side of the stitch is quite unique and forms highly differentiated horizontal ridges running across the fabric. As opposed to knitting, Tunisian knit fabric is denser, so it has less stretch. Although its dense (denser than Tunisian simple stitch), it roll up nicely due to ridges on the back, and it feel more elastic.
You can use Tunisian Knit Stitch to make winter scarves, sweaters and blankets. Its elasticity combined with its dense texture makes it exceptionably good for winter socks, neck warmers, etc.
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn – you can use any yarn to make a Tunisian Stitch, although I find a medium-weight yarn will be the best for practice. I used the Classic 100% Cotton Loops and Threads yarn.
- Tunisian Crochet Hook – use a bigger hook that is suggested for your yarn. Size 1 or 2 sizes up. For my yarn the recommended regular crochet hook size is H-8 (5 mm), and I’m using a 6 mm Tunisian hook in first 2 stitches and 7 mm hook for Tunisian Full Stitch.
- Scissors: For cutting the yarn at the end
- Tapestry (Yarn) Needle: For weaving in the ends
Abbreviations
- Ch Chain
- TSS Tunisian Simple Stitch
- TSS Tunisian Knit Stitch
- TFS Tunisian Full Stitch
- St(s) Stitch(es)
- YO Yarn Over
Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS) Step by Step Tutorial
Step 1: Start with a Foundation
Make a slip knot and crochet a number of chains (e.g. Ch10).
Foundation Row: Moving forward
Insert your hook into the 2nd chain from the hook. Yarn over, and pull up a loop. * Insert your hook into the next chain, yo and pull up a loop. Repeat from * to the end of a row.
You should have the same number of loops on your hook as the number of chains you’ve started with (10).
In the Tunisian Crochet Stitches we often make a foundation row by working on the backside of chains. It will give us a nicer edge. However as we are making only a swatch I will start with a ‘regular front’ side of foundation chains – it is much quicker and easier to explain. If you’re curious how to start on the backside of chains, see the foundation row explanation in the Tunisian Full Stitch (TFS) Tutorial.
Foundation Row: Moving backwards
Yo and pull through the last loop on the hook. Next, * yo and pull through 2 loops on the hook. Repeat from * to the end of the row losing all loops from the hook except the last one.
These steps (return pass) will be the same for all rows when we move backwards.
Step 2: First row of TKS: Forward pass
Insert your hook in between the loops of the 2nd vertical bar aiming in the middle. (The first vertical bar is connected with a loop on your hook is out first stitch so we can skip it). Yarn over, and pull up a loop. Continue from * across the row till the last stitch.
Be carefull to instert the hook between front vertical bar and back vertical bar of the same stitch and not in-between the stitches.
For the last stitch, pinch the end and look on its edge. You should see the front and back bars of the last stitch. Insert your hook under 2 front and back bars and yo.
Step 3: First row of TKS: Return pass
Yo and pull through the last loop on the hook. Next, * yo and pull through 2 loops on the hook. Repeat from * to the end of a row when only one loop will be left on the hook.
Step 4: Next rows of TKS
Repeat Step 2 and Step 3 to create the desired number of rows.
Step 5: Bind off – The last row of TKS
Use the same method to bind off a Tunisian knit stitch project as for Tunisian Simple Stitch.
To finish the last row, *insert your hook under the front loop of a vertical bar, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook). Then pull up the loop just made through the second loop on the hook leaving only 1 loop on the hook. Repeat from * to the end of the row. Finish off.
