There is a huge array of yarns to choose from in today’s market and all are suitable for Tunisian crochet.
Amazing results can be produced from the finest of lace weight yarns to the chunkiest of wool roving yarns, or even from unexpected yarn types such as fabric, wire or kitchen string.
Have fun experimenting and let your imagination run wild!
When choosing a yarn for your project, you will need to know the yarn weight in order to choose the correct hook size.
‘Yarn weight’ refers to the thickness of the thread, not the weight of the ball or the actual thread itself.
If you are unsure of your yarn weight, the best way to determine this is to test the ‘wraps per inch’ (WPI).
To test for WPI, wrap yarn evenly around a ruler (it doesn’t matter how wide it is) for 2.5cm (1in). Count how many times the yarn is wrapped within this measure then refer to the table below for the approximate yarn weight.
It is important to note that these figures are an approximation only, as yarn weights can vary between brands as well as with each individual’s winding tension. So, your results should be used as a starting guide when choosing your yarn before also checking with a gauge swatch to match the pattern’s requirements.
Because of the dense fabric Tunisian crochet creates, and also because of the nature of the stitch structure, it is normally recommended that you go up 1-2 sizes in hook size than recommended for a particular yarn weight.
Choosing the correct hook size will also help eliminate some of the curl inherent with Tunisian crochet.
When choosing the right hook for your yarn, if you are working from a pattern always start with the stated hook size as the designer will have chosen the size according to the desired end result eg. the amount of drape needed. Bear in mind that you may still need to adjust your hook size to match the recommended gauge.
If you are not sure which hook size to use then use the table below as a guide. Start with the larger of the suggested sizes first, but if you find that your stitches are too loose then try again with the smaller size.
IF YOU NEED TO PURCHASE A TUNISIAN HOOK FOR A PROJECT, YOU CAN TEST FOR THE CORRECT HOOK SIZE WITH A FEW STITCHES ON A REGULAR CROCHET HOOK BEFORE COMMITTING TO BUYING THE TUNISIAN HOOK.
