BASIC STITCHES

TUNISIAN SIMPLE STITCH (TSS)

Also known as ‘Afghan stitch’ or ‘Basic stitch’
Has a tendency to curl

Forward: Skip 1st vertical bar, insert hook from right to left under 2nd vertical bar, yo and pull up loop, keeping loop on hook. Continue picking up loops this way until you reach the last st. Insert hook under the last vertical bar and the bar that lies directly behind it (2 bars on hook), yo and pull up loop - end st made (see Note).

Return: Yo, pull through 1 loop, *yo pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * to end (1 loop left on hook).

NOTE

THE LAST STITCH ON A FORWARD PASS IS ALWAYS WORKED THE SAME WAY REGARDLESS OF THE STITCH BEING USED AND WILL BE REFERRED TO FROM HERE AS ‘WORK END ST’.

TUNISIAN PURL STITCH (TPS)

Looks similar to knitted purl stitch
Has less tendency to curl

Forward: Skip 1st vertical bar, *bring yarn forward to front of work, insert hook from right to left under next vertical bar, bring yarn across the front of vertical bar and to back of work, yo and pull up a loop. Repeat from * to last st, work end st.

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

TUNISIAN KNIT STITCH (TKS)

Looks similar to knitted stocking stitch
Creates a thick fabric
Has a tendency to curl

Forward: Skip 1st vertical bar, *insert hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bars of the next stitch, yo and pull up loop. Repeat from * into each st up to last st, work end st.

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

TUNISIAN REVERSE STITCH (TRS)

Worked just like a Tunisian Simple Stitch but instead, it is worked through the back vertical bar situated behind your work
Stitch forms horizontal bumps similar to Tunisian Purl stitch and can be used as a replacement for this stitch
Has less tendency to curl

Forward: Working from the back of your work, skip 1st vertical bar, *insert hook under the vertical bar of the next stitch at the back of your work, yo, pull up loop. Repeat from * to last st, work end st.

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

TUNISIAN FULL STITCH (TFS)

Worked on its own, this stitch is called a Tunisian Full stitch and can be used to increase stitches (Make 1) or for working into a space between stitches or a ‘yarn over’ space such as an eyelet
When rows of Tunisian Full stitch are made it then becomes known as either Mesh Stitch or Gobelin Stitch which is a 2 row pattern repeat with staggered starting and end points to prevent work from biasing
The following instructions are for working in rows (Mesh Stitch)

Row 1 – Forward: Insert hook into sp between 2nd and 3rd vertical bars and into each sp between sts to last st, work end st.

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Row 2 – Forward: Insert hook into sp between 1st and 2nd vertical bars and into each sp between sts up to last sp, sk this sp, work end st.

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to form pattern.

TUNISIAN EXTENDED STITCH (TES)

Instructions are given for a Tunisian Extended Simple Stitch, however you can extend almost any stitch by adding a ‘ch 1’ at the end of each stitch
When you come across this stitch in a pattern, be sure to take note of where to insert your hook as this may vary from pattern to pattern
The extra height of extended stitches helps to eliminate curl and is a good alternative stitch to use for your foundation row
This stitch has a slightly raised texture and more stretch than regular stitches, making it ideal for garments or projects where a drapey effect is required
To accommodate the extra stitch height, a chain stitch is added at the start and end of each row

Forward: Ch 1, *insert hook under next vertical bar, yo pull up loop, ch 1. Repeat from * to last st, work end st, ch 1 (this is additional to the first ch 1 of the return).

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

To make an Extended Stitch Foundation row: Ch desired number plus 1, insert into the back bump of 3rd ch from hook, *yo and pull up a loop, ch 1 (this counts as first st + ch 1). Repeat from * in each ch to end leaving all loops on hook. Return.

TUNISIAN DOUBLE CROCHET (TDC)

This stitch is also known as Tunisian Double Stitch (Tds)
It is worked almost the same as a regular Double Crochet stitch
To accommodate the extra stitch height, a chain stitch is added at the start of each row

Forward: Ch 1, *yo, insert hook under next vertical bar, yo pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * to last st, work end st.

Return: As for Tunisian Simple Stitch.

BIND OFF

Although this step is not necessary to hold your stitches in place after finishing your piece, binding off will give your work a neat finished edge.

To bind off you will be working a slip stitch, dropping stitches off as you go.

After you have completed the return pass on the last row, insert hook in next stitch as per the stitch type you were last working i.e. if you were working in Tss then you would insert hook Tss-wise, yo and pull loop through both loops on hook.

Repeat for each stitch until one loop remains. Cut yarn and draw through loop to tie off.