Afghan Crochet
Tunisian Crochet
Hello crochet lovers,
You already know the basic crochet stitches. Now you want to do something more. May be you want to learn more stitches or crochet something new. Well, with crochet the options are endless. You can learn advance crochet stitches to which I’ve dedicated an entire issue of the newsletter.
Something advanced and yet simple is the Tunisian stitch variously known as the afghan stitch, tricot stitch, railroad knitting, Shepherd’s knitting or hook knitting. Tunisian stitch is easy to learn and helps create a sturdy fabric-like product, which makes it an excellent stitch for making afghans. Tunisian crochet lends definite right and wrong sides to the final creation, which is great for embroidery and cross-stitch.
Tunisian crochet is different from regular crochet in the sense that it never requires you to turn your work. In Tunisian crochet, you go forward on a row and then come back the same way without turning your work around. The only time a Tunisian crochet project is turned is when you do the first row after making the foundation chain at the beginning of the project.
Another factor making Tunisian crochet distinct from standard crochet is that each row is a two-step process. Unlike crochet projects using stitches other than Tunisian stitch, in afghan stitch you pick up stitches from the previous row and then come back pulling the yarn through all the stitches picked up on the hook. In this respect, Tunisian crochet is sort of a combination of knitting and crochet.
Tunisian crochet hook is typically larger than standard crochet hooks. Think of Tunisian crochet hook as a knitting needle with a hook on one end. This is particularly helpful if you are working of large projects such as afghans and adult size sweaters.
You might have seen a double-ended hook with crochet hook on both ends of the stick. This type of hook is used in crochetnit, a technique with which Tunisian crochet is often confused. Crochetnit is also known as cro-hook, cro-knit or crochet on the double
Something you need to be careful about when using Tunisian stitch is to frequently count the number of stitches. Carelessness can lead to dropped stitches just as in knitting. Fixing dropped stitches while crocheting is time consuming and frustrating. Do your best to avoid skipping stitches.
Once you are comfortable doing the afghan stitch, experiment with using two or more colors to make colored patterns.
Detailed instructions for Tunisian crochet are given at:
http://www.crochetme.com/Apr_May_2005/reads_tunisian.html
http://www.crochetcabana.com/specialty/tunisian.htm
http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=40
Learning videos are given at http://www.nexstitch.com/Tutorials.html.
Practice Tunisian stitch from patterns given at http://crochet.about.com/b/a/171859.htm.
Tunisian crochet patterns are available at:
http://www.kimanedesigns.net/products/tantalizingafghans.html
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/tunisian_crochet.php
Good luck with learning and doing Tunisian crochet!
About the Author
Amber Green, the author of this article has been a writer in a craft magazine for over 10 years. Now she keeps a blog and writes crochet related books and articles. Go to her blog to find out more free tips and techniques to liven up your crochet.
How to Crochet – Tunisian crochet stitch or Afghan stitch
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Ruffles & Blocks Annie’s Attic Crochet Afghan Pattern Instructions $16.99 |
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Yarn Crochet Afghan PATTERN Baby Quilt $2.50 |
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Cinnamon Stripe & Hexagon Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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All Seasons Fall Breeze Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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Sweetheart Pin & Ripple Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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Soft Color Stripes Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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Children’s Lion Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $2.99 |
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Shamrock Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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Black & White Holstein Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $2.99 |
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Triangle & Blue Lagoon Afghan + Blossom Potholder Crochet Patterns $2.99 |
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Comfy Lace Lap Afghan Knitting Pattern & Butterfly Crochet Pillow $2.99 |
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Diamond Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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Intertwining Hearts Center Piece & Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $2.99 |
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Charming Spools Quilt Afghan Crochet Pattern $1.99 |
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Danish Blue – Tudor Stripes – Bushy Stitch Afghan Crochet Patterns + More $2.99 |
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My Stars Special Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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Salmon Ladies Tunic Vest Bag Afghan & More Crochet Patterns $3.99 |
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Fluffy Spring Ladies Blouse Crochet/Knit Pattern Instructions $2.99 |
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Blue on Blue Doily & Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $2.99 |
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Many Colors & Celebration Afghan Crochet Pattern Instructions $1.99 |
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CROCHET – MAGNIFICENT MOSAICS AFGHANS! $2.99 |
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7 Sizes 13.5″ (35cm) Afghan Crochet Hooks US 3-10 $9.99 |
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HAND KNITTED CROCHETED WHITE BABY BLANKET / AFGHAN with PILLLOW / CUSHION COVER $26.87 |
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***Leisure Arts***(Crochet) – LOVE ME TENDER -Baby Afghans****2002*** $3.90 |
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Handmade Crocheted Blanket Afghan Throw – Blues / Black / Gray $19.99 |
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Crochet Patterns- FOOTPRINT WATER SKIER $4.95 |
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Crochet Patterns- BAREFOOT WATER SKIER $4.95 |
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Snuggle Up Baby Afghans Crochet Pattern Book $13.59 |
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Crochet Patterns- PEACE SYMBOL/SIGN Color Graph Chart $4.95 |
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Vtg Antique Throw Afghan Quilt Blanket Nursery Crib Child ren Old Crochet Cover $11.77 |
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Crochet Patterns- PEACE SYMBOL/SIGN – RAINBOW $4.95 |
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Crochet Patterns- PEACE SYMBOL/SIGN – U.S.A Color Graph $4.95 |
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11pcs 10.6″ multicolour Aluminum TUNISIAN / AFGHAN Crochet Hooks Needles 2- 8mm $0.99 |
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A Year of Teardrop Afghans Crochet Pattern Book $14.15 |
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Crochet Pattern ~ ROSY GLOW AFGHAN ~ $2.49 |
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Quick & Easy Crochet with easy-to-follow instructions — Sweaters & Afghans, Toys & Baby Gifts, Pillows & Placemats, More Than 30 Designs for You to Make! Quick & Easy Crochet with easy-to-follow instructions — Sweaters & Afghans, Toys & Baby Gifts, Pillows & Placemats, More Than 30 Designs for You to Make!… |
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How to Crochet Afghans Annie’s Loop-N-Lace Mile-A-Minute Way … |
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Knit and Crochet Today!: Series 200-B $12.91 All 13 episodes of this series–including “Entrelac Knitting & Crochet,” “One of a Kind Baby Gifts,” “Knit & Crochet Afghans,” “Teens Get Stitching,” and “Projects Using Faux Leather”–are presented in a three-disc set. 5 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; bonus CD-ROM. **13 episodes on 3 discs. 5 3/4 hrs.**… |
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Crochet Me Workshop: Chain Reaction Afghan Project Crochet-Along with Kristin Omdahl and Marcy Smith $19.95 Description Create your own Chain Reaction Afghan Project! Editor of Interweave Crochet Marcy Smith joins up with crochet expert Kristin Omdahl on the set of the Public Television show Knitting Daily TV to create the Chain Reaction Afghan Project, a community afghan project that features 20 afghan squares from a variety of well-known and up-and-coming designers. |
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Alex Granny Squares Crochet Kit in Carry Case $17.50 Granny Squares Crochet Kit. Do you have a little one who needs a constructive project for those rainy or too cold days? Let Alex Toys help you teach them how to make Granny Squares. With all the neat things they can make with them they may just have hours upon hours of creative fun. Scarves, hats, bags, even an afghan. Kit includes 300 yards of yarn in 6 bright colors. This package contains a croc… |
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Dollhouse Miniature Granny Square Red Afghan in Hand Crochet $24.99 Dollhouse Miniature Granny Square Red Afghan in Hand made Crochet Designed for a 1:12 scale miniature setting double bed. An unusual item with remarkable workmanship!!! Measures: 6 7/8 in long x 5 7/8 in wide … |
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Shaped Afghans Book Patterns in interesting shapes and beautiful colors to make six crochet afghans…. |
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The Granny Square Book: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square $15.03 Granny squares are to crochet what pieced squares are to quilting. They originated with pioneer women using up precious scraps of yarn to make blankets for their families, and over the years, many recognized, named patterns have been handed down from one generation to the next. Beyond this treasury of 75 different granny square motifs, Margaret Hubert shows the evolution of the granny square, how … |
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Around the Corner Crochet Borders: 150 Colorful, Creative Edging Designs with Charts and Instructions for Turning the Corner Perfectly Every Time $10.44 WORKMAN PUBLISHING-Storey Publishing: Around The Corner Crochet Borders. When it comes time to put the finishing touches on the edges of a fiber project a crochet border is the perfect solution. Edgings are essential adornments to the most popular knit and crochet pieces. But borders can do so much more; they give handmade goods a delightful finishing touch; serve as focal points; tidy uneven edge… |
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Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes $11.39 Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee…. |
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Go Crochet Afghan Design Workshop By Gormley, Ellen $28.26 Gormley provides patterns for fifty interchangeable motifs, designed for a range of skill levels, that can be easily crocheted while on the go Author: Gormley, Ellen Subtitle: 50 Motifs, 10 Projects, 1 of a Kind Results Publication Date: 2011/05/24 Number of Pages: 128 Binding Type: Hardcover Language: English Depth: 1.00 Width: 8.75 Height: 10.25 |
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Afghan Lovers Collection $28.24 Presents thirtysix afghans created by popular crochet designers, along with instructions, photographs, and patterns. Author: Leisure Arts, Inc. (COR) Publication Date: 2011/06/01 Number of Pages: 127 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 8.25 Height: 10.50 |
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Go Crochet! Afghan Design Workshop: 50 Motifs, 10 Projects, 1 of a Kind Results $18.27 No Synopsis Available |
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Afghan Cuisine (2nd Edition) $32.44 This totally revised latest edition of Afghan Cuisine is a wonderful introductionto cooking Afghan food. The recipes are presented in a very easytofollow format where even the most inexperienced cook can make healthy and delicious Afghan food. With Afghan Cuisine anyone can make the authentic and delicious dishestheyve tasted and experienced in Afghan restaurants. Author: Sekandari, Nafisa Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 248 Publication Date: 2010/04/29 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.56 inches |
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Afghan Breakdown $70.1 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Afghan Breakdown is a 1990 war drama film about the Soviet war in Afghanistan directed by Vladimir Bortko and coproduced by Italy and the Soviet Union (Lenfilm). Michele Placido, an Italian TV star popular in the USSR, plays the main protagonist, Major Bandura, a commander of a unit of Soviet paratroopers, costarring with several popular Soviet actors. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 84 Publication Date: 2010/12/24 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.20 inches |
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Afghan Star $79.66 Afghan Star ist eine Castingshow in Afghanistan, ahnlich Deutschland sucht den Superstar, in der es darum geht, den talentiertesten afghanischen Nachwuchssanger zu finden. Die Sendung wird von dem afghanischen Fernsehsender Tolo TV ausgestrahlt. Von der Show wurden seit September 2005 funf Staffeln produziert. Die sechste Staffel tragt den Titel Superstar Season und soll im Herbst 2010 beginnen. Unter der Herrschaft der islamistischen Taliban war jegliche Musik als unislamisch verboten. Videorekorder, Fernseher, CDs, Plattenspieler, Schallplatten, Kassetten und andere Tontrager waren verboten und beschlagnahmt worden. Lediglich gesungene Koranverse waren erlaubt. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Tennoe, Mariam T./ Henssonow, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 112 Publication Date: 2010/09/05 Language: German Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.27 inches |
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Peace Frogs Live Simply Hammock Afghan – White $59.95 The Live Simply Afghan from Peace Frogs is made from 100% cotton. Grab an extra afghan for your car and you’ll never be chilled at a game again! |
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Peace Frogs Button Frog Afghan – White $59.95 The Button Frog Afghan from Peace Frogs is made from 100% cotton. Grab an extra afghan for your car and you’ll never be chilled at a game again! |