I know what you’re thinking.
Why is Nikki putting up this little swatch she whipped up?
What’s so special about it?
I want you to take a good look at it.
Look really closely.
Some of those stitches may look like knit stitches, and some you maybe can’t quite put your finger on, and oh, wait a minute, she’s got a crochet hook pictured…a crochet hook?
Yes, that’s right. This swatch is completely crocheted. I know…it’s too good to be true.
Here’s how this all came about.
W
hile indulging a few weeks ago in my weakness (craft magazines) at my local book store, this cover caught my eye. You know I love the look of Entrelac, so I gave it a second glance. Then, when I realized I was looking at a Interweave’s Crochet magazine, I gave it a third and fourth glance. I picked it up, started reading through, and was instantly curious about all their referrals to “Tunisian Crochet.” I hadn’t ever heard of it, but loved the look of it. It’s a cross between knitting and crochet. It gives you the intricate stitch options of knitting, and the ease of only using one needle, like crochet. I went home, did a little online research, and to blatantly use a really bad pun…I was hooked!
So, I’ve got some project ideas in the works. They will hopefully be up within the next few weeks. Until then, I’m assigning some homework. First, get yourself a Tunisian crochet hook. It’s longer than a traditional hook and has a stopper at the end, like a knitting needle. They are a little hard to find. Your local chain craft store will have a limited supply, in probably only one or two sizes. That was enough to get me started. (If you’re having trouble finding them, this form of crochet is sometimes referred to as “Afghan Crochet.” That may help someone find what you are looking for.) Second, check out these great video tutorials by Brianna at The Crochet Side. They are super easy to follow and will help you learn the basics.
Let me know how it goes. Feel free to ask me any questions. I am learning this along with you, so if I don’t have the answers, I will help you find someone who does.
Enjoy!
Nikki, In Stitches
Possibly Related Posts from Nikki, In Stitches:
Tunisian Crochet – Cabled Scarf
Crocheted “Quilt”…Sorry for the Delay
I’ve not got round to trying it yet, but I’ve got a Knitpro (knit picks) crochet hook which attaches to the interchangeable cables for the circular knitting needles for doing tunisian. I wasn’t sure whether you would have heard that they did them.
For those of you having trouble finding crochet hooks suitable for Tunisian Crochet, Jennie sent us the following links:
Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hooks
Get Knitted KnitPro Crochet Hooks
Thanks, Jennie!!
Nikki
G’day Nikki
I was thrilled to see Tunisian crochet on the come-back trail… I found it in a mag when I was about your age… now that is a ‘few’ years ago now but here Down Under it was called Tricot… I perserved & taught myself… we had no needle back then so the size of what I made was dictated by the length of my crochet hook so I made little coin purses with the basic stitch… love all these other stitches that I see now… I’d hand sew a little zipper in the top & cross-stitch the recipient’s initials into the bottom corner… Years later I found the special hook/needle & made a few things but I couldn’t work out, at that time how to increase or decrease… so all very primitive back then… ha ha
I remember when I first started with a ‘real’ hook/needle my work was going at a distinct angle so took me a while to work out how to keep the edges straight… even my Mum, who was a champion crocheter, hadn’t seen it before either so between us we worked out what I was doing wrong…
Great to see it on the comeback trail… & thanks for the sites. I just took delivery of a new book -with DvD – ‘learn to do tunisian lace stitches’ by Kim Guzman as yet I haven’t had time to have a look-see so I’m off to do just that…
OOroo… Bethel
Bethel,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I’m so happy to hear other people are as excited about Tunisian Crochet as I am! As I said in my post, I have a few projects planned. I have a cabled scarf that will hopefully go up soon. Then I’m working on an Entrelac style baby blanket. I’m hoping to put up video tutorials with them, so they are taking me a little longer than usual. I hope you’ll let me know what you think of them!
Thanks again for stopping by!
Nikki
Wow! I am terrible at knitting but I love the look – this might be just the thing for me! Thank you for posting this!
Hi! I’ve been reading (but not commenting) for a while now. 🙂
Love that you’re going to explore the afghan stitching! When I decided to teach myself how to crochet a couple of years ago somehow this was the method I learned. Still can’t really do regular crochet or knitting, but the afghan stitch is just so easy and rhythmic for me.
That said, you’d think I could tell you all the great things to do with it…not so much. All I’ve ever made is washcloths, hotpads, scarves and the occasional barbie sheath dress for my daughters.
The stitch tends to curl quite a bit for me, but I’ve never learned to properly block so maybe that would help.
Can’t wait to see what projects you do!
Love Tunisian crochet. Looks like knitting, thicker, and goes super fast. I found references to it in my favorite crafting book last year and gave it a try. So fun. And that book for all of you- look it up!!! Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. I know, sounds silly, but really it is the best fiber book I’ve ever seen. The 1970’s edition is the one I own.
I just love entrelac crochet, and have no problems with the stitches. I am however left handed. I have almost all the pamphlets i.e. Chez, Christmas, but putting the inside corner together it hasn’t clicked for me yet.
I have been at it for a few months, but I have Fibromyalgia along with sleep problems we get Fibro fog. I might be reading it wrong and not understanding, or perhaps because I’m left handed.
If there might be some way for you to direct me in my endeavors I would so appreciate it. Thanks for your time.
Carol Roberts
Thank you for your effort in creating and maintaining this site. I just found tunisian crochet and I am totally in love. i still love knitting and love the idea of inter changeable needles. I want to get the sets suggested by Jennie. the knit pro cables have the lenght i knitting but the Denise set has the assortment. can you tell me if the two are compatible. Thanks a bunch in advance.
I am so glad that you excited about Tunisian Crochet.
Please check out the crochet books by my friend Sharon Hernes Silverman. She is an inspirational woman with lots of talent.
Years ago I found a funny looking hooked knitting needle. Just because gadgets are fun, I bought it.
All of a sudden — there it is! Tunisian crochet.
I’m glad to have found your site, too, Nikki. Knowing how to do a ripple afghan in crochet has me wanting to learn more about Tunisian.
I have that ruana magazine, too!!! Couldn’t not get it. LOL
I’m in the midst of knitting an entrelac cardigan and am enjoying the technique — can’t wait to learn the crochet version.
Thanks for helping me to learn!
I just learned this stitch! Easy enough but little did I know I should make smaller squares and sew them together. Ive been working on on BIG square twice as long as my really long hook! LOL. Im starting over!
Oh no, Lisa! I hope the new squares work up quickly! Send us pictures!
where can i find what the stitches mean. i.e. TKS, M1, BO. i am only finding how you do the knit and purl stitches and dont know what these others mean. thanx
Susan,
You can find what all the abbreviations mean in this post:
http://www.nikkiinstitches.com/tunisian-crochet-entrelac-style-baby-blanket/
If you need help doing one of these specific stitches, just let me know!
Please let me know if there is a knited boarder I can do instead of the one shown.
Just discovered Tunisian crochet!Needles on the way, thanks to Amazon Prime!
Yay, Franny!
How’s it going???
Carol Roberts, check out Kim Guzman. She does both left and right handed, and has lots of videos and tutorials on Tunisian crochet.
I got hooked on Tunisian crochet about a year ago. I’ve made a Queen size afghan and several baby blankets. I bought a set of Tunisian hooks and started looking for more patterns; but, I’m having a hard time finding them. I just found your site and I’m hoping this will lead me to many more choices and ideas. I absolutely love the knitted/crochet look!
Oh my goodness! Carol! How long did it take you to make the Queen size afghan?!?!
I’ve had so many people recently ask for more Tunisian crochet patterns. I haven’t played with it in such a long time, but this may have inspired to break my hooks back out. Stay tuned!
I work full time and commute, so I would try to complete two rows a night. (However, I missed many nights.) I started it in February and finished in July. I also made two baby blankets in between. I would send you a photo if I knew how to attach it.
Carol, you can email them to me! Nikki@NikkiInStitches.com
When I do my swatch in tunisian crochet (I’m a beginner), it gets more narrow with each row. If I start with it 6″ wide, it is only 5 1/2″ after about 5 rows. Why is it continuing to get more narrow?
Mary,
Are you skipping the first chain and inserting your hook in the second when you start each row???