You’ve heard someone talking about it; you’ve seen it
mentioned in crafts’ magazines; maybe you’ve even read some articles on the
matter. But what exactly is TUNISIAN CROCHET and what is all the hype behind
this “long-forgotten” technique with an exotic name everyone seems to be
talking about right now?
WHAT IS TUNISIAN CROCHET AND WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
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| Some of my projects in Tunisian Crochet |
As a (relatively) young crocheter I am often surprised
to learn that only few people know what Tunisian crochet is. Many who know how
to knit or crochet are “scared away” by this technique, probably because it is
not as well known as knitting and crochet, and it is perceived as something
“exotic” or obsolete. But what is Tunisian crochet, exactly? Its historical origins
are unclear but, in spite of its name, it has probably nothing to do with
Tunisia and it cannot be geographically located. Indeed, since its first
appearance in England in the middle of the XIX century on specialized women’s
magazines, it has been described with many different names (“Princess Frederick
William Stitch”, “Crochet à tricoter”, “Tricot écossais”, “Railway knitting”,
“Fool’s and Idiot’s stitch”, “German/Russian work” and others ), and only
recently (in the 1960s and ‘70s) finally referred to as “Tunisian” or “Afghan
crochet” (probably due to the fact that the technique is commonly used to
produce blankets, or afghans).
Usually described as a hybrid between crochet and
knitting, it is actually a technique of its own, producing a peculiar texture,
very dense and sturdy, which cannot be obtained with the above-mentioned, more
famous techniques. It is worked using just one hook, like in crochet, but rows
are created in forward and return passes, where stitches are cast on and off
the hook, just like in knitting. Some patterns and stitches are similar to
knitting (the Tunisian Knit Stitch looks almost identical to the Knit Stitch on
needles) and crochet (the Tunisian Popcorn Stitch is similar to the crochet
Popcorn stitch, so are the Tunisian Double Crochet Stitch and the Tunisian Half
Double Crochet Stitch, clearly) and it uses similar terminology and techniques
(making chains, binding off, etc.), but the similarities seem to end there.
Another preconception often related to Tunisian
crochet is that it is limited and not as flexible as crochet, and that projects
made with this technique look rougher and less refined. Nothing farther from
the truth! These days Tunisian crochet is gaining a new, well-deserved
popularity among crafters. After years of oblivion, the interest and hype after
this craft are steadily growing, and many young and creative designers are
contributing to its success with modern and original patterns.
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN TUNISIAN CROCHET…FOR FREE?
I started working in Tunisian crochet almost from the
beginning, right after learning regular crochet. I immediately found it very
exciting, because it seemed so incredibly easy to learn – especially if you
already know how to crochet and/or knit - , and the projects came out
beautifully! I created a couple of designs myself that proved quite successful,
like my spiral placemat and cushion cover, or wingspan dragon shawl, and many others in all categories.
Noticing all the interest and curiosity that Tunisian
crochet always generates whenever I post projects done in this technique, I
thought – guess what? – to spread my knowledge by making a FREE online course
on Tunisian crochet, through posts on basics and stitches on my blog, offering
FREE patterns for practicing purposes, and showing the technique on my YouTubeChannel. Sounds interesting? If so, all you have to do is follow me on my blog
and social media, and if you want to be sure not to miss any lessons, just
subscribe for free to my newsletter (see subscribe form below), informing you on each new lesson. Are you
in? Learning Tunisian crochet is easy, especially if you already know how to
crochet or knit, but even as a beginner. I promise you hours and hours of fun
and creativity with this enjoyable technique.
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