Do you love crochet but also love the look of knitting? The tunisian crochet knit stitch (TKS) gives you the best of both worlds!
This tunisian crochet tutorial will show you step by step how to master the tunisian crochet knit stitch. All you need to know first is how to create the foundation row, then you are ready to move on to the steps below.
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The written tutorial is set out below with photos. However, if you prefer a demonstration of how to complete the tunisian crochet knit stitch, you can check out the video below.
Materials
For the written tutorial below, I have used Caron Simply Soft in the colour Sunshine. This is a worsted weight acrylic yarn. However, you can use any kind of yarn you have on hand to practice your tunisian crochet knit stitches.
You will also need a tunisian crochet hook, also known as an afghan hook, such as this Susan Bates Flexible Afghan Hook which you can order from Lovecrafts.
For this tutorial I used a 6.0 mm hook.
Tunisian crochet generally requires a larger hook size than typical crochet in order to keep your work from becoming too stiff. In this regard, I recommend using a hook two sizes larger than is recommended on the yarn label.
Notes
Unlike regular crochet, when doing tunisian crochet, you will not turn your work. All your stitches will be completed on the right side of your work.
As with other tunisian crochet stitches, a complete tunisian crochet knit stitch row is made up of both a forward pass and a reverse pass, just like in the foundation row.
The forward pass and reverse pass are set out separately below for clarity.
Try to keep your stitches on the looser side when doing tunisian crochet in order to complete your stitches easily. Tunisian crochet has a tendency to become tight as you work along. And paying attention to your tension and keeping it loose is key.
In addition, tunisian crochet loves to curl. This is totally normal, so do not worry when it happens to your work.
To try to prevent curling, you can start your foundation row in the back bump of your chain or go up another hook size. In addition, curling can be remedied at the end of a project by adding a border or blocking your work.
Tunisian Crochet Knit Stitch – Forward Pass
Step 1 – Begin by making your foundation row as seen in the first photo above. You can make it as long as you wish. I recommend keeping track of how many stitches you begin with in order to be sure you are maintaining the correct stitch count.
Step 2 – When you look at your foundation row, locate the second vertical bar from your hook. In the second photo above, you will see it in front of the hook.
Look closely at the vertical bar that you have located. You will notice that the bar is actually the front of a loop. When you pull the sitches apart slightly, you will be able to see the back of the loop as well, slightly behind and to the right of the front vertical bar.
Step 3 – Insert your hook on an angle between the front vertical bar and that back bar of the loop. Your hook should exit on the wrong side of your work. It should look similar to the third photo above.
Step 4 – Yarn over as seen in in the first photo above.
Step 5 – Pull up a loop as shown in the second photo abo
Repeat these steps in every stitch in your foundation row, except the last one.
Step 6 – When you get to the last stitch in your foundation row, turn your work towards you slightly. You should see where the stitches have made what resembles an upside down “V”. You will insert your hook under both of these bars as shown in photo one above.
Step 7 – Next yarn over as shown in the second photo above and pull up a loop.
Your forward pass is complete and it should resemble the one shown below.
Tunisian Crochet Knit Stitch – Reverse Pass
Step 1 – To begin the reverse pass, you will yarn over and pull through the first loop on your hook. See the first photo above.
Step 2– Next, yarn over again and pull through the next two loops on your hook. See the second photo above.
Repeat step 2 all the way along until you have one loop remaining on your hook.
Your first complete Tunisian Crochet Knit Stitch row is complete and should look similar to the photo below. Be sure the number of stitches is correct.
Repeat the forward and reverse passes to complete further rows. After several rows, your work will look like the photo below.
I hope you enjoyed this tunisian crochet knit stitch tutorial.
This stitch creates such a beautiful, thick and warm fabric perfect to use for warm winter garments. You can follow me on Pinterest for some tunisian crochet patterns and ideas.
Keep practicing your tension along with the stitches above and you will be well on your way to mastering tunisian crochet.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Until next time, happy tunisian stitching!
