As a young child visiting my cousins in Vienna, I remember a group of elderly women who gathered daily in a nearby park to crochet under a stand of giant linden trees. They were a tremendously productive group, with projects that seemed to materialize in record speed, though my curiosity focused primarily on one woman who used an especially long, wooden hook. Summoning me over one afternoon, she introduced me to the beautiful art of Tunisian crochet.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

With the regular back and forth motion of a typewriter’s carriage, this surprisingly easy technique works up quickly and densely, perfect for warm and cozy scarves. In Gobelin Stitch, the nubbly reverse side is just as appealing as the smooth front, and in Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, the drape is dramatic and the feel, wonderfully soft.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

As crisp fall air descends upon us, find a few hours to steal away to a sunny park bench nestled in a grove of trees, and there, create this beautiful Tunisian Crochet Scarf in no time flat! -Kristy

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

Materials

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

  • 7 skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure (no longer available), 100% super baby alpaca; approximately 763 yards of a worsted weight yarn required. We used the color Heirloom White.
  • A size J (6 mm) Afghan crochet hook

Gauge

14 stitches = 4 inches in Tunisian Crochet Gobelin Stitch

Size

12 inches wide x 70 inches long

Pattern

Begin

NOTE: If you’re unfamiliar with the techniques of Tunisian Crochet, please check out our Tunisian Crochet Basics Tutorial.

Foundation Row: Chain 42.

Starting with the second chain from the hook, work a Preparation Row.

Work one Return Row.

Work Gobelin Stitch

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

Forward Row 1: Insert hook through space number 1 (between the vertical strands), yarn over (yo), pull loop through onto hook.

*Insert hook in next space, yo, pull loop through onto hook, repeat from * to last space.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

Skip the last space.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

Insert the hook into the chain stitch at the edge and pull loop through onto hook. [42 stitches]

Note: Remember that when you start the next row, you don’t turn the work; you just keep the same side facing you.

Return Row 1: Chain 1, *yo, pull loop through next 2 stitches on hook, repeat from * to end of row, ending with one loop on hook.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

Forward Row 2: Insert hook into space number 2, yo, pull loop through onto hook, *insert hook in next space, yo, pull loop through onto hook, repeat from * to end of row, including the last space.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho

Insert the hook into the chain stitch at the edge and pull loop through onto hook.

Return Row 2: Repeat Return Row 1.

Repeat these 4 Rows until piece measures 70 inches, ending with Return Row 2.

Finish

On Forward Row 1, insert hook into space number 1, *pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, insert hook into next space and repeat from * to end of row, ending with one loop on hook.”

Cut yarn and pull through remaining loop.

With the right side facing you, join yarn and make a single crochet into each stitch along the bind-off edge. Cut yarn and pull through remaining loop.

Repeat for the cast-on edge.

Weave in all ends and block as desired.

Tunisian Crochet Scarf | Purl Soho