Tunisian (also known as Afghan) Crochet makes a dense and squishy fabric with a beautiful texture. It’s very easy to learn and very satisfying to hook up!

This type of crochet is distinguished by the tool you use to work it, namely a long “Afghan” hook. You should choose a size that is at least two sizes bigger then the hook you would normally use with the same yarn. Our Afghan Crochet Hooks are available right here.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Another characteristic of Tunisian Crochet is that the front side of the fabric is always facing you. Generally, you create Tunisian Crochet fabric by alternating “Forward” and “Return” rows. The Forward row moves from right to left as you pick up stitches, leaving them on the shaft of the hook. And the Return row moves from left to right as you remove the stitches from the hook.

Here you’ll learn how to make a Tunisian Crochet fabric using the basic Tunisian Simple Stitch. Let’s get started!

Foundation Chain

Make a foundation chain just as you would for regular crochet. (Your pattern will tell you how many chains to make.) Don’t know how to make a foundation chain? Check out our tutorial right here.

Preparation Row

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

A crocheted chain has a front side characterized by interlocking “v”‘s and a back side characterized by small bumps. In the above photo the front side is on the left, and the back side is on the right.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

You will work the Preparation Row into the bumps of the back side of the chain, starting with the second bump from the hook.

Insert the hook into the back bump, yarn over and pull a loop through, leaving it on the Afghan hook. Continue with each chain bump..

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

…all the way to the end of the Foundation Chain.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Return Row

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Chain 1.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Yarn over and pull a loop through the next two stitches on the hook.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Repeat this last step until one stitch remains on the hook.

Forward Row

Remember that you don’t turn the work; just keep the same side facing you!

For the Forward Row you will insert the hook through vertical strands, created by the previous row. The first three vertical strands are shown here in pink:

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

So, insert the hook from right to left through the first vertical strand. Yarn over and pull a loop through, leaving it on the hook.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Continue to pull a loop through each vertical strand until you reach the end of the row.

Finish by inserting the hook into the chain one from the previous row…

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

…and pulling a loop through.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

(If you’d like a very sturdy edge, make this final stitch through both strands of the chain one.)

Changing Colors

When two stitches remain at the end of the Return Row…

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

…use the new color to draw through both loops.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Work the Forward Row as usual.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Finishing

Finish off on a Forward Row. Insert the hook into the first vertical strand, yarn over and draw the loop through both the vertical strand and the stitch on the hook.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Repeat this step of drawing a loop through both the vertical stitch and the stitch on the hook until the end of the row.

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Then cut the yarn and pull it through the last loop. Done!

Tunisian Crochet Basics | Purl Soho

Tunisian Crochet fabric does have a tendency to curl a bit. Using a hook that is at least two sizes bigger than you normally would is one way to help prevent the curling. Another way is to make sure you block your finished piece!

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What to do with all this new knowledge? Check out our free Tunisian Crochet projects!