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Tunisian crochet sits halfway between knitting and crochet. You use a long hook, pick up a whole row of loops onto it, then work them back off two at a time. The fabric is thick, stable, and has a woven, grid-like face that plain crochet can't make.
The Tunisian simple stitch is the first stitch everyone learns and the one this page teaches. Every Tunisian stitch is a variation on it, so once the forward and return passes make sense, our guide to Tunisian crochet stitches is the next read.
It's a beginner stitch. The one thing that makes it work is never turning: each row is a trip across (forward pass) and a trip back (return pass).
Watch: Tunisian Simple Stitch Video Tutorial
Watch the loops pile up on the forward pass, and how the return pass starts with a chain 1 before the yarn-over, pull-through-two rhythm.
What You Need
A Tunisian hook: longer than a regular hook, with a stopper or cable so the loops don't slide off. The swatch uses medium (worsted) weight yarn and a US K/6.5mm Tunisian hook, larger than usual for worsted, because the bigger hook keeps this dense fabric soft. A smooth, light-colored yarn makes the vertical bars easy to see.
Abbreviations (US terms): ch = chain, st(s) = stitch(es), yo = yarn over, FwP = forward pass, RetP = return pass. Vertical bar = the upright strand on the front of each stitch.
Stitch multiple: any number of stitches. The swatch chains 20.
Tunisian Simple Stitch Written Pattern
Size: 6x6 Inches
Gauge: 4” = Stitches | Rows
Yarn: Medium Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook: US K/6.5mm Tunisian Crochet Hook
Abbreviations
Ch – Chain
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Yo – Yarn Over
FwP – Forward Pass
RetP – Return Pass
Foundation Row: Ch 20 or any number of sts to measure 6 inches. Insert hook in 2nd ch, yo, pull up a loop (leave this on your hook). *insert your hook in next ch st, yo, pull up a loop. Repeat from * to end. (20 loops on hook).
Return pass (RetP) as follows: ch1, *yo, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * until one loop on your hook.
Row 1:
Forward Pass (FwP): Skip the side (edge) st, *insert your hook through next front vertical bar, yo, pull up a loop. Repeat from * to last (edge) st. Insert through 2 loops on last st, yo, pull up a loop.
Return pass (RetP) as follows: ch1, *yo, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * until one loop on your hook.
Repeat row 1 for a total of 15 rows (including foundation row) or until piece measures 6”.
Bind/Cast off: *Insert your hook through the next vertical bar, yo, pull up a loop, pull through loop on hook. Repeat from * to last (edge) st. Insert through 2 loops on last st, yo, pull up a loop, pull through loop on hook.
Fasten off & weave in ends. Block to 6x6 square.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Foundation forward pass. Chain 20. Starting in the second chain, pull up a loop in every chain and leave each on the hook. You end with 20 loops.
- Return pass. Chain 1, then yarn over and pull through two loops until one is left. Don't turn. That ch 1 keeps the edge from pulling in.
- Find the vertical bars. Each stitch on the front shows an upright strand. Skip the first one; the loop on your hook already counts as that stitch.
- Row 1 forward pass. Slide the hook behind each vertical bar, yarn over, pull up a loop, and leave it. At the last stitch, go through both strands of the edge so the side stays firm.
- Return and repeat. Every row is forward then return. Fifteen rows make the square. The bind off is a forward pass where each new loop is pulled through the one before it.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Tunisian simple stitch curls toward you at the bottom. Blocking helps and a bigger hook helps more.
- Count loops at the end of every forward pass. Losing the last edge stitch is the usual error and narrows the piece on one side.
- Keep the return pass relaxed, or the fabric stiffens.
- Work behind the bar, not through the gap beside it, which makes a different, looser stitch.
What to Make With the Tunisian Simple Stitch
The grid-like face takes cross-stitch well, so washcloths and pillow covers in worsted are natural first projects. In bulky yarn it makes a thick blanket; sizing from our how to crochet a blanket guide applies. In sport or DK silk, a Tunisian wrap drapes well as long as you use the bigger hook.
Related Stitches
- Tunisian Crochet Series: Simple Stitches — the follow-on video set once this swatch is done
- Crochet Waistcoat Stitch — another dense, knit-look crochet fabric
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Tunisian fabric is dense, so a smooth yarn keeps it from feeling stiff. Worsted weight yarn on the K hook is the standard learning setup. For a wrap with drape, Darn Good Twist Sport Weight Silk Yarn is a recycled silk, hand-dyed by artisans in India, and the woven face shows off its sheen.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Tunisian Crochet FAQ
Do I need a special hook for Tunisian crochet?
Yes. A Tunisian hook is long, or has a cable, so a full row of loops fits on it.
Why does Tunisian crochet curl?
The forward pass sits on the front and the return pass on the back, which pulls the fabric toward you. A larger hook, blocking, and a border reduce it.
Is Tunisian crochet harder than regular crochet?
No, just different. If you can chain and pull up a loop, you can do Tunisian simple stitch.
