Tunisian Crochet Basket Weave Stitch Tutorial
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Looking for a tutorial complete with video to help you learn how to crochet the Tunisian Basket Weave stitch? This stitch has amazing texture and is super fun to crochet. Let’s learn how!
Tunisian Crochet Basket Weave Tutorial
The Tunisian Crochet Basket Weave stitch is a great alternative to the traditional basket weave stitch. It uses less yarn and is less bulky, and has a knit-like appearance. If you’re looking for an easy-to-crochet stitch with great texture, this is it!
This stitch works great for all things from baskets to blankets and everything in between. In fact, there is a NEW blanket pattern coming out soon using a bulky weight yarn that works up beautifully. Make sure you’re on the email newsletter list so you are notified when that free pattern is published.
Ready to learn? Keep in mind that with this stitch YOU decide how large to make each individual woven block. For this tutorial I am making each textured square four stitches wide and four rows tall. Since we have three blocks, that means 3 x 4 = 12 chains, plus the outside stitch on each end means we start with a chain of 14.
How to Tunisian Basket Weave Crochet:
Foundation Row: Chain 14. Pull up a loop in the second chain from the hook and in each chain to end.
Return pass is as in traditional Tunisian crochet: Chain one to start. Yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over pull through two loops… all the way to the end of the row.
We have now created the foundation row onto which we will build the basket weave fabric.
First Basket Weave row: Tunisian Knit Stitch in the first 4 sts, Tunisian Purl Stitch in the next 4 sts.
Alternate 4 knit and 4 purl stitches across, ending with 4 Tunisian Knit Stitches…
In the outside/last st, pull up a final loop as pictured below.
Return Pass as normal.
Complete three more rows exactly as the last. You should have four rows of Tunisian Basket Weave.
Now we will alternate the stitches so that we start with 4 purl stitches, then 4 knit stitches, then 4 purl stitches etc.
Complete this for four rows total.
Once those four rows are completed you’ll start a new set of blocks. This time starting with 4 knit, 4 purl, 4 knit, etc.
Continue building height in this manner until the piece is as tall as you like. When you are ready to fasten off you’ll slip stitch in each vertical bar across. Make sure not to slip stitch too tightly!
This video is also available on YouTube if you prefer. Be sure to subscribe while you’re there! 😉
Video Tutorial:
Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Tunisian Basket Weave Stitch:
What is the Tunisian basket weave stitch? A combination of Tunisian Knit Stitches (TKS) and Tunisian Purl Stitches (TPS) combined in a way that creates little textured boxes with a woven-like appearance.
This stitch is simple and stunning! I absolutely love the woven texture no matter what the finished project.
How do you start the first row of Tunisian basket weave crochet? As in most Tunisian stitches you’ll want to start with a foundation row of Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS).
How many stitches wide should each Tunisian basket weave portion be? Each woven “box” can be as small or as large as you like. You do want the boxes to be big enough to create the effect of the basket weave yet small enough that you can clearly see the design. Commonly you’ll find patterns using boxes that are 4 stitches wide and 4 rows tall, or 5 stitches wide and 5 rows tall.
How many chains do I need to start? The number of chains needed depends on how wide you’d like each textured box to be. In this tutorial example each box is 4 stitches wide, and I prefer to have an odd number of boxes. This ensures that the textured boxes both start with a knit stitch “box” and end with the knit stitch “box”.
To determine how many chains I need to start a project first decide how many boxes wide the project needs to be, then take that number and multiply it by 4. If the project is 7 boxes wide, and we account for the outside stitch on each end, the math would look like this:
4 sts per block x 7 blocks wide = 28 stitches, plus one for each side = 30 chains to start.
What stitches do you need to know to do the Tunisian Basket Weave? To make this stitch you need to know how to make the Tunisian Knit Stitch and the Tunisian Purl Stitch.
What kind of yarn works best? You can use virtual any kind of yarn with a corresponding hook size. Gauge is not super important unless you are following a pattern but as in most Tunisian stitch patterns it works best to use a slightly larger hook than the yarn recommends. In this case I used a 6 mm crochet hook with 100% worsted cotton.
A Tunisian Stitch that doesn’t curl? This stitch creates a gorgeous fabric that does not curl the way most other Tunisian stitches do. This means that this stitch works great for everything from washcloths to scarves, to blankets.
Can you use a regular crochet hook? Technically speaking you could use a regular crochet hook as long as it doesn’t have a handle grip or other shaping, but you will always have better results (and be able to do much larger projects) if you use an actual Tunisian crochet hook. This does not have to be a fancy set. Read more about tunisian hooks here, including an economical beginner set.
Is it easier to do normal basket weave or Tunisian basket weave? I would much rather work the Tunisian basket weave over the regular crochet version. I’ve found that the Tunisian version uses less yarn and works up quicker.
How do you fasten off Tunisian basket weave stitch? You’ll fasten off just like you do with other types of Tunisian crochet stitches. Simply slip stitch in each vertical bar across. Just make sure that your slip stitches are not too tight or the top of your piece will be more narrow than the bottom.
That is it! I hope you love this technique and that you enjoy creating projects using this stitch. I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Make sure to tag me so I can see by using @HeartHookHome across all social media, and by sharing in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook.
More Tunisian Crochet:
Tunisian Smock Stitch Tutorial
Tunisian Knitling Stitch Tutorial
