Week #10: Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along

As this week’s square pattern for the 2023 Tunisian Basics Crochet Along we’re using the Yarn Over Lace stitch. This is drapey, not too holey, and absolutely gorgeous. It works up SO FAST too… just 28 rows!

Tunisian Basics Crochet Along Square #10

This week is the week we learn how to manipulate stitches with increases and decreases. Exciting!

As we learned in the Ultimate Guide to Tunisian Crochet, increasing can be done in virtually any manner that results in an extra loop being added to your hook. This can be done by pulling up a loop in any part of the stitch or the stitch around it OR by doing a Yarn Over before completing the next stitch. This is what we’ll be doing today.

Alternately, decreasing in Tunisian crochet can be as simple as having fewer loops to your hook. You can decrease in the Backward Pass by pulling through an additional loop (instead of “YO pull through 2” it would be “YO, pull through 3”) OR in the Forward Pass by pulling up ONE loop where you would normally have two. You’ll see what I mean as we go along, and in the video tutorial for this stitch here.

For this square we are increasing EVERY stitch while also decreasing EVERY time. This means that the stitch count is a wash and thus remains the same count throughout. So, let’s learn how to increase and decrease Tunisian in this week’s square. Woohoo!

In this CAL we are starting with the basics. The goal of this project is for you to walk away with not only a snazzy new blanket, but with a firm grasp of all things Tunisian crochet. This includes all of the basic stitches, how to read the patterns, mastering your tension, adjusting stitch counts, and so much more.

I decided to make 24 squares for my crochet-along blanket, two of each week’s pattern. My finished blanket will be 4 blocks wide and 6 blocks tall, plus the width of the border. See more about blanket sizing here.

Some things to note about this square:

The stitch multiple for this square is 2. As long as you have an even number of stitches it will work out perfectly.

Square #10: Tunisian Yarn Over Lace Square

If you are new to this Crochet-Along, you will want to start here with the Materials & Information post. You will also benefit from the Ultimate Guide to Tunisian Crochet. This will not only help beginners to learn the techniques used in Tunisian crochet, there are helpful tips and notes for any skill level.

Now… let’s get started!

Materials:

Brava Worsted Yarn
-approx. 110 yards

Crochet hook in size 7mm (or needed to obtain gauge)

Gauge: approx. 14 sts x 9.5 rows = 4″ (10 cm) square

Finished Dimensions: approx. 11.75″ (30 cm) square

It is most important that your squares throughout the Crochet-Along remain consistent in size to each other, even if they don’t exactly match my measurements. If you find that your square is not the correct size, you can either change your hook size or adjust the number of chains needed to start.

Tunisian Stitch Multiple: The stitch multiple for the Yarn Over Lace stitch is 2. If your square is off in size, add or remove from the starting chain in multiples of two stitches.

If you’d like to follow along with the video tutorial for this stitch, start with me using a chain of 42.

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

Return Pass: Ch-1, * YO, pull through 2 loops * repeat from * to end.

Tslst2tog = Tunisian Slip Stitch 2 together (to fasten off, slip stitch using the next two vertical bars)

Tunisian Yarn Over Lace Square:

Foundation Row: Ch-42, pull up a loop in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each to end. Return Pass. (42)

Rows 2 – 28: TSS2tog, * YO, TSS2tog * repeat between * * to end. YO, Edge stitch Return pass. (42)

Fasten off row: * Tslst2tog, Tslst in upper bar of next ch * repeat between * * across.

Ch-1, rotate, * sc in each row end to corner, 3sc in corner st, sc in each st across, 3sc in corner st * repeat between * * one more time. Fasten off using Invisible Join.

You will want to block each of your squares as they are completed. See this full tutorial on how to block your crochet pieces.

Of course you could wait and do them all at once before we assemble the blanket at the end of the Crochet-Along, but doing it as we go gets it out of the way while also ensuring that our sizing is correct for each square as we go along.

For my blocking board I marked out a 12″ square using my T-Pins. I then used a contrasting yarn to tie round the perimeter of the square to make blocking the square in straight lines to be easier and faster.

I am keeping this blocking template handy for the duration of the CAL so I can block as needed. Awesome!

When you finish your square be sure to comment with a photo of it on this post in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook. You can also tag me by using @HeartHookHome across all social media, and/or use the hashtag #2023TunisianCAL so we can ALL see!

Stay tuned for NEXT Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, when the next square will be released.