Week #11: Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along

The second-to-last square pattern for the 2023 Tunisian Basics Crochet Along is here and I can’t believe it. We are SO CLOSE to finishing our blankets! This week we are using the gorgeous Honeycomb stitch which is fun, and easy, too.

Tunisian Basics Crochet Along Square #11

The Tunisian Honeycomb stitch is a true thing of beauty. The Honeycomb combines two basic stitches: the Tunisian Simple Stitch (week #1) and the Tunisian Purl Stitch (week #8). We alternate these two stitches and offset every other row so that we get this amazing texture.

Did you love the Tunisian Simple stitch and the Tunisian Purl stitch? Do you prefer one over the other? When I’m crocheting a solid square using the purl stitch I feel a bit slower. It’s crazy how adding in the alternating simple stitch both keeps my interest and maintains my normal speed. I think you’re going to like this one!

Patterns featuring the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch:

You can tell how much I love this stitch. I’ve made several other patterns using it and some of these are among my most popular patterns to date. If you love making this square be sure to give these other patterns a try.

Back in Brugge Slouchy Beanie Free Crochet Pattern

The Bee’s Knees Face Cloth: Free Crochet Pattern (great for practicing!)

Juliet’s Baby Blanket: Baby Blanket (or Nursing Cover) Crochet Pattern

Honeycomb Shawl: Free Tunisian Crochet Triangle Shawl Pattern

Honeycomb Cardi Top-Down Tunisian Crochet Pattern

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. I prefer to have an ODD number of chains to start. Technically speaking you don’t HAVE to have an odd number, but if you do then you’ll always start a row and end a row with either the Tunisian Simple or the Tunisian Purl. I feel it looks more balanced this way but it is not absolutely necessary.

Square #11: Tunisian Honeycomb 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. 115 yards

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

Gauge: approx. 13 sts x 11 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 Honeycomb swuare is 2 + 1. Basically just make sure that the stitch count is an odd number, and if your square needs to be adjusted for 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 39.

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

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

Tslst = Tunisian Slip Stitch (to fasten off, use the vertical bar for slip stitching, maintaining the Honeycomb pattern)

Tunisian Honeycomb Square:

Foundation Row: Ch-39, pull up a loop in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each to end. Return Pass. (39)

Row 2: * TSS in next st, TPS in next * repeat between * * across. TSS, Edge stitch. Return Pass. (39)

Row 3: * TPS in next st, TSS in next * repeat between * * across. TPS, Edge stitch. Return Pass. (39)

Rows 4 – 32: alternate previous two rows.

Tslst across maintaining honeycomb pattern. 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.