Week #3: Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along

Are you ready for the THIRD square in the 2023 Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along?! This week we are working up a square using the Tunisian Half Double Crochet Stitch, a quick to work up, super plush stitch. You’ll love it!

Tunisian Basics Crochet Along Square #3

This is the third week of the 2023 Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along and I just know that you’re going to love this one. The stitches are nice and wide, as well as tall, and the squish factor is out of this world!

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 stitch:

The Half Double Stitch is one of the widest Tunisian crochet stitches. It works up super quickly and has great texture.

The Half Double Stitch is pretty tall compared to other Tunisian stitches, such as the Simple Stitch or the Knit Stitch. This means we will have to crochet fewer rows than we did on the first two squares.

This stitch is also super thick meaning that we still use a decent amount of yarn.

Square #3: Tunisian Half Double Crochet Stitch

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. 130 yards

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

Gauge: approx. 11.5 sts x 10 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 Half Double Stitch Multiple: There is no stitch multiple for this pattern so you can start with ANY chain length needed.

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

Return Pass: Ch-1, * YO, pull through 3 loops * repeat from * to end.

Tslst = Tunisian Slip Stitch (to fasten off, insert hook under both vertical bars of each Thdc stitch for slip stitching)

If you would like to follow along with a VIDEO tutorial for this square, simply start with a chain of 34 while watching this video:

Tunisian Half Double Stitch Square:

Foundation Row: Ch-34, YO, pull up a loop in the 2nd chain from the hook, YO pull up a loop in each to end. Return Pass. (34)

Rows 2 – 29: Thdc across. Edge stitch. Return pass. (34)

Tslst 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, August 2nd, 2023, when the next square will be released.