Week #6: Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along

Today marks the halfway mark of making squares, which means that today is the day for square number 6 in the 2023 Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along. This week we are working up a square using the Tunisian Full Stitch.

Tunisian Basics Crochet Along Square #6

I just love the Full stitch. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a mindless stitch and the stitches just fly off the hook. And they are so, so pretty.

This square is plush and easy to make. This is a thick crochet stitch that works great especially for blankets such as in the Tweed & True Baby Blanket free pattern here.

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 Full Stitch is super easy. Constructed very much like the knit stitch, with the only difference being the placement of the hook when pulling up loops in the Forward Pass. Instead of going through the stitches you’ll insert your hook between the stitches. That’s it!

The Tunisian Full Stitch is abbreviated as TFS.

There is no multiple for this stitch. Start with any number of chains.

I find it helpful if I intentionally keep my loops, particularly the outside loops, on the tighter side. As with all crochet, consistency is key.

The stitches created are averaged size for width and a bit on the short side, meaning that it takes more rows to make a square than some of the other stitches have.

The Full stitch is great for slow color changing gradient yarns. Because of the way the current row is worked into the row below it, color changing yarn makes for a gorgeous effect.

In fact, I’m working on a new scarf pattern that will be published soon, but wanted to go ahead and show a photo because WOW! 👀 I can’t wait to see that yellow transition to green, then to the blue! Stay tuned for this free pattern hitting the Tunisian pattern section of the blog as soon as its finished.

Square #6: Tunisian Full Stitch 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. 125 yards

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

Gauge: approx. 12.5 sts x 12 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 Full Stitch Multiple: There is no multiple needed for this stitch. Should you need to adjust your chain length you can start with ANY number of chains.

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

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

Tfslst = Tunisian Full Slip Stitch (to fasten off, slip stitch using same hook placement as Full stitch)

If you would like to follow along with a VIDEO tutorial for this square, simply start with a chain of 36 while watching this video:

Tunisian Full Square:

Foundation Row: Ch-36, pull up a loop in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each to end. Return Pass. (36)

Row 2: TFS in first sp and in each sp across. Skip last space. Edge stitch. Return Pass. (36)

Row 3: Skip first space. TFS in each sp across, including last sp. Edge Stitch Return Pass. (36)

Rows 4 – 35: Repeat rows 2 & 3 (36)

Tfslst 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 23rd, 2023, when the next square will be released.