Week #7: Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along

Today we are combining stitches to make a gorgeous square and I just know you’ll love it. As the 7th square in the 2023 Tunisian Basics Crochet-Along, we are working up a square using a Tunisian Diagonal Effect.

Tunisian Basics Crochet Along Square #7

This square combines two basic stitches to make a gorgeous effect, the diagonal effect! We are using Tunisian Knit Stitches with Tunisian Reverse Stitches in a way that cascades up and diagonally.

The goal of this square is to discover how fun it is to mix different stitches. You could have these columns go straight up by repeating the same row over and over, but by offsetting the rows by just one stitch each row the entire vibe is changed.

This would make for a gorgeous placemat using a cotton yarn, don’t you think?

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:

Because we already know and love the Knit Stitch and the Reverse Stitch, this square will be fun to crochet and a breeze to work up.

You will need to start with a multiple of SIX + TWO. Instructions and helpful tips on adjusting your square size are outlined below.

Square #7: Tunisian Diagonal Effect 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. 13 sts x 11.5 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 this square is 6 + 2. Should you need to adjust your chain length you will need to add or remove from the original chain in multiples of SIX.

Changing the width by six whole stitches, whether that be adding or removing, can really affect the overall width of your square. Possibly too much so. If you are within about an inch of the desired width of 11.75″, then I suggest changing the hook size to obtain gauge before changing the number of stitches in your square.

Should you need help with either of these stitches you can watch the Knit Stitch tutorial here and the Reverse Stitch tutorial here.

If you have any questions when making this square, don’t hesitate to ask!

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, slip stitch using same hook placement as the rest of the square)

Tunisian Diagonal Effect Square:

Foundation Row: Ch-38, pull up a loop in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each to end. Return Pass. (38)

Row 2: * TRS in 2, TKS in 4 * repeat between * * across. Edge stitch. Return Pass. (38)

Row 3: TRS in 1, * TKS in 4, TRS in 2 * repeat between ** across, ending with one TRS st. Edge stitch. Return Pass. (38)

Row 4: * TKS in 4, TRS in 2 * repeat between * * across. Edge stitch. Return pass. (38)

Row 5: TKS in 3, * TRS in 2, TKS in 4 * repeat between * * across, ending with one TKS st. Edge stitch Return pass. (38)

Row 6: TKS in 2, * TRS in 2, TKS in 4 * repeat between * * across, ending with two TKS sts. Edge stitch, Return pass. (38)

Row 7: TKS in 1, * TRS in 2, TKS in 4 * repeat between * * across, ending with three TKS sts. Edge stitch. Return pass. (38)

Rows 8 – 31: repeat rows 2 – 7

Rows 32 – 34: repeat rows 2 – 4

Tslst across maintaining 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, August 29th, 2023, when the next square will be released.