Hi it’s Michelle here again, this time with a tutorial for a Tunisian Crochet Wash Cloth.
Tunisian crochet is a deceptively easy technique that is a little bit crochet, a little bit knitting and looks like weaving. The resulting fabric is quite thick and spongy making it a perfect choice for wash or dishcloths, potholders, cushions and more. It’s also quite lovely for scarves if you use a fine yarn.
Once you get past the first few rows you’ll be powering ahead with the rhythmic motion of making these simple stitches and looking for more projects to try out your new skills.
This is a quick and easy project finished off with a crochet border in Linen Stitch and perfect for gift giving. Let’s get started!
You will need:
• Worsted weight cotton in 2 coordinating colours
• 6mm Tunisian hook (also known as Tricot or Afghan
hook)
• 4 mm crochet hook
A word about hooks: Tunisian hooks come in several different styles: Rigid, interchangeable extension and fixed extension.
The rigid is the most readily available and fine if you just want to give Tunisian crochet a try but I would strongly recommend getting yourself an interchangeable extension hook if you plan on doing any more.
These hooks are much easier to handle and more comfortable in your hand as well as being more practical as you can change the
length to suit the size of your project. Mine is also interchangeable with my circular knitting needle extensions so if you already own these you just need to purchase the hook.
How to:
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
sc – single crochet (US terms)
Sk – Skip
Yo – Yarn over
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sts – Stitches
TSS – Tunisian Simple Stitch
Tunisian Crochet Lesson
Note: Each row in Tunisian crochet takes two steps; the forward pass and the return pass.
Foundation row
Make a chain as you normally would to length required.
Starting from 2nd ch from hook, insert hook into top loop of your chain, yarn over, pull up loop and keep on hook.
Continue this way until end keeping all loops on hook.
Now we’re ready to complete the second part of the row, known
as the Return Pass. This step will be the same for every row from here.
o Working left to right
o Yarn over and pull through one loop (first stitch only)
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops to end
You’ll be left with one loop on your hook at the end
To make a row:
Step 1: Forward pass
o Slide hook through 2nd vertical bar from previous row
Yarn over and pull through loop (you now have 2 loops on hook)
Continue this way, keeping all loops on the hook until you reach the end of row.
On the last stitch, go through the back of both loops to give your edges a nice neat finish.
Step 2: Return Pass
To finish the row do a Return Pass the same way as you did in the foundation row. And that’s how you do the Tunisian Simple Stitch.
How to cast off:
Starting on a forward pass, insert your hook into the 2nd vertical bar and pull up loop as you would normally in a forward pass.
But this time, bring yarn over and make a slip stitch by pulling yarn through both loops on hook.
o This will leave you with one loop on hook. Continue slip stitching each stitch across row until you reach the end.
o Fasten off
Handy stuff to know:
- To count the number of rows you have made, each vertical bar represents one row.
- The curl! It’s gonna curl and that’s because the stitches are pulled up as you work.
Some yarn will curl more than others but don’t worry it will straighten out with a border and/or blocking. - Always go up a hook size or two than what you would normally use for your particular yarn.
- Count your stitches as you go! It can be easy to miss a stitch so count … count …. count.
- Try to keep an even or slightly loose tension. If you work too tightly you will struggle to pick up the stitches. Go up a couple of hook sizes if you need to.
- Stretch your hands often. Holding these hooks for too long really take their toll on your hands.
Washcloth Instructions
Measures 20 cm (without border)
- Ch 30
- Work aprox 29 rows Tunisian Simple Stitch.
Note: The number of rows will depend on the yarn you use. To check that your wash cloth is perfectly square, fold the bottom right hand corner diagonally up to the top left hand corner to check the size. - Once you have a square, cast off
Linen Stitch Border
Change back to your crochet hook
Row 1: Using contrast colour, sc into each stitch around washer, working [sc, ch 1, sc] in each corner. Join with sl st into top of first sc.
Row2: [sc, ch 1, sc], *ch 1, skip 1, sc 1 up to next corner [sc , ch 1, sc]. Repeat from* to end Join with a sl st into top of first sc. Break off yarn.
Row 3: Join Main colour into any corner chain space and repeat Row 2 but this time you will be working your sc into the ch sp of the previous row. Join with a sl st into top of first sc. Break off yarn.
Row 4: Join Contrast colour into any corner chain space and work same as Row 3. Break off yarn, weave in ends and you’re done!!
I hope you’ve enjoyed making this project. If you have any questions or would like to share your work, pop into my Ravelry group.
I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time Michelle x
You may also like – Crochet Rainbow Washcloths
About Michelle Robinson
Michelle is the face behind Poppy & Bliss. Her passion is crochet and her style is modern, vibrant and fun.
She teaches workshops in various styles of crochet, designs modern crochet patterns, occasionally remembers she has a blog at Poppy & Bliss but shares most of her work on Instagram
I LOVE these brightly colored Tunisian crocheted washcloths. I crochet a lot, but have not learned this style. In this tutorial, you’ve included sharp photos with your instructions. Thanks for the tutorial, Cintia. THANKS for sharing. Sarah Helene in Minneapolis
Oh, yes, I loved the photos ! I’ve done Tunisian for a few years, but am entirely self-taught … which shows. 😉 I feel that my skill will improve now that I can consult your lesson. Thank you for sharing. Minneapolis too.
I cannot find any place to print off the instructions.
I don’t have a print function on my posts but you can copy and past the instructions into a word document to print off if you really need a hard copy for your personal use.
I can do the Tunisian stitch, I have gotten really good with it.. but not sure I can do the border.. Do you have a video that shows someone doing a border stitch around…
Hi Trayne, not at this stage but will pop it on my list of video requests
these are really lovely. I’ve been meaning to have a go at Tunisian crochet for a while so maybe this will spur me on! thanks for the tutorial.
i LOVE your yarn. Do you mind sharing what brand you’re using in this project?
I’ll check with Michelle and get back to you 🙂
Any word on the yarn brand here? It just looks so lovely, I would love to get my hands on some of it 🙂 thank you!
I’m with Arianna here and love this pattern and the colors choices and wish to know the brand of cotton yarn used. Thanks for providing the free pattern!
I love Tunisian crochet. I made one of these last night. I absolutely love the color play and it turned out so good! Thank you for sharing this pattern. It is beautiful in it’s simplicity! I will be making a lot more. Thank you!!
website says – printable patterns —–
no way to print that I could find.
Janet
Hi Janet, which website? I can’t control what other people write on links to my blog, you may be able to print a copy of the web page from your browser.
If you are on a computer just go to ‘Print Preview’ under FILE it will give you a printable pattern which you can also enlarge.
Hi, I’m so pleased that you are all enjoying making these washcloths 🙂 For those enquiring about which yarn I have used, I have a used a variety of different yarns here: Bendigo Woollen Mills 8 ply cotton (doubled), Drops Paris and Lily Sugar n’ creme (which turns out a bit too coarse for my liking) and a baby cotton yarn (used doubled) but has now been discontinued.
I hope that helps.
Thanks, Michelle that does help! I agree with you about the Lily Sugar ‘n Creme. It’s great for pot holders, oven mitts or rugs but not much else due to its stiffness. The cotton yarn here in the States is very limited and the colors can’t be compared what you can get overseas where I guess cotton yarn is more popular. I checked out the Bendigo Woollen Mills cotton yarn and I just love the colors! Thanks once again for replying!
Thank you, I’ve tried this pattern so many time without success you made it so easy. I love this pattern. Going to go crazy and make lots and lots of these.
Great – so happy to hear Nancy. Such a practical skill too.
If there is a Hobby Lobby near you I found some beautiful soft cotton yarn called “I Love This Cotton! and it comes in all colors and is softer than the yarn you buy for dishcloths. I’m Tunisian crocheting a spa face cloth out of a beautiful Aqua color. This is my first attempt to crochet Tunisian style and it’s coming along nicely.
Great, thanks for the recommendation.
Where can I find the interchangeable extension hooks in the US? I have tried JoAnn Fabrics and they only had the rigid afghan hooks. I also searched online and didn’t find them there either.
I’m not sure about the US – I have found a seller on etsy that stocks them https://www.etsy.com/listing/94390570/knitters-pride-tunisian-crochet-hook (here is an affiliate link if you’d like to support my blog https://ad.zanox.com/ppc/?31108973C2026334523&ulp=%5B%5Bhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/94390570/knitters-pride-tunisian-crochet-hook%5D%5D)
I learned to do Tunisian crochet from videos & really enjoy it. I tried all the different Tunisian hooks that you are showing & I completely agree with you about the interchangeable one you show. I discovered this hook in one craft store & haven’t seen them anywhere else. The hooks themselves are a bit pricey, but the cable it’s self is inexpensive. They are so comfortable to use. The same brand has a complete size range of knitting needle ends that can be interchanged on the same cables. I now have quite a large selection of cable lengths, hook & knitting needle sizes & I wouldn’t use anything else. So nice to have such a short set of knitting needles to work with because you can choose from so many lengths of cable that holds your project. They are well worth searching for if you are going to do a lot of Tunisian crochet or knitting. For anyone living in the Red Deer, Alberta area, Crafty Lady craft store in Lacombe carry them & they are super ladies to deal with.
Thank you for sharing!
I love you site… ty for sharing….
I made one of these dishcloths and I love it!! They are quick and easy to make and make the most excellent dishcloths I have ever used. Learned to do them just before Christmas and have made nearly a dozen already. Thanks so much for sharing your pattern.
Thanks Gail, glad you enjoyed the pattern.
Thank you for the amazing tutorial. I was finally able to complete the Tunisian crochet method and I got a yarn that I was about to toss out to stripe! Yay!! Double bonus!
I’m wondering what yarn you used for the dishcloths, it’s so cheerful and bright 🙂
I think Michelle answered that question a little while ago in this comments section. It’s an assortment of yarns from her stash. She has listed some of the brands.
These are beautiful! Can’t wait to get a Tunisian hook and start making these…. thanks for sharing!
The instructions for the border have the following:
Row2: [sc, ch 1, sc], ch 1, skip 1, sc 1 up to next corner [sc , ch 1, sc]. Repeat from to end Join with a sl st into top of first sc. Break off yarn.
Could you please clarify as to what to repeat? I think it’s just a typo.
Yes, there was a formatting error that converted an asterisk to italic script – I have corrected it now – should read
Row2: [sc, ch 1, sc], *ch 1, skip 1, sc 1 up to next corner [sc , ch 1, sc]. Repeat from* to end Join with a sl st into top of first sc. Break off yarn.
Thanks. I sort of figured that was what was meant. I’ve seen things like that happen even in comments on things. Just wanted to bring it to your attention in case someone wasn’t sure. It took me a little bit to decide that was where things should be repeated. I only learned basic crochet about 7 months ago and really I am just learning Tunisian.
Thanks for pointing it out. It’s great having eagle eyed readers. I hope you’re enjoying your crochet journey. I too have recently learned to Tunisian Crochet with the help of Michelle’s new book. You may enjoy this book review https://mypoppet.com.au/makes/2017/09/craft-book-review-tunisian-crochet-workshop.html
Love this! Fun, new, easy!
*I love to tie these on a bottle of Joy dishwashing soap at Christmas time with a note: May your season be filled with Joy!
Corny but fun!
This is a precious idea!!!
Thank you for the lovely photos. I’m confused about this set of instructions as I just can’t visualize if. Is this to be done at the end of each row?
On the last stitch, go through the back of both loops to give your edges a nice neat finish.
Can you help? Thank you!
Yes, do this on every row.
Your advice to stop and stretch the hands every once in awhile (or more!) is spot on. I made 4 placemats for my sister’s Christmas present a couple of years back and just about crippled my hand. If fact, I finished 3 of them, but had to put the 4th one on the back burner until I could grip the hook again!
The instructions list two sizes of hooks, and the picture of supplies shows three hooks. The pictures in the instructions appear to be showing the 5mm hook, which is the one not listed in the supply list. Help!!! What size hook should I use???
The various hooks pictured are show not indicate the broad variety and styles of hooks available. The hook size you use depends on your yarn weight.
If you use worsted yarn a 6mm hook is recommended. For DK yarn, a 5mm hook is suitable.
I absolutely LOVE these dishcloths (the body) and I think I am able to do the first two rows of the crochet border, but I am struggling with how to do rows 3 and 4, which I think would give such a nice finished look. Is there any way you can show a few pictures for rows 3 and 4? Or a video? Thank you so much for a great project.
You may find this video helpful. https://youtu.be/pR6-RyYshQQ
Thank you so much and I will give it a try.