Tunisian Crochet is an easy way to create pretty entrelac patterns. Standard crochet hooks can be used and the resulting fabric is thick and warm. This is a great way to use up your yarn stash, as each “tier” can be worked in a different yarn. Alternatively, a variegated yarn with a long dye change, such as Noro Kureyon, or Kauni Effektgarn can be used to create a beautiful finished item.
How to Work Tunisian Entrelac Crochet
An understanding of the basic Tunisian Crochet stitches is required.
Make a multiple of ten chain for each square that you want, plus one extra chain.
First Square.
- Starting at the second chain from the hook, pick up one loop from each of the following six chain (7 loops on the hook).
- Work a return row.
- Work a Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) into each of the five vertical bars, then pick up one loop from the next available chain (Fig 1). You now have seven loops on the hook.
- Work a return row.
- Repeat the TSS and return rows three more times (five rows in total), then bind off the square.
Binding Off in Tunisian Crochet
Insert the hook into the bar (in the same was as for a TSS stitch). Wrap the yarn around the hook, and pull through the bar and the loop on the hook.
Second and Subsequent Squares
- Pick up six loops from the chain (7 loops on the hook), and complete as the first square. Fasten off the yarn at the end of the tier.
Second Tier
- Join your contrast colour yarn to the first bind off stitch from the first tier (Fig 2). This gives the first loop on the hook.
- Pick up a loop from each of the five stitches at the top of the first tier square, and then pick up a loop from the end stitch of the next square (Fig 3).
- Work a return row.
- Work a TSS into the five vertical bars, and then pick up a look from the next available end stitch.
- Work a return row.
- Repeat the TSS and return rows three times (five rows in total).
- Bind off the square and then repeat along the tier. Fasten off the yarn.
Third Tier
- Join the yarn in the same stitch as the beginning of tier two.
- Work six chain, then starting in the second chain from the hook, pick up one loop in each of the five following chain, and one loop from the end stitch of the next square.
- Work a return row.
- Complete the square and the tier as row two until you get to the final square. This does not have stitches picked up from another square, and so simply work on the seven loops.
- Repeat the second and third tiers until you have your required length of work.
Tunisian Entrelac Crochet can be used to make Afghans, bags, wraps and shawls, and is a useful skill for the crocheter to learn.
Lesley Arnold-Hopkins - Lesley Arnold-Hopkins is a freelance writer whose work and hobbies have given her areas of expertise in a number of fields. She has an ...
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