How to Do a Tunisian Purl Stitch

 

Want to learn about Tunisian crochet? The unique craft is a hybrid craft that combines knitting and crocheting. The list of similarities is quite vast. While you work with Tunisian crochet hooks to make loops of crochet stitches, you work the stitch in a back-and-forth knitting style. You pick the stitches on the hook like on a knitting needle in the foundation row and then work it in the next row.  Tunisian hooks also have something in common with knitting needles; the interchangeable cord attached also works for interchangeable circular needles. Even Tunisian crochet has stitches such as Tunisian Knit and Tunisian Purl. Now, to get started with the unique Tunisian crochet craft, we'll take you through how to do a Tunisian Purl Stitch in this blog.

What is the Tunisian Purl Stitch?

A basic stitch pattern of Tunisian crochet, this purl stitch has a lot in common with its knitting counterpart and namesake. The stitches look like a V, similar to the purl stitch in knitting. Like in knitting, most stitch patterns work with knit and purl; in Tunisian crochet, too, most stitch patterns combine Tunisian knit and Tunisian purl stitches and other techniques. You can work on the stitch pattern using an interchangeable Tunisian crochet hook and any yarn. It's best if you are a basic crocheter or knitter before you move on to Tunisian crochet. Like both knitting and crochet crafts, accessories assist with smooth crafting. You will need essential crochet accessories such as a finishing needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, gauges, etc.

Steps to work on the Tunisian Purl Stitch

Step 1: Make a foundation chain.

For example, use the crochet hook to make 20 chain stitches, plus 1 additional chain for the turning. The chain of Tunisian crochet is similar to the one you make in basic crochet.

Step 2: Make the Foundation Row

Insert your Tunisian hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the second chain from the hook. Next, yarn over - wrap the yarn around your hook from back to front. This too, is the basic yarn over in crochet.

Draw up a loop through the chain. You should now have two loops on your hook.

Continue inserting your Tunisian hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of each chain across the row. Yarn over and draw up a loop through the chain. Make sure to keep the yarn tension even throughout.

When you reach the end of the row, the hook should have a number of loops equal to the number of chains you started with.

Step 3: Work the return pass

Yarn over and draw through one loop on the hook. This step creates the chain stitch at the edge.

Yarn over again and draw through two loops on the hook. Repeat this across the row until you have one loop left on your hook.

Step 4: To create the Tunisian purl stitch

Insert your hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the next stitch, just like you did for the forward pass.

Instead of yarning over from back to front, bring your yarn forward to the front of your work, between your hook and the fabric.

Yarn over from front to back around the hook, and draw up a loop through the stitch.

Repeat this process across the row.

Work the return pass as before, yarning over and drawing through one loop, then yarning over and drawing through two loops until one loop remains on the hook.

Repeat the foundation row and forward pass, alternating between the Tunisian purl stitch.

Finish your work by binding off as desired.

With time and practice, you’ll master the Tunisian purl stitch. It might feel a bit awkward at first, especially if you're used to traditional crochet or knitting, but with patience, you'll get the hang of it!

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