Tunisian crochet, also known as Afghan crochet, is a unique technique that creates a fabric that resembles a mix between knitting and traditional crochet. It’s characterized by its distinct look and texture, often featuring a grid-like pattern. While becoming proficient in Tunisian crochet takes practice, I can certainly provide you with a basic introduction and a simple pattern to get you started. Remember, mastering the technique might take more than 15 minutes, but I’ll give you a concise overview.

Materials You’ll Need:

  1. Tunisian crochet hook (larger than regular crochet hooks)
  2. Yarn of your choice (worsted weight yarn is a good start)
  3. Scissors
  4. Yarn needle

Basic Steps:

  1. Foundation Chain: Start with a foundation chain of your desired length.
  2. Forward Pass: Insert your Tunisian crochet hook into the second chain from the hook (not counting the loop on the hook), yarn over, and pull up a loop. Leave this loop on the hook. Repeat this step for each chain stitch across the row, leaving all the loops on the hook.
  3. Return Pass: Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook. Yarn over and pull through two loops (similar to binding off in knitting) until only one loop remains on the hook. This completes one “return pass.”
  4. Repeat: Steps 2 and 3 constitute one Tunisian crochet stitch. Continue these steps across the row until you have the desired number of stitches.
  5. Next Rows: For subsequent rows, insert your hook under the vertical bars created by the previous row’s stitches. Complete the forward pass by pulling up loops, and then the return pass.
  6. Ending: To end your work, complete a final return pass, cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and pull the tail through the loop on the hook to secure.

Simple Tunisian Crochet Pattern – Dishcloth:

Note: This pattern assumes you have basic knowledge of crochet terms like chain (ch), single crochet (sc), and slip stitch (sl st).

Foundation: Chain 25 (or any multiple of stitches you prefer).

Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, complete the forward pass and return pass using Tunisian simple stitch (Tss) for each stitch across.

Rows 2-10: Repeat Row 1.

Edging: After completing Row 10, do not cut the yarn. Instead, chain 1 and work a round of single crochet evenly around the edges of the cloth, placing 3 single crochets in each corner. Slip stitch to the first single crochet to join.

Finishing: Cut the yarn, weave in any loose ends, and your Tunisian crochet dishcloth is complete!