Crochet has undergone many transformations throughout the centuries, but the basic stitch has remained the same in both single-ended and Tunisian or Afghan crochet.
Tunisian crochet originates in North Africa and involves using long crochet hooks and sometimes a cord to create dense and warm fabrics. In 19th-century Europe, single-ended crochet emerged later and was used to craft delicate lace designs using a simpler hook.
Today, crochet is a versatile craft used to make everything from clothing and accessories to home decor and toys. While single-ended and Tunisian crochet shares the single crochet stitch, they are crafted differently and have a unique look.
For beginners, learning the single crochet stitch is an excellent starting point for your crocheting journey. You can create cozy shawls, cute stuffed animals, and more with a single-ended or Tunisian crochet hook and some yarn.
How to Create a Single Crochet with a Single-Ended Crochet Hook
To begin your single crochet project, you'll need to make a slip knot on your crochet hook.
Once you have your slip knot on the hook, you can create a chain. This will be the foundation for your single crochet stitches.
- Hold the hook in your dominant hand, with the slip knot on the end.
- With the working end of the yarn, wrap it over the hook from back to front.
- Use the hook to pull the wrapped yarn through the slip knot on the hook. This creates your first chain stitch.
- Repeat the process, wrapping the yarn over the hook and pulling it through the previous loop on the hook to create additional chain stitches until your chain has reached the desired length.
To start your single crochet stitches, you'll need to insert the hook into the second chain stitch from the hook, as the first chain is considered the turning chain and will form the edge of your work and the beginning of each row.
Step 1: Insert the hook under the top two loops of the chain stitch, going from front to back.
Make sure the hook is positioned under both loops to work through them.
Step 2: Once you've inserted the hook into the stitch, you'll need to yarn over. With the working end of the yarn, wrap it over the hook from back to front.
Step 3: After you've yarned over, use the hook to pull the wrapped yarn through the stitch so that there are two loops on your hook.
Step 4: Now you'll need to yarn over again to complete the stitch
Step 5: Pull the yarn through both loops on the hook to complete the single crochet stitch.
To continue your single crochet project, insert the hook into the next stitch under both loops. Then repeat the above process until you reach the end of the row or the desired length of your project. And that's it! Once you've mastered this basic stitch, you can move on to more advanced crochet stitches and patterns. They all work similarly.
Single Crochet in Tunisian Crochet
Tunisian crochet, also known as afghan crochet or Tricot crochet, is a technique that uses a long crochet hook with a stopper at one end and a knob or hook at the other end. The stitches in Tunisian crochet are created by picking up loops on the forward pass and then working them off on the return pass.
To single crochet in Tunisian crochet, you work a slightly different technique than traditional single crochet. Here, the single crochet stitch is created by inserting the hook under a vertical bar instead of the top loops of a stitch, as in traditional crochet. This gives the Tunisian crochet fabric a unique texture and drape, similar to knitted fabric, but quite dense.
Step 1: To begin, create a foundation row, as you would in single-ended crochet.
Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook, and pull up a loop. Keep this loop on the hook.
Step 2: Insert the hook into the next chain, and pull up a loop. Keep this loop on the hook.
Repeat this process, inserting the hook into each chain stitch and pulling up a loop, until you have a loop on the hook for each chain stitch in your foundation row. You have now completed your first forward pass.
Step 3: For your return pass, you'll need to yarn over by wrapping it over the hook from back to front. It is the same procedure as with a single-crochet hook.
Step 4: Now insert the hook into the next stitch: Insert your Tunisian crochet hook under the next vertical bar, which is the bar that runs up and down between the stitches.
Step 5: Yarn over and pull the wrapped yarn through the stitch so there are two loops on your hook.
Step 6: Now that you have two loops on your hook, yarn over again and pull the yarn through both loops to complete the single crochet stitch.
To continue your single crochet row, repeat steps 3-6, inserting the hook into each vertical bar and completing a single crochet stitch in each stitch.
Once you reach the end of the row, you can turn your work and begin the next row. Insert your hook into the first vertical bar of your previous row to create the first loop of your second forward pass, and repeat above steps 1 and 2.
Now that you know how to craft a single crochet stitch in single-ended and Tunisian crochet, why not try? If you practice these techniques, you will master the single crochet stitch in no time. And once you have learned this fundamental stitch, a new world of fascinating ideas and designs will open up. What will be your next crochet project?
