Have you ever noticed how some fiber artists tend to be focused only on their specific craft? There are many people who will only knit or only crochet or only spin – whatever their passion. I cannot help but think that they are missing out on a lot of enjoyment. While the favored way to work with yarns is with knitting needles or crochet hooks more creative minds are exploring weaving, punch needle art and so much more.
Yet, it's interesting to read that seems to be changing as more and more people are exploring multiple types of fiber work and seeing it for what it is: A wonderful world of creative expression. Interestingly, one of the biggest upticks has come in the 18-35 age group. Industry analysts see it as indicative of the young demographic’s inclination towards creative DIY activities, as well as their appreciation for the expressiveness and relaxation that activities like knitting or crochet provide.
The Art of Crochet
Let’s take the art of crochet as an example. The traditional granny square, done with a simple crochet hook is what many people think of when it comes to crocheting. The fact is that there are many other interesting types of crochet - up to 30 by some counts. If you have a spare hour or two, google the subject and you will be pleasantly surprised by what you learn. From crocheting a sweater to combining with Botties shoe soles for DIY footwear, there’s a wide world waiting to be explored.
There’s something for everyone, from those who enjoy the tiny fun of Amigurumi Crochet (refer to our beginner’s guide to Amigurumi stitches) to those who love the expansive beauty of Tunisian Crochet, which many consider a sort of hybrid of knitting and crochet.
With Fall and Halloween a few weeks away, followed by the holiday season, Amigurumi is ideal for cute home decor (think of gorgeous pumpkins, spooky decorations, or even Christmas stars and ornaments).
And, for Tunisian Crochet, the hybrid craft opens up endless possibilities. A quick go-through of our previous guide on Tunisian Crochet vs Single Ended crochet will help you explore it in detail.
Tunisian Crochet - A Unique Hybrid Craft
The history of Tunisian crochet is obscure. Some historians believe it was named “Tunisian” by the French, but even that’s not certain. Whatever the case, by the mid-1800’s it was popular in Europe, especially in the UK. There it was sometimes referred to as “Royal Princess Knitting” as a result of Queen Victoria’s interest in it.
What is Tunisian Crochet?
Tunisian crochet creates a dense and textured fabric that you can whip up at about twice the speed of knitted fabrics — perfect for those big winter blankets and throws.
Unlike standard crochet, where each stitch is worked and finished as you go, with Tunisian crochet, multiple stitches are picked up in one direction and kept on the hook. This is called the forward pass. The row is “completed “ when worked in the opposite direction, called the return pass.
Tunisian Crochet Hooks for Tunisian Craft
A specialized hook is used to create Tunisian projects. There are multiple options. Generally for Tunisian crochet, longer hooks are needed to accommodate the stitches. You can work with a long single-ended type crochet hook with a hook on one end and a stopper on another. Or, work with interchangeable Tunisian crochet hooks that are basically single-ended hooks with the option of interchangeable cables of different lengths. A stopper is added at the end of the cable while working on the Tunisian crochet stitches. Our guide on choosing Tunisian crochet hooks fro beginners will walk you through to make the right choice.
The ones pictured here show interchangeable Tunisian hooks. This type is easy to work with since it has a flexible cable attached to one end which allows for multiple stitches to be worked per row/pass.
Starting with the Basics of Tunisian Crochet Craft
There are scads of videos online that will show you the basics in regard to starting and learning the art of Tunisian Crochet. Make no mistake, it is true textile art. Take a look at some of these free patterns to see what we mean.
Many fiber trends go up and down in terms of popularity. Currently, Tunisian Crochet is enjoying a resurgence of interest. It’s not hard to understand why. It works up relatively quickly and if using a good weight yarn, like this worsted, aptly named “Bella”, the result is a cushy, dense fabric that is warm and cozy – a perfect gift or a decorating project for your own home. Even paired with versatile DK weight such as Viva series from Symfonie or Terra, you can still go ahead and enjoy the yarn crafting.
This Tunisian Crochet Throw is ideal for the well-loved blanket that can be parked at the end of the couch or bed. Imagine this in your favorite colors, in a cozy pure wool yarn. Be sure to take a look at Bella and see a whole range of color ideas. Also, check out these Tunisian Crochet Kits – It’s the smartest way to ensure that you have the exact size needed for the projects you are sure to undertake once you discover the fun of this popular craft.
