I’m just going to put it out there – I love Tunisian crochet. I use it a lot and find it a really versatile craft, but I know that it is somewhat unloved among the yarn arts, and that can make it difficult to get started.
I’m here to de-mystify with a super simple pattern and tutorial to get you started in Tunisian crochet… or if you are already a prolific Tunisian crocheter, just to keep your neck warm when it’s chilly. 🙂
The Mathlete cowl is an incredibly easy pattern – more of an adaptable stitch pattern, which will work up in no time into a gorgeous, drapey, squishy, versatile wardrobe staple. I can’t stop making them. I’ve christened the pattern the Mathlete because of the pattern made by the stitches – to my eye, this is a cowl made up of “x”, “>” and “=” symbols.
The Double Mathlete
The Double Mathlete is so called because it is worked in DK weight yarn (double knit, geddit?). I’ve used the wonderful Artesano DK Handpainted Alpaca – using a handpainted or variegated yarn really makes the pattern stand out.
You will need:
- 3 hanks (for a single cowl) or 5 hanks (for a double-wrap cowl) of Artesano DK Handpainted Alpaca – I’ve used Peacock Feather for this one, but try any!)
- 9mm Tunisian Crochet hook – I used a KA Afghan hook.
- A wool needle to weave in your ends
Note – yes you did read that right, a 9mm hook – Tunisian crochet is a very dense fabric if you use the same size hook as you would for regular crochet. A cowl needs some drape to be comfortable around the neck, so the 9mm is actually the perfect size for this yarn, which is on the thicker side of DK.
Chain 32 stitches
Row 1: Work foundation row
To work a Tunisian crochet foundation row, chain the desired number of stitches:
Working into the bumps at the back of the chain, pull up a loop in each chain across. Leave all of your loops on the hook for now.
Once you have pulled up your loops in each chain, have a quick count of the number of loops on your hook – you should have one loop for each chain.
You have just worked your first Tunisian crochet forward pass!
Now you need to work the reverse pass. To do this, first you need to yarn over and pull through one loop on the hook. Then, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook all the way back across your row, until one loop remains on your hook.
Row 2: Tunisian Crossed Stitch
Sometimes it’s best to get the slightly more complicated bits out of the way first, right?
Tunisian crossed stitch is an easy way to add a bit of texture to a piece, and doesn’t take too much getting used to.
It’s time for a quick stitch anatomy lesson.
At the end of your foundation row, you should be left with one loop still on your hook. This is actually the first stitch of your second row. Mind-blowing stuff, right?
If you look at the foundation row above, you will see a series of vertical bars along the row. They will look a bit “gappy” and unfinished. This is because you don’t complete a row of Tunisian crochet until you work the forward pass of the following row.
Because you have your first stitch completed, you don’t need to work into the very edge of your work – that part is done.
To work Tunisian crossed stitch, we are going to make these vertical bars form little crosses all the way across your work. To do this, you need to skip the first and second vertical bars (the first being directly under the loop on your hook – so it is already worked) and pick up the third. Pull up a loop in this stitch.
Now, go back to the second vertical bar and pick up a loop in that stitch.
See how we’ve crossed those vertical bars over to form a little X?
You should have three loops on your hook at this stage, as above – the starting stitch, and the two loops of your first crossed stitch.
Continue in crossed stitch until you reach the penultimate stitch in the row.
To work into the last stitch, insert your hook into the loops at the front and back of the last stitch on the previous row and pull up a loop.
Work the reverse pass as before (yarn over, pull through one loop in the first stitch, then yarn over and pull through two loops all the way back).
Row 3: Tunisian Simple Stitch
Conquered Tunisian crossed stitch? Then you’ll find Tunisian simple stitch very, er, simple.
Instead of crossing your vertical bars, pick up a loop in each of your vertical bars in order until you reach the last stitch.
Work into the front and back of the last stitch as before.
Your simple stitch row should consist of your vertical bars staying vertical the whole way across.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you are almost out of yarn, or until you reach a length you are happy with (I always measure by wrapping it around my neck and seeing how I feel!).
Finish on a row of Crossed Stitch
Making sure your right sides are facing and not twisted, join the two ends of your cowl together using slip stitches.
When you do this, make sure you are catching both sides in the following way:
- The starting chain – put hook where you pulled up each vertical loop in the first row.
- The last row – pick up the vertical bars as if you were working the next row.
Fasten off and weave in ends using wool needle.
Wear with pride!
(Told you it was easy!)
The Mega Mathlete
The Mega Mathlete is worked in Aran weight yarn with a giant 15.75mm hook. Using this giant hook means the Mega Mathlete works up in no time – you’ll have a finished cowl within a few hours.
You will need:
- 1 hank of Artesano Aran for a single wrap, 2 hanks for a double – I’ve used Opal (because it’s amazing and no picture will ever do it justice), but pick any colour you like!
- 15.75mm Tunisian Crochet hook – I’ve used one by Chiaogoo which I picked up at Unravel 2015.
- A wool needle to weave in your ends.
Chain 20 stitches
Row 1: work foundation row
See tutorial above for foundation row achat viagra au qu.
Row 2: Tunisian Crossed Stitch
See tutorial above for Tunisian Crossed stitch.
Row 3: Tunisian Simple Stitch
See tutorial above for Tunisian Simple stitch.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you are almost out of yarn, or until you reach a length you are happy with (I always measure by wrapping it around my neck and seeing how I feel!).
Finish on a row of Crossed Stitch
Making sure your right sides are facing and not twisted, join the two ends of your cowl together using slip stitches.
When you do this, make sure you are catching both sides in the way described above
Fasten off and weave in ends using wool needle.
The Skinny Mathlete
I’ve used 4 ply yarn for the Skinny Mathlete to make a lightweight cowl which is perfect for a cool summer evening. I’ve used Artesano Handpainted 4ply in Mountain Falls for this cowl. It’s gorgeous!
You will need:
- 2 hanks (for a single wrap) or 3 hanks (for a double wrap) of Artesano Handpainted 4ply
- A 6.5mm Tunisian Crochet hook – I used a Kinki Amibari flex hook.
- A wool needle to weave in your ends.
Chain 40 stitches
Row 1: work foundation row
See tutorial above for foundation row.
Row 2: Tunisian Crossed Stitch
See tutorial above for Tunisian Crossed stitch.
Row 3: Tunisian Simple Stitch
See tutorial above for Tunisian Simple stitch.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you are almost out of yarn, or until you reach a length you are happy with (I always measure by wrapping it around my neck and seeing how I feel!).
Finish on a row of Crossed Stitch
Making sure your right sides are facing and not twisted, join the two ends of your cowl together using slip stitches.
When you do this, make sure you are catching both sides in the way shown above.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
And there you have it! I love these cowls – they’re the perfect quick and easy Tunisian crochet project, with no shaping and no counting (after your chain row anyway…). The finished look really makes the yarn the star of the show, which makes these the perfect project to use up that “too special to use” yarn you have in your stash… or is that just me?
Enjoy!
Elsie Pop xx
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