Tunisian Crochet Dishcloths

Learn how simple Tunisian crochet can be with this pattern and tutorial for Tunisian Crochet Dishcloths. Once you get past the first few rows, you will be moving along effortlessly.

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Tunisian Crochet is a Very Easy Technique with Lovely Results

It kind of feels a bit like you are knitting because of adding the loops onto the crochet hook, yet at the same time, you are only using one crochet hook to achieve these results. The stitch is a close weave and is great for dishcloths, spa washcloths, pot holders, pillows, cowls, baby washcloth, and much more.

Tunisian Simple Stitch

This is the most basic stitch to start with if you want to learn how to crochet this unique, yet easy stitch pattern. Each row is completed using two passes, working from the right to the left, then left to the right again. (That is if you are a right hand crocheter, If you are a left hand crocheter, it would be opposite). Additionally, your work is never turned with this simple stitch.

Front Side of Tunisian Stitch

Notice how this forms a close knit looking crochet stitch? I love the easy texture that this provides. Some folks may not understand when I say “it feels wonderful”; however, I am betting that you understand if you work with your hands and yarn. Sometimes, there is a certain feel to a crochet pattern that is just lovely. This, to me is one of those stitches.

Back Side of Tunisian Simple Stitch

Notice how there is a weaved look to the backside of the work. This may look difficult; however, it is not as hard as you may think. It is a unique type of fabric that is formed with this crochet method.

Beautiful Handmade Bridal Shower Gifts for Guests

The stack of handmade crochet dishcloths below is just a small sample of how many of these I made for my daughter’s bridal shower. There were quite a few people attending and I wanted to make sure that people went home with something nice to remember our wonderful time together. As a thank you to the special people in our lives that attended, each person got a washcloth and full-size bottle of hand lotion. I made over 100 of these…

Good Memories for All

We did have other party and prize gifts for those fun bridal shower games that we played. My son-in-law attended the shower too, so it was extra fun involving him in the activities. To top that off, both fathers and a handful of other husbands that drove their wives to the event attended too. All I can say is so much fun! This was the first bridal shower for all of the men. Of course, we sat them all at the same table. It just added a whole different level of entertainment. Good memories.

Stopping the Curl of the Stitch

Back onto the Tunisian dishcloths. The stack shown has a single crochet border around each one. This is done because the Tunisian crochet tends to curl. However, rather than having to block each one, I added this crochet border and it not only took care of the problem, it finishes off the look of the pattern nicely.

Video Tutorials of Tunisian Simple Stitch

If you prefer learning from a video, I have links for both a left hand and right hand crochet tutorial of the Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Tunisian Crochet Lesson

Foundational Row

Begin with the slip knot on the hook

Make a chain to your desired length.

Starting from 2nd ch from hook, insert hook into the back loop of your chain, yarn over, pull up loop and keep on hook.

Continue this way across until the end; keeping all loops on the hook.

I made each dishcloth 20 stitches wide. There are 20 stitches on the hook. Make sure to count your stitches on your hook when you get to the end of each row. That helped me know that I did not miss a stitch.

Below is a bit more of a close-up of the photo above. I am working in the back loop all the way across.

Now, it is time for the second part of the row; also known as the return pass for this row.

Return Pass

Yarn over and pull through one loop (the first stitch on the hook)

Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat across to the end.

The row is almost complete at this point. When there is one loop left on the hook, you are at the end of the row.

To start the next row and every row after this:

Start with the forward pass.

Slide the hook through the 2nd vertical bar from the previous row, yarn over and pull the loop through. There are now two loops on the hook. Continue to repeat this across to the last stitch.

At the end of the row, begin the return pas.

Continue alternating between the forward and return pass for each row until your dishcloth is the desired length. I did mine for 24 rows.

Binding Off After the Last Row

When the last row has been completed and there is one loop left on the hook, it is time to bind off your Tunisian Crochet.

Step 1

Insert the hook in the first bar.

Step 2

Yarn over and bring the yarn under the bar and through the loop on the hook. (this completes a slip stitch).

Step 3 to the end of the row

Continue to slip stitch under each bar until your each the end with one loop left on the hook. Your Tunisian Crochet is bound off and you are ready to add on your crochet border or pull the yarn through the last lop and weave in your yarn.

Hints to Easy Tunisian Simple Stitch Success

Make sure to count the number of loops on your crochet hook at the end of each row. This will save time and stress from having to redo a row because of a missed stitch.

Tunisian crochet is known for having a curl at one if of the work. Some have had good success with blocking the finished product. Others, like myself have found adding a simple border can stop the curl.

The Tunisian crochet stitches can become a bit tight and hard to get a crochet hook through for some crocheters. If you are one that tends to crochet a bit tighter,go up a crochet hook size and try and crochet a bit looser and see if that helps.

Counting rows. If you look on the back side of the work, the side that has the weaved look to it, you will notice that there are small bars across. Each row of vertical bars represents one row.

Tunisian Crochet Hooks

These hook can come in many styles and sizes. You may have to try a few to get something that you like the feel and length of for your crochet projects.

If you are working on a crochet washcloth like I did, This is a nice set to start out with.

If you plan on working on a larger crochet Tunisian project, there are crochet hooks that have an interchangeable extension hook.

Directions: Tunisian Crochet Dishcloths

Size

Approximately 5 1/2 inches wide X 7 inches long without border. Add 3/4 of an inch all the way around if you add the 2 rounds of SC border.

Increase or decrease the width by increasing or decreasing the beginning chain by 1. Increase or decrease the length by increasing or decreasing the rows.

Gauge

14 Single Crochet stitches per 4 inches.

Materials

1 ball of Peaches & Cream cotton yarn. Here is a Sugar & Creme Cotton Yarn

5.0 mm Tunisian Crochet Hook

5.0 mm Crochet Hook for crocheting the border

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Abbreviations

CH = Chain

YO = Yarn Over

SC = Single Crochet

SL ST = Slip Stitch

ST = Stitch

Directions:

CH 20

Row 1 – 24

Forward Pass

Starting from 2nd ch from hook, insert hook into the back loop of your chain, yarn over, pull up loop and keep on hook. Continue this way across until the end; keeping all loops on the hook.

Return Pass

Yarn over and pull through one loop (the first stitch on the hook). Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat across to the end. When there is one loop left on the hook, you are at the end of the row.

Finishing

Bind off last row. Weave in yarn ends and cut off excess.

Completed Dishcloth Without Crochet Border

Here is a dishcloth complete without the border. As you can see, there is not too much curl on this one.

Here is a Stack of Washcloths Waiting for Their Crochet Border.

Single Crochet Border

Change back to your crochet hook size 5.0 mm

Round 1

Slip stitch onto the crochet hook, insert into the top two loops of a stitch on one of the sides or corner. (does not matter where you start). Yarn Over, Pull through the slip stitch. Tighten the slip stitch. Complete a SC in each ST around with 3 SC in each corner ST. End with a SL ST into the first SC.

Round 2

CH 1, Complete a SC in each ST around with 3 SC in each corner ST. End with a SL ST into the first CH.

Finishing

Weave in yarn ends and cut off excess yarn.

Tunisian Simple Stitch Video Tutorials

Left hand Tunisian Simple Stitch Tutorial

Right Hand Tunisian Simple Stitch Tutorial

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I hope that you liked this pattern. If you are looking for more ideas for crocheted projects, here are a few others you may enjoy.