No, I'm not kidding. The Murphinator went to the groomer and the Girlchild is still abed, since she went out with her high school friends last night and got home at 3 (I know it was 3 because the dog barked at her). So this morning I watched, "Love, Actually" - which must be on the list of mandatory Christmas movies from now on - and taught myself the basics of Tunisian crochet. Oh my, this is fun! I used an old skein of Bartlett Yarn worsted I had sitting around - I am not a big fan of this yarn, it's too coarse and heavy for my taste, but since the only Tunisian hook I own is a size 10, I figured the heavier yarn would be easier. My textbook was Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet.
Here's the Simple Stitch:
And here is the Knit Stitch, which really does turn out like knitted stockinette, but is perhaps even faster and easier:
Tunisian crochet is very quick and easy, even for a rank beginner like me. I can see making an afghan this way with much less stress - I guess that's why they call the simple stitch the "afghan stitch" in many patterns. It also lends itself to cross-stitched designs, because the fabric forms such a nice fine grid. So I am not a fan of the yarn, but I can see becoming a Tunisian crochet addict. The simple stitch does not have much stretch, and I'm thinking it would be great as a crocheted bag. The wheels are turning....
Catherine -
ReplyDeleteI taught myself the Tunisian stitch from the Encyclopedia of Stiches (by Mildred Ryan). It is so much easier than regular knitting or crochet.
I've done several baby blankets using Lily's Sugarbabies (I think) - a nice cotton that, unfortunately, becomes quite heavy and strains the wrist! I've never tried wool.
My sister claims that I don't crochet correctly since I learned this stitch before regular crochet. Apparently I hold the needle wrong. However, it hasn't screwed up my knitting.
There is a pattern booklet out that has something like 50 variations of the stitch. I have it but haven't yet tried any of the projects. I'll look thru my stuff and see if I can find the title for you.
It's so funny, because I've been doing regular crochet since I was 5 and knitting since maybe, I don't know, 7? and I'd never tried Tunisian crochet, even though one of my great aunts is the queen of afghan stitch. I always thought it must be "harder" - no, actually, now that I think of it, my mother told me it must be harder. Sheesh. It's so easy and so much fun, I will be cranking out charity baby blankies in this from now on!
ReplyDeleteMy 9 year-old daughter is struggling with knitting; possibly because it takes so long for her to finish anything and she is rarely pleased with the results. I wonder if this would be a way for her to have more pleasant fiber experiences.
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