How to Crochet a Tunisian Blanket Square
Hey there, friends! I’ve got something a little different for you today. It’s still crochet, but with a little twist. We’re doing tunisian crochet! Today’s project is just a piece of a larger collaborative blanket project (more about that below!). But whether you’re new to tunisian crochet or have lots of experience, I think you’re going to enjoy working on the Chunky Mesh Blanket Square.
The following is a free pattern available for use on my website. If you would like to purchase a detailed, ad-free PDF version of this pattern, please visit my Ravelry shop. All rights reserved.
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About the Blanket
In 2020, Arunima of Knitter Knotter started a Tunisian crochet Blanket Crochet-a-Long. She’s does a lot of tunisian crochet designs and worked the blanket like a stitch sampler to help her audience learn some new stitches. Since it was such a success, she relaunched the project again this year inviting several designers to contribute their own squares to the blanket. The 2021 Tunisian Blanket CAL features 24 unique and fun squares from a variety of different designers.
Each square of this blanket is 12″x12″ and features at least one tunisian crochet stitch. All the designers used an 8mm crochet hook and worsted weight yarn so your hook and yarn can be consistent throughout the blanket. Since my square is debuting towards the end of the CAL, you already have access to almost all the squares! You can click the link below to head to Knitter Knotter blog page for links to each square and more info on the project. And check out the hashtag #KnitterKnotterTunisianBlanketCAL2021 on Instagram to see some other projects!
About the Chunky Mesh Square
I’m fairly new to designing tunisian crochet patterns myself. My first try at tunisian crochet was actually on one of Arunima’s patterns a few years ago. Since then, I’ve learned a few stitches and made a few more items. I still prefer regular crochet, but when offered the opportunity to try designing a square for this project, I was definitely on board!
My goal heading into this square to was to pick a stitch that was full of texture but was also simple and meditative. We’re getting near the end of this blanket project and the busy holiday season is just around the corner. I wanted this square to feel like a nice break.
The stitch I decided to go with is called the Chunky Mesh stitch. And once you get going, I think you’ll agree that it earns its name. This stitch gives you such a nice squishy texture. I’d consider it a beginner friendly pattern, since it uses the same two stitches throughout. And it works up fairly quickly. I loved the stitch so much that I have put it in my line-up for a full-sized blanket design, so hopefully you’ll be seeing that in the future.
What You’ll Need
Tunisian Crochet Hooks
Tunisian crochet uses slightly different hooks than standard crochet. You may have seen these hooks before. They usually look like extra long crochet hooks with a flat stopper on one end OR a crochet hook with a long cord and stopper. You’ll need a hook like this because you’ll be picking up stitches across the row and keeping them all on your hook for the “return pass”. Some tunisian crochet patterns also call for double ended hooks, meaning there’s a hook at each end connected with a cord. You won’t need this for my pattern though, just a short cord and stopper will do.
As I mentioned before we all used an 8mm tunisian crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. My tunisian crochet hooks are Knitters Pride Dreamz. I bought the interchangeable set vs the individual hooks to save a little money in the long run. And I opted for the lower priced set (Dreamz), mostly because they don’t get as much use as some of my other crochet hooks.
Some other great interchangeable hooks to consider are Clover or Denise.
The Yarn
In making this tunisian blanket square, we were tasked with designing it with worsted weight yarn. I went stash-diving for worsted weight, and I came up with Brava Worsted from WeCrochet. I always seem to few skeins of this yarn on hand at any given time, so it was an obvious choice for me. I like Brava Worsted because its soft, comes in lots of colors, and its budget-friendly. Budget-friendly is always a factor when you’re looking at a large project like a blanket. You can click the button below to check out WeCrochet selection of Brava Worsted yarn.
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About the Stitches
This tunisian blanket square uses two common tunisian crochet stitches: tunisian double crochet (Tdc) and tunisian purl stitch (Tps). For you seasoned tunisian crocheters, these stitches are probably already in your repertoire and you can just skip right down to the pattern. But if you’re a beginner, I thought the best way to help you through this blanket square was with some video tutorials. Check them out below!
Let’s Get Started!
Materials Needed
130 yds of Brava Worsted (or comparable worsted weight yarn)
Size L (8.0mm) tunisian crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Stitch Marker
Scissors
Stitches Used
Ch – Chain
TDC – Tunisian Double Crochet
TPS – Tunisian Purl Stitch
LS – Last Stitch
RetP – Return Pass
Skill Level
Experienced Beginner
Gauge
14 st x 8 rows = 4” Square
Alternating TDC and TPS.
Finished Measurements
Blanket Square: 12” x 12”
Notes
- This pattern is worked flat and each row is completed with a standard return pass.
- You can customize the size of your square by increasing or decreasing the foundation chain. The foundation chain can be in any multiple as long as the stitches alternate when working the main pattern.
Special Stitches/Techniques
Tunisian Double Crochet: Yarn over and insert hook under the front vertical bar and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops. Leave remaining loop on hook.
Tunisian Purl Stitch: Bring yarn forward and wrap around the front of the hook. Insert hook under front vertical bar. Bring yarn back to the front and then back to the back of the work. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
Last Stitch: Insert the hook under the two vertical bars of the last stitch in the previous row. Pull up a loop.
Return Pass: Chain 1 to start. Yarn over and pull through two loops. Continuing to yarn over and pull through two loops until you have reached the beginning of the row and only one loop remains on your hook.
Slip Stitch Bind Off: Insert hook under front vertical bar (two loops on hook), yarn over then pull through both loops. Repeat in each stitch across. Tie off and weave ends.
PATTERN
Using 8.0mm (L) hook.
Row 1: Ch 43. Pull up a loop in second chain from hook and each chain across. RetP. (43)
Row 2: *TDC 1, TPS 1.* Repeat from * to * across. LS. RetP. (43)
Row 3: *TPS 1, TDC 1.* Repeat from * to * across. LS. RetP. (43)
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until work measures 12” (approx 22 rows total). Bind off using a Slip Stitch Bind Off. Block to 12” square.
Final Thoughts
I just wanted to wrap up by saying thanks for joining in the CAL! I hope you enjoy making this square and keep an eye out for a full size blanket pattern for this one sometime next year. I’d love to see some of your finished squares so be sure to tag me on Instagram and Facebook at @craftingforweeks.
Want to check out some more blanket squares? How about the Great Star Square!
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
