Tunisian Rib Stitch – Free Tunisian Crochet Stitch Tutorial
The Tunisian Rib Stitch (TRS) is a textured crochet stitch that mimics the look of knitted ribbing. It’s made using the Tunisian crochet technique, which involves working stitches onto a long hook (or a regular hook with a cable extension), creating rows that are picked up and then worked off the hook, similar to how you would in knitting.
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This is the April Stitch for the 2025 New Year New Stitch Crochet Along!
Tunisian crochet is worked in two steps called ‘forward pass’ and ‘return pass’ for each row. This creates a thick, structured fabric that can resemble knitting, but is created entirely with crochet techniques.
Tunisian crochet is worked using special crochet hooks, called Tunisian Crochet Hooks, and much like knitting, you can get straight Tunisian hooks or circular Tunisian hooks. However, smaller projects, like 6″ afghan squares, can be worked on a traditional crochet hook! It just needs to be a plain hook with no special handle or grip.
The Tunisian Rib Stitch, abbreviated as TRS, is a beginner skill level Tunisian Crochet Stitch, because it alternates the Tunisian Knit Stitch and Tunisian Purl Stitch.
The Tunisian Rib Stitch is arguably one of the most important Tunisian crochet stitches to learn, because it can be customized in several ways, giving it many different looks. While this tutorial is specifically written for a 2X2 ribbing, you can adjust this to fit your needs! 1×1 ribbing looks great on projects edges, 3×1 ribbing is great as a main stitch.
Ribbing looks great on many projects, like hats, mittens, sweaters, and of course, blankets. You can take a peek at traditional crochet projects and knit projects a like and you’ll find that most use some form of ribbing!
Bonus: This stitch doesn’t have the traditional “tunisian curl”! So you can easily use it for flat projects without having to worry about finding all the ways to combat the curl!
The rule of thumb with Tunisian crochet is choosing a hook that is two sizes larger than what is listed on the yarn label.
The Tunisian Curl can be a real pain, especially in flat projects, so choosing the right hook is very important. For example, if you choose a worsted weight yarn that is labeled for use with an I/9/5.50mm crochet hook, then you want to use a K/10.5/6.50mm Tunisian crochet hook or bigger. It’s important for making sure the project doesn’t become too stiff and also to help avoid curling.
Choosing the right weight yarn for your Tunisian crochet project type is also important! For instance, if you want to make a sweater, it may be best to choose a lighter weight yarn like sport weight, because Tunisian crochet stitches do create a dense fabric.
Speaking of matching the right hook to yarn, sport weight yarn typically calls for an E/4/3.50mm crochet hook, so you would use a G/6/4.00mm crochet hook at minimum or an H/8/5.00mm crochet hook. This will make the fabric less dense and give it more drape.
Tunisian Rib Stitch Square Crochet Pattern
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What’s great about the Tunisian Rib Stitch?
The Tunisian Rib Stitch (TRS) is great because it adds a beautiful finished edge to any project, while also being great as a main stitch, adding textured surface to your fabric.
What materials are needed for the Tunisian Rib Stitch afghan square?
If you’re following along with the 2025 New Year New Stitch CAL, we’re making afghan squares to assemble into a blanket at the end of the year. The Tunisian Rib Stitch is the April Stitch. For this afghan square you will need worsted weight yarn and a K/10.5/6.50mm Tunisian Crochet Hook. I am using 100% acrylic yarn and since I’m making 6″ squares, I am also able to use a traditional crochet hook.
Let’s learn the Tunisian Knit Stitch:
Materials
Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)
- 6” = .6oz/35yds
- 12” = 2.7oz/145yds
- 15” = 4.3oz/230yds
Gauge
15 sts x 13 rows = 4”
Finished Measurements
Block to 6”(12”,15”)
Stitch Guide
ch = chain
TKS = See Special Stitches
TPS = See Special Stitches
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
YO = yarn over
Skill Level
Easy
PATTERN WRITTEN IN U.S. TERMS
Pattern Notes
- This square is worked from bottom to top.
- Where asterisks appear, repeat the instructions between them.
- This pattern is worked in multiples of 4 + 2; the instructions are written for a beginning ch-22 for a 6” square, ch-46 for a 12” square, and ch-54 for a 15” square.
- To work a gauge swatch, chain 18 then work pattern below for 13 total rows.
Special Stitches
Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS) = Insert hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bars of the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn back between vertical bars to the front.
Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS) = Bring yarn to front of project and insert hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the stitch, then bring yarn tail back up and behind the hook, yarn over, pull yarn through vertical bar.
Bind Off (BO) = Insert hook from right to left under the front vertical bars of the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn back under vertical bar and through the loop on the hook (i.e. slip stitch).
Instructions
R1.
Forward Pass: Working in the back bump of the chain across:
Ch 22(46,54), insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yarn over, draw up a loop, *insert hook in next ch, yarn over, draw up a loop* across
Return Pass: Yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, *YO, pull through 2 loops on hook* across until one loop remains
R2.
Forward Pass: 1st loop on hook counts as 1st st, so skip 1st vertical bar: 1 TKS, 2 TPS, *2 TKS, 2 TPS* across to last two stitches, 1 TKS in 2nd to last stitch, for last stitch place hook under both front and back vertical bars, YO, pull through both loops
Return Pass: Yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, *YO, pull through 2 loops on hook* across until one loop remains
Repeat R2 (Fwd & Rtn Pass) until fabric measures 5 ¾ – 6” (11 ¾ – 12”, 14 ¾ – 15”)
R3. Bind off.
Foundation Row:
Tunisian Knit Stitch:
Tunisian Purl Stitch:
Finishing
- Block to 6” x 6” (12” x 12”, 15” x 15”) as needed.
- Hide all strings.
And that’s how you work the Tunisian Rib Stitch!
Happy Tunisian Crocheting!
Written pattern and photographs © 2025 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. All rights reserved.
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