Tunisian Full Stitch Free Tutorial

What exactly is the Tunisian Full Stitch?

The Tunisian Full Stitch is a type of Tunisian crochet stitch that’s worked by inserting your hook between the vertical bars—not into them, like many other Tunisian stitches. This little tweak gives the fabric a more open, almost zigzag texture compared to the tighter grid of a simple stitch.

It’s sometimes compared to a mesh or basket weave, but without the gaps. It’s a super satisfying stitch to work once you get the rhythm down and it’s as beginner friendly as the Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Why You’ll Love the Tunisian Full Stitch

• Beginner-friendly – If you know the basics of Tunisian crochet, you can totally do this.
• Super texture – The ridged, almost woven look adds a lot of character to your project.
• Great for colorwork – The spacing between stitches makes it ideal for variegated or self-striping yarns.
  
  

Tips for Crocheting the Tunisian Full Stitch

1. Use the Right Tunisian Hook

• Since the Tunisian Full Stitch creates a dense fabric, you’ll want to use a Tunisian crochet hook that is large enough to compensate. Be sure to pick a hook with a size that at least two sizes larger than the yarn label suggests. This will help maintain an even tension and ensure your fabric isn’t too tight or too loose.

2. Maintain Even Tension

• Tension is key in any Tunisian stitch, but especially with the Full Stitch keeping an even tension will help keep the project even. If you find the fabric getting too tight, consider going up a hook size or relaxing your tension slightly.

3. Watch for alternating stitches

• The Tunisian Full Stitch is worked into the spaces between stitches and each row’s second stitch placement is alternated, so it’s important to watch for this change, so you don’t drop stitches and end up with a misshapen piece.

5. Pay Attention to the Return Pass

• The return pass (where you work the loops off the hook) is just as important as the forward pass. Make sure you don’t accidentally skip any loops while working the return pass and if you are working a large project, keep the return pass tension consistent to avoid any pulling or unevenness in your fabric.

9. Check Your Stitch Count Regularly

A small mistake in the stitch count can affect the entire pattern, so checking as you go can save you time in the long run.

Since the Honeycomb Stitch involves alternating between two different stitches, it’s easy to lose track of your stitch count. Always double-check that you have the correct number of stitches on your hook, especially after the purl stitches.

How to Change Colors with the Tunisian Full Stitch

Want to level it up with color changes? It’s super easy:

• Change colors during the return pass for a clean edge.
• Or alternate colors every row to create a striped effect.
• You can even use it with variegated yarn for a watercolor look—it really shines in self-striping yarn!
  
  

What materials are needed for the afghan square?

These afghan squares are for the 2025 New Year New Stitch CAL. We will assemble them into a blanket at the end of the year and the Tunisian Full Stitch is the August Stitch. For this afghan square I used 100% Acrylic worsted weight yarn and a K/10.5/6.50mm Tunisian Crochet Hook, but any fiber can be used and you can easily change the yarn weight and hook size combo since this is an easy stitch to adjust!

Materials

Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)

• 6” = .75oz/40yds
• 12” = 3oz/160yds
• 15” = 4.6oz/246yds

K/10.5/6.50mm Tunisian Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Gauge

13.5 sts x 15 rows = 4”

Finished Measurements

Block to 6”(12”,15”)

Stitch Guide

BO = See Special Stitches

ch = chain

TFS = See Special Stitches

TSS = 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 any number; the instructions are written for a beginning ch-19 for a 6” square, ch-38 for a 12” square, and ch-48 for a 15” square.
• To work a gauge swatch, chain 14 then work pattern below for 15 total rows. 
• Tutorial photos and stitch chart are included in the PDF version.
  
  
  

Special Stitches

Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) = Insert hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of stitch, yarn over, pull back under vertical bar.

Tunisian Full Stitch (TFS) = Insert hook from front to back in space between stitches, yarn over, pull through to front.

TSS Bind Off (Bind Off) = Insert hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of stitch, yarn over, pull 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 19(38,48), 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], TFS in space between 1st st and 1st vertical bar, TFS in space between vertical bars across, skip last space, TSS in last st (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

R3. 

Forward Pass: [1st loop on hook counts as 1st st], skip 1st vertical bar: TFS in space between 1st and 2nd vertical bars, TFS in space between vertical bars across, TFS in last space; 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 R2-3 (Fwd & Rtn Pass) until fabric measures 5 ¾ – 6” (11 ¾ – 12”, 14 ¾ – 15”)

R5. Bind off; Fasten.

Finishing

• Block to 6” x 6” (12” x 12”, 15” x 15”) as needed.
• Hide all strings.
  
  
  

Happy Tunisian Crocheting!