Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch Free Tutorial

What exactly is the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch?

The Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch is characterized by its raised, geometric pattern that gives your projects a three-dimensional, honeycomb-like texture.

This stitch is also known as the Tire Tread Stitch, and as you can see, it also bears a resemblance to the pattern left behind by tires.

The beautiful stitch happens when you alternate two beginner friendly stitches: Tunisian Simple Stitch and Tunisian Purl Stitch.

Why You’ll Love the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch

• No pesky curl – This stitch stays nice and flat!
• Beautiful texture – Instantly elevates any project.
• Solid or Stripes – Shows off stitch definition beautifully.
• Relaxing – Simple stitch and row repeats.
  
  

Tips for Crocheting the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch

1. Use the Right Tunisian Hook

• Since the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch creates a dense fabric, you’ll want to use a Tunisian crochet hook that is long enough to hold all the loops. If your project is large, consider using a double-ended hook or one with a cable to hold the loops without overcrowding.
• Be sure to pick a hook with a size that suits the yarn you’re using. 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 Honeycomb Stitch. The stitch pattern involves alternating between Tunisian Simple Stitches (TSS) and Tunisian Purl Stitches (TPS), so keeping your tension even throughout your forward pass will help the honeycomb pattern stay neat.
• If you find the fabric getting too tight, consider going up a hook size or relaxing your tension slightly.

3. Work Loosely in the Forward Pass

• The forward pass is where you pick up loops on the hook. For the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch, it’s important to work this pass a bit more loosely than usual to avoid overly tight stitches.
• A looser forward pass will give the stitch pattern more room to open up and create the honeycomb effect. If the forward pass is too tight, your honeycomb texture may be difficult to see and the fabric will be stiffer.

4. Master the Purl Stitch

• The Tunisian Purl Stitch is key to achieving the honeycomb texture. It’s worked by wrapping the yarn around the hook and pulling it through the front of the work. This stitch adds the “raised” effect that forms the honeycomb pattern.
• Practice the Tunisian Purl Stitch separately if you’re not already familiar with it, as it can be a bit tricky at first. When you’re comfortable with it, it will create the perfect texture in your Honeycomb Stitch project.

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, especially when switching between TSS and Purl stitches.
• If you are working a large project, keep the return pass tension consistent to avoid any pulling or unevenness in your fabric.

6. Avoid Pulling Too Tight

• Tunisian crochet can sometimes cause the fabric to pull inwards, especially if you crochet too tightly. Be mindful of this as you crochet the Honeycomb Stitch, and try to keep the stitch height consistent to avoid warping.
• If you feel the fabric is curling too much, you can add a border of regular crochet stitches (like single crochet or double crochet) to help stabilize the edges.

7. Use a Stitch Marker for the First Row

• The first few rows of the Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch can be tricky, especially when getting the purl stitches in the right places. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each row to help you stay on track.
• This can help you keep track of where each forward pass and return pass begins, ensuring your pattern stays aligned.

8. Choose the Right Yarn

• The Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch looks best with yarns that have good stitch definition. This will help highlight the geometric honeycomb pattern.
• Choose yarns like cotton, wool, or acrylic with a smooth texture. Yarns with a little bit of structure will hold the shape of the stitch better than fuzzy or bulky yarns.

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.

Materials

Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)

• 6” = .6oz/25yds
• 12” = 2.7oz/135yds
• 15” = 4.3oz/220yds

K/10.5/6.50mm Tunisian Crochet Hook

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Gauge

16 sts x 12.5 rows = 4”

Finished Measurements

Block to 6”(12”,15”)

Stitch Guide

BO = See Special Stitches

ch = chain

TSS = 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 odd numbers; the instructions are written for a beginning ch-21 for a 6” square, ch-43 for a 12” square, and ch-51 for a 15” square.
• To work a gauge swatch, chain 16 then work pattern below for 14 total rows. 
• Tip: “Honeycombs” are created by offsetting TSS and TPS, so remembering to put TSS over TPS and TPS over TSS will help keep you on track!
• 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 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.

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 21(43,51), 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: *TPS, TSS* across

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, so skip 1st vertical bar: *TSS, TPS* across to last two stitches, TSS in last two 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 R2-3 (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.
  
  
  

Practice with the Tunisian Sampler Bag!

The Tunisian Sampler Bag is made by “sampling” different Tunisian Crochet Stitches, so you can practice several stitches and have a fun project at the end! This bag includes the Tunisian Simple Stitch (January), Tunisian Mock Rib Stitch (May), and the Honeycomb Stitch (this post!)

Happy Tunisian Crocheting!