Tunisian Knit Stitch – Free Tunisian Crochet Stitch Tutorial
The Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS) is a Tunisian crochet stitch that mimics the look of knitted stockinette fabric while being worked with a crochet hook. It is part of the Tunisian crochet family, which involves working stitches onto an extended hook in a two step process.
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This is the February Stitch for the 2025 New Year New Stitch Crochet Along!
Tunisian crochet is a unique crochet technique that combines elements of both traditional crochet and knitting. It uses a long crochet hook, sometimes called an Afghan hook, to work multiple stitches onto the hook in what’s called a ‘forward pass’ before returning them in a second pass called the ‘return pass’. 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 Knit Stitch, abbreviated as TKS, is a beginner level Tunisian Crochet Stitch, because it is a one stitch multiple and a one row repeat.
Like the Tunisian Simple Stitch, this stitch is also good for practicing stitch tension, since it’s the same movements on the forward pass and return pass.
The Tunisian Knit Stitch is the most versatile of the Tunisian crochet stitches, because it looks like the knit stockinette stitch. It can be used for garments like sweaters and skirts, homewares like potholders and dishcloths, and of course afghans!
The TKS does yield a thick fabric, so choosing the right yarn and hook combination is important! The rule of thumb is choosing a Tunisian crochet hook that is two sizes larger than what is listed on the yarn label.
For instance, 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.
This bit of information is important when choosing your project type. For instance, if you want to make a sweater, it may be best to choose a lighter weight yarn like sport weight. Sport weight yarn typically calls for an E/4/3.50mm crochet hook, so you would use a G/6/4.00mm crochet hook or an H/8/5.00mm crochet hook. This will make the fabric less dense and give it more drape.
It is also important to note that the Tunisian Knit Stitch makes the fabric curl up like a tube, and is another reason why choosing the proper crochet hook is important.
One way to help the “Tunisian curl” is having a bigger hook size than suggested on the yarn label, but other ways you can help flatten the fabric is by slip stitching around the project’s outside edge on the back side and blocking the project.
There are exceptions to this “larger hook rule”, like when making projects that you might want to be a little sturdier, such as tote bags or baskets. In this case it may be good to follow the yarn label, because it makes for a denser, sturdier fabric. These projects would be especially sturdy with a 100% cotton yarn.
How to get the Tunisian Knit Stitch pattern:
Tunisian Knit Stitch Square Crochet Pattern
Option 1: Continue scrolling for free pattern instructions on this site
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free PDF that includes tutorial photos from one of my shops
What materials are needed for the 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 Knit Stitch is the February 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/25yds
- 12” = 2.7oz/135yds
- 15” = 4.3oz/220yds
Gauge
13 TKS sts x 13 rows = 4”
Finished Measurements
Block to 6”(12”,15”)
Stitch Guide
ch = chain
TKS = 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-21 for a 6” square, ch-42 for a 12” square, and ch-52 for a 15” square.
- To work a gauge swatch, chain 15 then work pattern below for 13 total rows.
- Stitch chart is on the last page.
- There is a companion video on YouTube.
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.
TKS Bind Off (Bind Off) = Insert hook from front to back between the front and back vertical bars of the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn back between vertical bars 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(42,52), 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 in each st across, place last TKS under both vertical bars on end
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
R4. Turn project over to face back side, sl st in the end of each row and in each stitch arnd; Fasten.
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 Simple 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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