Symmetrical Diamond

Description

This Symmetrical Diamond pattern introduces diagonal Tunisian crochet for clothing and fashion accessories. It’s a basic pattern, so it works just as well for afghan motifs, pillows, hot pads, and other home decor. Pick a yarn with built-in color changes for exciting stripes! The pattern starts out as an all-purpose swatch for any yarn and hook size, then offers three ways to turn your swatch into a practical project:

• Make dish cloths with medium cotton yarn.
• Make a padded wrist rest, sleeve for your cell phone or sunglasses, or a set of reusable makeup remover pads with thinner yarns.

I developed this strategic four-edge stitch shaping combination from scratch because common shaping methods don’t work well for diagonal Tunisian crochet. My goal was to find a uniformly finished solid edge for Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) that’s also symmetrically stretchy. I researched 100 or so sources and I know of no one else using it; nor do I know of a published option that offers a close substitute. 

There is a Crochet Inspirations Newsletter issue about this pattern: #48 Diagonal Tunisian Crochet Discovery – http://eepurl.com/wNeCn

After you try this pattern, have a look at the new Burly Bias. I designed it for the Tunisian on the Diagonal class as the next step in having fun crocheting diagonally.  Four Peaks, Warm Aeroette, and Aery Faery (rectangular wrap scarves with eyelets). Adding eyelets to each edge requires specialized tweaks for Tunisian lace; in fact, I’m discovering a new world of Tunisian edges with special effects. You might also like my other Tunisian projects that begin in one corner (Islander) or crocheted in biasing rows (Petals, Shakti Scarves).

Skill Level: Easy Intermediate

You should know how to crochet the Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) and have some experience using a Beginner-Level Tunisian crochet pattern. (Burly is an example of one.)

Pattern abbreviations are kept to a minimum. International English equivalents to American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are in brackets { }. In response to feedback in Tunisian crochet classes, I list the stitch names and descriptions in a pink sidebar on the pattern pages. (This way there’s no need to flip back to the “Stitch Guide” page while crocheting.)

After using this pattern, you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to create a symmetrical triangle and a square of any size with Tunisian simple stitch by starting in the corner (and how much fun it is!).
• How to start in one corner to add stretch, drape, and diagonal striping to Tunisian crochet.
• How to increase and decrease along the right edge of Tunisian crochet rows to take advantage of this dynamic biasing fabric.
• How to increase along the left edge of Tunisian crochet rows to match the drape and stretch of the right side.

Finished Dimensions

It’s easy to make your diamond larger or smaller. (That’s the “point” of corner-to-corner, really.)

1. Dishcloth: 6.5″ {16.5 cm} square.
2. Diamond Eyeglass Sleeve: 6″ {15.25 cm} square.
3. Diamond Makeup Reusables: 2.75″ {7 cm} square.

Materials Used

Diamond Dishcloth

• Crochet Hook: Size US10/J/6.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook that is at least 10″ {25.5 cm} long for the longest rows.  Tip: Since you begin in one corner, you can use a regular crochet hook as your Tunisian hook until it’s difficult for you to keep all loops of the Forward Pass (FP) on your hook; then switch to a longer Tunisian hook.
• Two stitch markers (optional)
• Yarn Shown: Lion Brand Cotton Ease (50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic; 207yds/189m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #123 Seaspray. Each ball yields 4 to 6 dish cloths.

Substituting a yarn: For most dish cloths and face cloths I like a cotton-acrylic blend. It seems to stay soft longer and dry faster. Choose a #3 Light or #4 Medium Weight yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of US7/G/4.5mm to 9/I/5.5mm. These yarns may also be called DK (Double Knitting), Light Worsted, or Worsted weight.

Diamond Eyeglass Sleeve

• Crochet Hook: Size US8/H/5.0 mm Tunisian crochet hook that is at least 10″ {25.5 cm} long for the longest rows.  Tip: Since you begin in one corner, you can use a regular crochet hook as your Tunisian hook until it’s difficult for you to keep all loops of the Forward Pass (FP) on your hook; then switch to a longer Tunisian hook.
• Two stitch markers (optional)
• Yarn Shown: (75% Superwash virgin wool, 50% Nylon; 410yds/375m per 5.25oz/150g ball), color #63, approx. 41 yds {57.5 m} per Sleeve.

Substituting a yarn:  I chose a thicker than usual sock yarn for two reasons: I want this yarn to hold up when I keep this sunglass sleeve in my handbag, and it’s easy to find a dramatically self-striping sock yarn. (See Diamond Makeup Reusables below for standard thinner weight sock yarn examples.) Choose a #2 Fine Weight yarn with a recommended crochet hook size range of US4/E/3.5mm to US6/G/4.0mm. These yarns may also be called Sport, Heavy Sock {Light DK, 5-Ply}.

Diamond Makeup Reusables

• Crochet Hook: Size US5/F/3.75 mm Tunisian crochet hook of any length.
• Two stitch markers (optional)
• Yarn Shown: Plymouth Sockotta (45% Cotton, 40% Superwash wool, 15% Nylon; 414yds/379m per 3.5oz/100g ball), color #6655.

Substituting a yarn:  This cotton blend sock yarn is an unconventional choice for crocheted makeup remover pads and I’m really happy with it. Many crocheters use a thicker 100% cotton “dishcloth” yarn instead (see “Diamond Dishcloth” above). Most sock yarns are designed to hold up to hard wear and machine washing and drying. I like the sock yarn I used because it’s thinner, it has enough cotton to feel soft and absorbent, and the heathered color changes don’t show any traces of makeup residue after washing. I prefer them over the one-use quilted cotton balls I’ve used for years!

Choose a #1 Super Fine Weight yarn with a recommended hook size range of US2/C/2.25mm to US4/E/3.5mm. These yarns may also be called Fingering, Sock, Light Sport, Baby {3-Ply}.

I loved this yarn for a soft and durable padded wrist rest: Schachenmayr nomotta Regia Silk Color (55% Wool, 25% Nylon, 20% Silk; 218yds/199m per 1.75oz/50g ball), color #0181. For more information about this project variation, see this Ravelry project page: http://ravel.me/vashtirama/ptdwr .

Want to see another project? I love making these double-thick Diamond Coasters with a crazy Noro yarn!