Search Results for: tunisian class

Tunisian Islander

This breezy corner-start triangular wrap, worked side to side, is a refreshing way to experience Tunisian crochet. Some people seem to think of Tunisian crochet as dense or stiff, but this airy net-like stitch has been around long enough to be known by more than one name: Tunisian Corded Stitch, Tunisian Extended Stitch, and Tunisian Single Crochet. It creates such a pretty fabric that I developed a crochet-as-you-go latticework border for it.

It’s also a no-stress way to use up stash yarns because the edging is worked as you go, and you begin the decrease rows when you’ve used half of your yarn. Less yarn than the pattern calls for results in a scarf instead of a wrap.

For me, it is addictive to stitch and is not difficult because the rhythm of the stitch pattern is easy to settle into and remember.

Skill Level

Intermediate because of new stitches and construction technique. After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

  • How to do the net-like Tunisian Extended Stitch (a.k.a. “Tunisian Single Crochet Knitwise,” or “Tunisian Corded Stitch”)
  • How to do symmetrical-looking Tunisian increases and decreases with equal stretch and drape
  • How to create one of many kinds of triangular shapes in Tunisian crochet
  • A new, elegant border that can be worked as you go
  • How to adapt this design to any yarn you have on hand, and predict final dimensions

Finished Dimensions

Pictured Wrap is 82 inches/209 cm at widest point and 24 inches/61 cm at deepest point, including the 1-inch/2.5 cm border. Your dimensions may vary depending on amount of yarn used and desired size; pattern is the same for virtually any amount of yarn.

Materials

  • Tunisian Crochet Hook: size K/11/6.5mm, 14 inches/36 cm long.
  • Yarn used for pictured project: Schoeller+Stahl Batika (100% microfiber acrylic; 142yds/130m per 1.75oz/50g): color #0102, 4 full skeins. Substituting other yarns: Approximately 600 yads/550m of a sport weight or DK weight yarn (category #2 Fine or #3 Light Weight).
  • Stitch markers, optional but recommended, at least for the first few rows.

Weightless Tunisian Wrap

Vashti models the Weightless Wrap, a winner of the 2010 CGOA Design Contest

This award-winning wrap is warm enough to be used during the warmer months, and lacy enough for the rest of the year. It’s an easy-intermediate level Tunisian crochet pattern requiring approximately 700 yards of laceweight kid mohair yarn and a large Tunisian crochet hook.

Weightless is one large easy rectangle, so there is no increasing or decreasing. You begin at one short front edge, so you won’t need a long Tunisian crochet hook. A 9-inch (23cm) long hook is all I needed to hold all loops on the hook. The pattern is written for the crocheter who knows how to do the basic Tunisian stitches and is ready to learn new ones.

I developed this lacy combination of stitches myself, which I call “Tunisian Wicker Stitch,” and have not found it used anywhere else. It uses Tunisian stitches that are familiar to those who have already ventured beyond the Tunisian Simple Stitch, such as the yarn-over, slip stitch, and twisted stitches, and puts them together in a new way.

Skill Level

Pattern is rated Easy Intermediate because the crochet hook is unusually large for the fine yarn used, and some crocheters may be unfamiliar with this combination. You should be familiar with the Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss), which is a beginner stitch.

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

  • How to do less common twisted, slip, and eyelet Tunisian stitches
  • The power of simple blocking to transform a lacy design
  • How to “crochet with air”—that’s how it might feel to use a very big crochet hook with a fine, weightless yarn!
  • The special merits of fine mohair yarn for crochet accessories.

Finished Dimensions

Measured flat after blocking: 19.5 x 70 inches/50 x 178 cm.

Supplies needed

  • Yarn used: S.R. Kertzer’s Ovation (75% Kid Mohair, 25% Silk, 233yds/212m per .88oz/25g ball), color #2140 White: 3 balls.
  • Yarn substitution advice: A light weight, gossamer-like mohair-blend yarn listing a size F/5/3.75mm crochet hook or needle on the label should look lovely. This yarn weight is called “#3 Light” or “DK/Light Worsted Weight”. To be safe, have 700 yards of it (you may need only 600yds).
  • 9-inch (23cm) Tunisian crochet hook size M/13/9mm or size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Regular crochet hook: size J/10/6mm
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Steek Crochet With Pattern Schematics in Any Language

Pattern schematics inspire me to steek crochet.

I wish every crochet garment pattern offered a schematic. It outlines the sections of a garment, like puzzle pieces. Schematics cut through illusions cast by fashion photography and lovely models. A single pattern schematic can distill a fancy design to its simplest essence. I created two Pinterest boards of things that inspire me to steek crochet: Steeks: Ideas and Wearable Simple Shapes.

Schematics also cut through language barriers. I can understand a non-English pattern if it includes a good schematic or two.

I created a few sample schematics for the Tunisian steek crochet class handout and realized how much I get out of them. This would be the next newsletter issue if I had time to do one! (Too much conference prep.)

Simple garment squares and rectangles. From my Tunisian class handout. Add a steek where you see a pink bar.
Steek where the pink bar is in these pattern schematics for simple-shapes garments.
Update! I wrote newsletter #80, Pattern Schematics for Insiders & Outsiders, three months after I wrote this blog post. Note that shop links in its right-hand column are outdated as of Sept. 2017.

A schematic is sensational to me when a garment that looks chic on a model, yet its schematic reveals that it’s made of simple shapes like rectangles. It’s exciting because every crocheter or knitter first learns how to make rectangles, right?

Sometimes all you need is a rectangle that drapes, or is clingy/stretchy (or all of these). Sometimes weightlessness brings it home, other times it’s a luxuriously weighty swing. The schematic tells you what’s what when you know what to look for.

Sometimes the key to chic is a well-placed seam on a simple shape. Sometimes it’s a special edging. And sometimes it’s the where and how of the steek. Steek crochet for the easy chic of it.

I love this conference prep blogging because it makes me aware of things that I’ve done for years, like collect pattern schematics.

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What IS Crochet, Really?

'What is crochet' issue: Unusual mesh of two-color very tall stitches

“What Is Crochet, Really?” was first published as issue #103 of Vashti’s Crochet Inspirations Newsletter. I sent it to 8,043 subscribers on October 9, 2020 with the title, “The Big Picture of Crochet”. I’ve updated the third paragraph (“This idea for a newsletter topic…”) as of Nov. 2, 2020.

I have a fresh big picture of crochet to report.

I’ve worried about whether you’d be interested in my “what is crochet” thoughts, but you know what? It’s crochet theory, which we don’t have enough of, so I’m probably not alone in pondering it. 

For help in my quest I turned to national libraries, big crochet sites, encyclopedias, and academia. How does crochet fit into the larger world? How is it defined by and for non-crocheters, versus crocheters? Within the subject of crochet, how is its huge variety organized into subtopics? 

This idea for a newsletter topic grabbed hold of me thanks to three writers (I’ve listed all mentioned sources at the bottom): Cary Karp, Rachel Maines, and Sue Perez. Cary’s Loopholes blog has several thought-provoking posts and published articles about crochet history and structure; his “Defining Crochet” article had me mulling “what really is crochet” for weeks. It turns out that my “how does crochet fit into the larger world” question is addressed in Rachel’s book. Sue’s new category-crossing crochet book was an indirect trigger (see Links at the bottom).

Continue reading What IS Crochet, Really?

Archived Crochet Newsletters: LIST

Have you arrived at this page from Ravelry, Facebook, a blog post, pattern PDF, or elsewhere? Welcome. This is the only place to find the complete list of my archived crochet newsletters, with update notes and direct access to each. Go directly to the list below.

Archived newsletters: first page of a typical issue.

I proudly present a full backlist of my archived crochet newsletters. This page is a public log of my progress as I add each one to its permanent public archive on this site.

As I upload and update each back issue, I’ll add its direct link to the list below. Use the issue number (such as #60 for the one pictured) to find the issue you want in the list. If it isn’t clickable, it’s not yet republished.

The Originals, Enriched

Each of my archived crochet newsletters is in the process of getting its own permanent page on this website. You’ll be able to leave comments, bookmark and return to it, share, pin, and print out a copy. I love that I can add new stuff as the topic evolves. If I’ve updated it more than once, I’ll note the most recent date at the top of its page.

I’m generally preserving the original issues except for very light editing and link-fixing here and there. Many of the topics continue to evolve. Issue #2 is an example of when I add new material and some original notes that were squeezed out of the issue the first time around. This kind of stuff goes at the end of its page, clearly indicated. In the case of Issue #3, the whole issue got a dramatic overhaul!

How to Find an Issue

Know the number of the issue, or the general date it was sent?

The first-ever issue, #1, was sent September 2, 2010. Issue #100 went out September 1, 2019. Scroll through the list below by issue number, which is also chronological.

I always refer to an issue by its number.

Prefer to browse?

I created this page just for you. And for me, when I just want to scroll through the memories.

Have a topic in mind?

Have a topic in mind, but you don’t know the number or date of the issue(s)? I’m working on a way to display newsletters grouped in subcategories.

Vashti’s Archived Crochet Newsletters Complete List: 2010 to the Present

On a mobile device? Scroll to the left or right if you don’t see FOUR columns (Issue #, Sent Date, Original Title, Notes).

Issue #Sent
Date		Original TitleNotes
#12010-09-02 New Crochet Talk: Inaugural Issue
#22010-09-16A Super Crochet ManeuverUpdated title: Crochet Stitch Equivalents (Issue 2)
#32010-09-30A Very Different Kind of Crochet StitchUpdated title: Limpet Stitch: Crochet Half Hitches (Issue 3)
#42010-10-14Graphing Waterlilies
#52010-10-28A Fever for Neck Warmers
#62010-11-11Thick, Thicker, Thickest
#72010-11-24Tunisian for Yarn Bail Outs
#82010-12-09Commutative Property
#92011-01-06The Ribbing Issue
#102011-01-20Breaking Out of Tunisian Ruts 
#112011-02-03Fibers That ‘Sproing’ 
#122011-02-17Twist Some Loops 
#132011-03-03Shrugging Off Winter 
#142011-03-17Ireland, Japan, and Crochet Lace
#152011-04-01Unpacking V-Stitches 
#162011-04-14Flavor Burst Crochet  
#172011-04-28Fancy Cords in 360º 
#182011-05-13Deep Crochet Research 
#192011-05-26Netting vs. Lace  
#202011-06-09Travel Crochet 
#212011-06-23Wee Pebble Stitches 
#222011-07-08Crochet That Pours 
#232011-07-21If Stitch Patterns Could Speak         
#242011-08-04Mirroring Stitch Types 
#252011-08-18Tweak Those Gaps Along Row Edges?        
#262011-09-01Fun With Stitch Blocking  
#272011-09-15Stalking the Wild Slip Stitch  
#282011-10-06Mohairs for Crochet 
#292011-10-20Short Row Startle! 
#302011-11-05Yarns of Different Stripes 
#312011-11-17Sparkly Crocheting 
#322011-12-01Quick Crochet for Kids 
#332011-12-16Jumbo Hooks 
#342011-12-31Protecting Crochet Creativity 
#352012-01-14Draping Simple Shapes 
#362012-02-17Ribs, Old & New Grooves
#372012-03-08When Stitches Lean 
#382012-03-23A Jewelry Experiment Method 
#392012-04-24Love Knot Research 
#402012-05-14Pulling Up a Long Loop  
#412012-07-12Beachy Kimono & Ruana Shapes 
#422012-08-11“Inverse” (NOT Reverse) Crocheting 
#432012-09-27Silver Wire Crocheting 
#442012-11-08Dainty Eyelets for Winter Lace 
#452012-11-30Slip Stitch FAQ Blogged a version of this: Slip Stitch Crochet FAQ.
#462012-12-13Clones Knots, Open & Closed 
#472013-02-19Rayon Threads. Really? 
#482013-03-14Diagonal Tunisian Crochet Discovery 
#492013-04-20‘TEKSplorations’ for Tunisian LaceBlogged about the Tunisian Extended Stitch: Tunisian Extended Stitch Ripple.
#502013-05-16Those Crochet Stitch “Feet” 
#512013-06-18Lacy Summery Seams 
#522013-07-18Slip Stitches, Wool Breeds, & Plying
#532013-08-06Slip Stitch Flowers 
#542103-09-27How (& Why?) of Crochet Coffee Cozies
#552013-12-02Fun Yarn Tests, and – BIG NEWS! 
#562014-01-09Yarn Color Charms to Make 
#572014-02-14Which Beads Added Which Way?
#582014-03-13About That Bump in the Chain
#592014-04-01Star Stitch, the Tunisian Connection 
#602014-04-25Star Stitch Lace Pretties! 
#612014-06-06When Top Loops Are Optional! 
#622014-09-06Hexagonal Lace TypesBlogged overflow from this issue: Beaded Delta Crochet Types of Lace.
#632014-10-02Fun with Double StrandingBlogged overflow from this issue, Double-Strand Crochet, and more overflow: More on Double Strand Crocheting.
#642014-11-07Dramatic Tunisian Edge IncreasesBlogged a version of this: How to Increase Tunisian Crochet Blocks.
#652014-12-05Mock Cables in Slip Stitches Blogged the project: Crochet Cable Boot Cuff Pattern Progress.
#662014-12-21Hot Trend: Boot Cuffs! 
#672015-02-05That Weird Popcorn Stitch Step 
#682015-05-23Filet Net Textures, Rotated! 
#692015-07-04Wish Bracelets: Why Not Crocheted?
#702015-08-14Starting a Stitch with a Backtrack! 
#712015-09-19Beyond Crochet Hook Debates Blogged: downloadable Crochet Hook Diagram, and Crochet Hook Size Charts.
#722015-10-10“Long Tail” Crochet Blogged: Long Tail Crochet Foundations.
#732015-11-25How to Shape Star Stitches 
#742015-12-16Crochet a Filament of Cheer 
#752016-01-23It’s MORE Than an Invisible Decrease! Blogged a version of this: When to Crochet Between Top Loops.
#762016-02-12Heart Shapes with Slip Stitches Blogged a free heart pattern to go with this issue: Slip Stitch Crochet Hearts. Also see Crochet Bunnies Flat or Puffy.
#772016-03-08Find the Color Code of Short Striping Yarns         Related blog post: Rosebud Argyle Color Pooling Stitch.
#782016-05-02Möbius Mindbending Experiences  Related blog post: Mindbender Mobius News.
#792016-06-11Steek (Cut) Stitches the Fun Way ✂ Blogged the overflow from this issue: Steeking Crochet (Newsletter Overflow).
#802016-09-01Pattern Schematics for Insiders and Outsiders
#812016-11-04Crocheting Pendant Loops ➰ 
#822016-12-10Holiday 2016 + Foundation Star How-to[includes #82.5 (12/15/2016) Updates to Last Week’s Issue] 
#83 2017-02-28Hidden Pictures in CUT Stitches! 
#842017-05-05Crocheted Ruffles
#852017-07-07New Stitch Patterns 
#862017-08-10Edgings That Multitask 
#872017-08-24Announcing a Ruana ‘DAL CAL’ (design-along crochet-along) 
#882017-11-18Yarn Overs⤵, Unders⤴, and ‘Purlwise’Blogged overflow from this issue: Yarn Over, Yarn Under (Newsletter Overflow).
#892018-01-13Crochet Around a Ring *Differently* Blogged the design that inspired this issue: Last Minute Crochet Jewelry Gift.
#902018-03-04Elegant Tall Stitches
#912018-04-07Crocheting a Yarn’s Twist Energy 
#922018-05-19Clever Substitutions
#932018-07-21Unzip Foundation Chains
#942018-09-01Referring to Stitch Parts
#952018-10-19Color Revolution
#962018-11-29Choosing Holiday Projects         Blogged the charts of ideas: Holiday Crochet Project Habits.
#972019-02-10Crochet “Life Lists”                               Downloadable PDF of Crochet Bucket List.
#982019-04-06Tricky Tunisian/Afghan Hooks                  
#992019-06-07Barefoot Sandal Phenomenon
#100 2019-09-01It’s Issue 100!: Scaling Every Which Way
#1012020-04-25How I Reset Major Crochet Slumps
#1022020-06-13Wild Whys of Y-StitchesCurrently included in the Tall Stitch Class Resources Page until it gets its own permanent page.
#1032020-10-09Big Picture of CrochetUpdated title: What IS Crochet, Really?
#1042022-01-26The Paradoxical Return PassYou might be able to view it here until I add it to this site.
#1052022-04-22Ripple Stitch DNAView it here until I add it to this site.
#106ooo
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