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BB January 2020 Tunisian Crochet ZigZag and Diamonds

Tunisian Crochet ZigZag and Diamonds

January 2020 BlanketBox

Designed by Lauren Samar for Yarn Bits Shop

Feel free to email for pattern help or questions: help@yarnbitsshop.com

This blanket is a great way to learn and practice Tunisian crocheting. The first part of the pattern will cover what Tunisian crocheting is and how to do the different aspects needed. After the overview, the color charts are provided. There are 4 possible layouts for the squares with two color options for each (8 possible squares total). With these layouts, the overall order of the squares is completely up to you! The squares are sewed together and the border around the entire blanket is simple to keep the focus of this pattern on the technique itself.

Tunisian Crochet ZigZag and Diamonds Pattern

Supplies: 

6 skeins of Premier Anti Pilling Everyday Worsted Yarn in Mist, 3 skeins in Orchid, 3 skeins in Bright Violet; Size H 14 Inch Afghan Hook, Needle, Blocking mat if desired

Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate

Dimensions: 

Square dimensions: ~18” x 18”

About Tunisian Crochet: 

Tunisian crochet work is never turned and each row is worked in two parts: the forward and return pass. The forward pass picks up the stitches/loops onto the hook (hence why the hooks need to be longer) and the return pass works them off the hook. With this technique, the back of the fabric will look different than the front and curling is common (but can be tamed with blocking or a border).

The foundation row is started the same way for any tunisian stitch.

Foundation Row: 

  1. ch a number of stitches (beg ch)
  2. Forward pass: roll chain forward slightly so the back bumps can be seen. Insert hook in 2nd ch back bump, yarn over,  and pull through (2 loops on hook). Repeat for each ch across. 
  3. Return pass: Yarn over, pull  through first loop on hook (basically a ch 1, known as return ch), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook, repeat across until there is one stitch left on the hook. This stitch is now the 1st stitch of the next row.

Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)

After completing the foundation row, the rows are worked with the following forward and return passes for this stitch.

Forward pass: Skip first vertical bar, insert hook from right to left (if right handed, it will be left to right if you’re left handed) under the 2nd vertical bar (only one bar on hook when picked up), yarn over and pull up loop, keep loop on hook. Repeat across to last stitch. Work end stitch: insert hook under last bar and the bar that lies directly behind it, yarn over and pull loop.

Return pass: Yarn over, pull  through first loop on hook (return ch), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook, repeat across until there is one stitch left on the hook.

 

Color Changes With Tunisian Crochet

These blanket squares will not have any color changes on the edge- all the color changes are mid-row. 

Forward pass: work up to the stitch where the color change is required, insert hook in the next st, yarn over with the new color, work the next set of stitches in the new color. Repeat for all the color changes in the row. 

Return pass: work as normal until there is one loop of the contrast color left on the hook, yarn over the new color, and continue with the return pass pattern. 

Note: the colors are not carried down the row, you will be leaving the strands where they last were used to be used again in the following passes or rows. Only fasten off if that strand will not be picked up again in the next row. This means that there are many strands of yarn attached to the square, it is recommended to make smaller balls of yarn as needed so it is easier to transport. 

 

Reading the Color Chart

Each chart provided is for one square. Each square is a stitch with the first stitch already on your hook when starting the row. The stitches in the row are numbered from right to left since (if you are right handed), the stitches will be picked up in that order. If you are a left handed crocheter, you will read the chart from left to right. The rows are numbered bottom to top so working up with your square should match the progression easily. 

The first row of the chart is the foundation row. After that, all stitches are completed as explained in the TSS section. 

See next page for color specifications for each chart. 

 

Color Specifications for Charts

To make it easier to read and to ensure the square borders of the charts are clear, the charts do not display all the colors. Below are the color specifications for each chart. 

Thin and Thick ZigZag

The ZigZag squares are designed to be two colors only- Mist and one of the other colors.  

Version 1: 

Grey squares = Mist yarn (8 strands for Thin, 6 for Thick)

White squares = Bright Violet (7 strands for Thin, 5 for Thick)

Version 2:

Grey squares = Mist yarn (8 strands for Thin, 6 for Thick)

White squares = Orchid (7 strands for Thin, 5 for Thick)

 

Expanding and Centralized Diamonds

Version 1: 

Grey Squares = Mist (Up to 7 strands for Expanding, Up to 8 strands for Centralized)

Pink Squares = Bright Violet  (Up to 4 strands for Expanding, Up to 4 strands for Centralized)

White Squares = Orchid (Up to 3 strands for Expanding, Up to 3 strands for Centralized)

 

Version 2:

Grey Squares = Mist (Up to 7 strands for Expanding, Up to 8 strands for Centralized)

Pink Squares = Orchid (Up to 4 strands for Expanding, Up to 4 strands for Centralized)

White Squares = Bright Violet (Up to 3 strands for Expanding, Up to 3 strands for Centralized)

 

Attaching and Border

After squares are completed, use Mist and the mattress stitch to sew the squares together in the layout desired. Weave in all ends. 

After the squares are attached, if a border is desired (and there’s enough yarn), sc or hdc in each row/stitch around with (sc 2, ch 2, sc 2) or (hdc 2, ch 2, hdc 2) at the corners. Complete as many rows as desired. 

Pattern Declaimer

This is a paid pattern originally designed for a Yarn Bits Shop subscription box. 

You have permission to sell any item made from this pattern. However, you are not allowed to resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern or downloads in any printed or digital form (in full), or to claim the pattern as your own original design. If you want to sell or share a picture of your work from this pattern, please clearly credit the design to me: Lauren Samar of Yarn Bits Shop (with link to the website when applicable). 

Occasionally a mistake or typo falls through, please report them via email (help@yarnbitsshop.com) and the pattern will be updated accordingly.