The gateway Tunisian stitch — woven face. ImproverUS: tssUK: tss
Tunisian Simple has the same name in US and UK patterns (abbreviated tss), so you can follow either without converting.
Video tutorial — pick your hand
Every stitch in Crochets has a mirrored lesson for lefties — no more mentally flipping videos.
🎬 Right-handed video by Kay Krochets on YouTube.
How to crochet the Tunisian Simple — step by step
Forward pass: with a long Tunisian hook, chain your width. Insert the hook in the 2nd chain, yarn over, pull up a loop, and keep it on the hook. Repeat in every chain — all loops stay on the hook.
Return pass: yarn over, pull through 1 loop, then *yarn over, pull through 2 loops* until one loop remains. Do not turn.
Next forward pass: skip the first vertical bar, insert the hook right-to-left under each vertical bar across, pulling up a loop each time.
Repeat forward and return passes. Block the fabric — Tunisian curls until it's blocked.
Instructions use US terms. Working left-handed? Do exactly the same moves as a mirror image — insert the hook from the same side of the stitch, working from left to right instead of right to left.
Where to use it
Tunisian crochet keeps many loops on a long hook and works in forward-and-return passes. The fabric looks knitted, is thicker, and curls until it's blocked.
Common mistakes with the Tunisian Simple
Working the first vertical bar — you almost always skip it, or the edge grows.
Using a regular hook; you need a long or cabled Tunisian hook to hold the loops.
Skipping blocking — Tunisian fabric curls hard and blocking flattens it completely.
Planning a project with the Tunisian Simple? Use the free yarn calculator to work out how many skeins you need, and the foundation chain calculator to get the width right the first time.
The Tunisian Simple has the same name in UK and US terminology, abbreviated tss.
Is the Tunisian Simple good for beginners?
It is an improver stitch — comfortable once you know the basic stitches. The gateway Tunisian stitch — woven face.
Can I crochet the Tunisian Simple left-handed?
Yes. Left-handed crocheters work the same stitch as a mirror image — right to left becomes left to right. Crochets includes a left-handed video for the Tunisian Simple, and its pattern tools write instructions in your working direction.
What is the Tunisian Simple used for?
Tunisian crochet keeps many loops on a long hook and works in forward-and-return passes. The fabric looks knitted, is thicker, and curls until it's blocked.
Learn the Tunisian Simple in your hand, at your pace
Crochets has 300 stitches with right- and left-handed videos, a pattern designer that writes the pattern for you, and a photo preview of your finished piece. Free to start.