Free Tunisian Crochet Pattern for Beginners

Tunisian crochet is the technique behind those rich, woven-looking fabrics that sit somewhere between crochet and knitting. It looks advanced, but the foundation is genuinely beginner-friendly: you keep every loop on a long hook as you work across the row, then work your way back to close them off. This free written PDF walks you through that foundation step by step, with real photos, so you can make your very first Tunisian swatches today.

What you will learn

You will learn the core of Tunisian crochet from the free PDF: how to make a foundation chain that does not curl, how to work the forward pass to pick up your loops, and how to work the return pass to close them back off. From there you will make two of the most useful beginner stitches, the Tunisian Simple Stitch and the Tunisian Purl Stitch, each shown with clear step-by-step photos of the real swatch as it grows. Once these two stitches feel natural, most other Tunisian stitches are small variations on the same rhythm.

What you will need

• Smooth, well-spun yarn in a light worsted or worsted weight (it shows the stitches clearly)
• A Tunisian crochet hook, which is a longer hook or a cable hook that can hold many loops at once
• A yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors, and a hook a little larger than your yarn label suggests to reduce curling

Stitches used

Foundation chain, the forward pass, the return pass, the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), the Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS), simple increases and decreases, and a slip-stitch bind off, all worked in US terms. The PDF explains each one from the first step and shows what your work should look like at every stage, so you are never left guessing what a row is asking for.

Tips for your first Tunisian swatch

• Chain loosely. A tight foundation chain is the most common reason a first swatch pulls in at the bottom.
• Go up a hook size. Tunisian fabric curls less and stays more relaxed when the hook is slightly larger than the yarn label recommends.
• Never turn your work. The right side always faces you, which is what makes the neat woven texture.
• Skip the first vertical bar and work the last stitch under two loops. That one habit keeps your edges straight from row one.

Frequently asked questions

Is this pattern really free?

Yes. The full written PDF is free when you enter your email above. You can unsubscribe any time.

Do I need a special hook?

You need a Tunisian hook, which is simply a longer hook (or a hook with a cable) so it can hold all of your loops at once. A regular short hook will not have room for a full row of Tunisian stitches. Any yarn-appropriate size works to start.

I am a complete beginner. Can I really do this?

Yes. Tunisian crochet looks harder than it is because it uses just two moves per row, the forward pass and the return pass, repeated. The PDF teaches both from scratch with photos, so a confident beginner can make a swatch in an afternoon.

Where can I find more patterns?

Try our free crochet flower pattern for beginners or our free granny square pattern for beginners. You can also browse our free crochet pattern books or shop the full Complete Tunisian Crochet in a Day Stitch Book on Amazon.