I'm about to start a big Tunisian crochet project and was just planning on extensive blocking. Maybe I need to delay a day to see the results of these experiments
You have unterrified me of blocking. I tried it (and failed) once. I am now going to steal my mom's garment steamer!! She doesn't use it anymore (a retired alteration specialist) anyway. All the blessing to you! You never fail to inspire me.
You got this, babe! Blocking is so simple and truly crucial to getting the most out of the things we make. I'm sure your mom is grateful that her steamer is being put to good use 🙂
I had no idea to have the project face down while blocking. The aha moment.😊 I use the size up, borders, the flck and the blocking methods on all my projects. That shawl is gorgeous on you. Your outfit helps highlight your beautiful complection. Keep up with the wonderful work!! BTW I learn tunisian crochet from you. Due to some health issues regular crochet was aggravating my wrists. Doing tunisian crochet is easier on my wrists.
You are simply fabulous!! I learned Tunisian crochet from you and love the technique. I love how you share your experiences which only leads to growth. You are definitely my favorite and most accomplished crochet artiste!! Carry on!❣️❣️❣️
I’ve been trying to learn crochet since I was pregnant with my daughter but I could never get the hang of it. I found your videos a few months ago and I FINALLY got it! I really love Tunisian, and I’ve been able to teach my now 10 year old daughter who also loves it! ❤
SQUEEEEE! I love hearing that! Keep up your practice - it only gets better with time. And to hear that your daughter is into crochet now, too, warms my heart!! I love that you're sharing this craft together and making so many memories. Keep it up!!
I really love your experiment tutorials like this! I mean I'm sitting here with headphones on and nodding my head and saying out loud, "yes!" lol. I don't enjoy blocking but I agree with you, don't just stop after doing all that work! I love how thorough you are and I mean you just really reached me here! One of these days I'm going to send you some of my hand dyed yarn to review and I'd love to see how my yarn looks worked up and blocked!
I tried Tunisian crochet in the 80's. I still have the hook (hook on both ends). Without someone to show me, I failed miserably. I have been crocheting since I was 9, and I love it. I saw your UA-cam video on learning Tunisian in 15 minutes. I dug out that new but old hook and gave it a go. I'm hooked! (Pun intended)😊. Thanks for giving me something new to add to my love of crochet! P.s. I've subscribed and liked your channel. Yay!!!! 🎉
Always a fantastic and to the point video! You have taught me so much and I’m 1.5 year into crocheting and a week into Tunisian crochet and I’m obsessed!
I use a border around my project and then blocking. I am extremely careful not to touch my acrylic fibers with the steamer as I ruined my first acrylic project I used the steamer on. The only option I was not aware of, is the one where you pull the loop of your forward pass stitches up. To be honest, I am never worried about the curling as I know blocking would take care of it. 💟💟
Sorry, I had to repeat here as I tried to finish my question that I accidentally hit enter and there is an emoji sidebar over the dots to edit my comment. Anyway back to what I was trying to find out. I am making my first sweater ever, it is also my first Tunisian project. I am using the knit stitch. In a previous video I watched this morning you were talking about getting a straight edge completely around the project. I started with using the back bump to get that v, my right side was perfect but the left side although straight wasn't getting the perfect v like the right. In that video you demonstrated how I can get that, thank you! My next question is why is my tension tighter and smaller on both sides the right is a little tighter and smaller than the left, and both tighter and smaller than the middle? I am not concerned with the curl as I will be joining the edges. At the bottom, I did the rib stitch (FPDC, BPDC every other stitch) I used a K hook to chain, a J hook to do the ribbing, and an L Tunisian hook for the knit stitch for the main body of work. I do find I do the extra pull-up on the stitch like you just demonstrated here as one of the examples to stop the curl. I know I do crochet on the smaller, tighter side because I like a tighter weave, so I was trying to compensate for my propensity for tighter stitching. I want to thank you so much for making these videos and for all the others you created for us. I also bought the Tunisian crochet hooks that you partnered with Sewrella. I absolutely love them! I have never in my life paid that much for a tool for my hobby. It was a luxury gift I gave myself for over forty years of crocheting. They were absolutely what I was looking for and wasn't finding. I like Susan Bates's hooks over Boyle because the head has a better point on it instead of being rounded. I really like metal over plastic and wood. I bought bamboo hooks but found they don't have a deep enough neck and I was constantly losing the yarn when pulling through. So, thank you for designing the almost perfect Tunisian hooks. As you pointed out they would have been perfect if the flexible tube didn't twist while crocheting. I love how you seem to know exactly what we all need and the experience and knowledge you share are so invaluable for all of us. I don't know how you do it, but your videos come when I seem to have a project that I need help with. You have a knack of explaining it that is so easy to follow. Now if you haven't done a video yet or if you have made a video about how to read and write patterns. I am trying to write the pattern for my first sweater that I am doing without a pattern to follow as it is in my head. I have tried following patterns but I usually go off-script after getting a basic idea of it. If you have already made a video covering this topic please point it out to me. Because I find trying to write down what I am doing ends up in chaos. Thank you again! For sharing your love and enthusiasm for crocheting and that beautiful smile. I find you say just enough without being too wordy like some creators and still get your point across. You're just so easy to listen to. I love that!
My wife is coming back to Crochet and I found you for her. I am so glad to watch this with her because, I now know why my cotton😂 T shirts roll up from the bottom in the front; thread tension. You content is awesome and your presentation is even better. You make me smile as you talk. Such a good human. Thank you for the lessons and information. We are sub 159k
My go-to stitch for flattening out the curl is (takes deep breath) Offset Alternating Front and Back Extended Tunisian Simple Stitch. It's not as difficult as it sounds! And it makes a lovely woven texture which is reversable. Here's how you do it: 1. Do a TSS. 2. Chain 1 (that's the "extended" part) 3. Next stitch, do a Back TSS -- that is, instead of going through the front vertical bar, go around the back through the back vertical bar. (that's the "Alternating Front and Back" part) 4. Chain 1 (again, the "extended" part) 5. Repeat from Step 1 until the end of the row, where you do your usual edge stitch. Then chain 1. 6. Do a standard Return Pass. 7. Next row, you start with a Back TSS (that's the "offset" part) instead of a Front TSS, and continue on in the same Alternating way.
I’m working on a rug using bernat maker yarn, not doing Tunisian. But the first 17 rows are single crochet and the edge is curling 😢 I’m hoping this info might help my problem too…🤔
Some Textile Industry knowledge and crafting experience on Acrylic Fiber, plus, a parenthetical statement with ▪ marks the spot of how I like to work my Tunisian to avoid the curl : ● Instead of steaming, you can just give acrylic a HOT bath with fabric softener and produce the same effect; lay it flat to dry on the right side/face of it the first time. You may even have to put some double folded towel weight upon it. Doubtful you'd ever have to do it this way again. . . But don't quote me. I've only done a couple or three of my Tunisian projects this way and they were done with an H or I size hook ( ▪ I do one to three rows of purl stitch first, to avoid the curling problem in the first place - why fix when you can avoid - I also bend and pull my project around my hook to pull all of those front threads forward so that I do not get a big build-up of laxnesss in my Loops back there. As I work my stitches, I try to make sure there is laxness on the front/in my "pull through" loops - but just enough to be able to work the stitches coming back without making them tight to avoid the curl). ● The length of time in which you bathe it can produce smoother and smoother yarn, as the crimp uncrimps due to the Heat because Acrylic is very Temperature Sensitive. Longer bath = less crimp ( unless your water cools off because the sink is made of man-made synthetic materials, not enamel or porcelain over iron). Due to the nature of Acrylic and what the heat does to it, you may want to choose the bathtub to spread a garment or blanket out more. The part that curls definitely needs to be laid flat, in case I needed to say that. ● This (decrimping with heat) can actually eliminate some skin irritation, or a lot, in those who are non-allergic, but "sensitive" to "scratchy/ itchy" yarn products. ● Any heat above WARM, i.e. steaming, or a dryer or iron set on anything higher than Permanent Press or Synthetics*, such as COTTON/ HEAVY DUTY/ HOT setting, will change the crimp that is deliberately produced in the Manufacturing of acrylic yarn to mimic cotton or wool at the Factory. ● When the boiling hot solution is extruded through the spinnerette, a Cold shot of aerosolized water is sprayed at the fiber strand to produce a crimp to resemble either cotton or wool "staple"**. ● Acrylic is brittle at cold temperatures, so that is why cold wash is not recommended. It is the very reason Warm Wash is recommended. As I've said, acrylic is temperature sensitive. ● Any heat above WARM or Permanent Press/Synthetics setting will change the crimp to decrease the loft/ fluff/ bounciness of acrylic yarn. ● This is why steam blocking pretty much Permanently Presses acrylic yarn into submission, and makes it limper, aka "drapier". ● If any pressure is applied by a steam iron - if anybody is thinking of using an iron*** - that will depress the fabric and permanently press it into near flatness. If that is the look you're going for, go for it. I have used it to produce an effect on a stitch to make it look like those flattened link bracelets you see. * A HOT dryer can actually permanently wrinkle acrylic garments and blankets, because as the dryer goes into a cool down cycle, it permanently presses the wrinkles into your garments. **Staple(s) is an industry term for the fuzz you pull off of cotton ball, or, the down that comes from close to the animal skin in the case of wool. Staples is graded on its length which is why you pay a higher price for certain cotton and wool goods. *** Ironing: don't use a setting above the highest Synthetic setting - and use a Teflon or terry cloth (or flannel, if you must, but doubled/folded to be thicker) pressing cloth.
I was just coming to say steam blocking works. The only time I don't steam block is on scarves because I actually like the look of the little curl at the ends. You can also add tassels to stop the curl on some projects, especially scarves and throws.
I am 75 years old, I remember when Tunisian crochet was the aphgan stitch. I love your videos, I love your explanations and delivery, I love watching you work, and I love trying out new stitches. Do you have any videos that show how to recover from a mistake? Example: mess up the mesh stitch with the yarn overs, how to recover without ripping out all the way back for a do over. I wish you all the best. You have given an old knitter a whole new set of options.
What helps me combat curl is to draw up my forward pass loop enough that my hook can lay along the top edge of my piece. For me, this also helps blocks be more consistent in size between the different stitches.
It comes at the best time ! Recently, thanks to your vids I started practicing the basic Tunisian Stitch Pattern, before moving on to the Smock Stitch and after I finished my swatch, it was all curled up !
If you've got a lot of curl you can modify the border method and work the border on the top and bottom edges into the closest row of bumps on the back to pull it in the other direction
Several years ago I took 2 classes in Tunisian crochet. One for a lacy scarf and the other for a cable scarf. To "help" with curling she had us to start thr first row in the back hump rather than the normal stitch. It seemed to help. I absolutely love your podcasts and look forward to each new one. I am 83 and still enjoy crocheting as well as other fiber arts. Thanks for all you do and so sweetly, too.😊❤
Thanks for sharing that tip with us, and I'm so happy that you enjoy my channel. My wish is that I can continue to enjoy crochet all my life, as you have 💛
Thank you so much for all the information that you provided. I found your post to be very educational and very very helpful. I'm getting ready to start a big project for my granddaughter a blanket and I'm thinking that I'm going to use the honeycomb stitch it seems to lay the flattest.
Thank you for covering this topic! My current WIP is a Tunisian sweater for my husband that mixes simple rib stitch, rows of simple stitches, and honeycomb. The honeycomb corrects the curl for the most part, but at first it was driving me crazy. I've not tried facedown, so I will try this 😊
Im a very young crocheter, and this is my second video ive watched by you. You inspire me a lot, youve found yourself a new subscriber! I got one of these hooks from my special ED teacher and its a 5.5M (according to them) so i was looking for some good help! Your channel helped out a lot, thanks! Have you tried doing HDC? I found a stitch that wont curl even with my small hook! ❤ Keep up the good work 💪🎉
I discovered the Tunesian Crochet Bump Stitch (where you go in from the top bump) and I instantly fell in love with it because it completely removed the curling for me while still looking like a beautiful textured pattern. :)
I never knew there were so many different stitches in Tunisian crochet. Thank you for your ideas. Love them. I may give tunisi a n crochetvanother shot.
You are so right about the curl 😵 I hate making something and it has that burrito roll going on 😱 I had used a size bigger hook for the first row, added a border but my favorite is steam blocking 🥰 Thanks for all the examples and that beautiful shawl 🥰
100% honesty I use exercise mats (cheaper than "blocking" mats and the same but bigger) and quilting pins to block lol. At some point in the not so far future I will get some blocking pins but for now I have not done enough projects to invest in the "special" tools. The quilting pins I have are thick enough they haven't caused any problems.
I just came across your videos and they are delightful. You are an extraordinary teacher (knowledgeable , entertaining, simple explanations and very entertaining.) My question - what is the name/manufacturer of the steam blocker you used?
Thank you for posting this informative video. I've started to crochet with this technique only recently and have found your videos on Tunisian crochet very helpful. Have you tried the Modified Simple Stitch as demonstrated by Kim Guzman on her UA-cam channel Crochet Kim? I've crocheted a small swatch with the stitch and it seems to do what she claims it will do!
I use a hook almost twice the size recommended on the yarn. It only become too 'open' if you use 'the wrong' yarn, meaning not fluffy. 😂 If I would need to use a smaller hook and it did curl, I'd make the first one or two rows as a rib, 1simple/1purl. But basically the curl is caused, by not using a hook size big enough, which forces the double thread through the loops, without giving them space to move. Og, and I'd never use pure acrylic for tunisian, which means easy blocking or just stretching the first time I wash it 😊
Wow. You make it look so easy. My next project is the honeycomb something. Not sure what but it’s going to be honeycomb. Thanks for sharing. 💕 all of your platforms.
I dont do tunisian, but Ive had this problem with the Alpine stitch. I increased my hook to a 6.5 mm which is also kinder to my arthritic joints. I increased the loop height and its better, but still not flat. I also found this happens on my sweater ribbing (fpdc, alt, dc). Ive added a row of sc which helps it stay flat. You really only gave 2 tips, since changing stitches doesnt fix the problem. I dont block my sweaters. I find just hanging them up will help its shape. Besides,
Thanks alot for these tips! I'm making the Pilson baby blanket for my nephew-to-be so this info will come in handy. I have to say that I am loving tunisian crochet and this project so thank you for the inspiration to try this out. The blanket is Winnie the Pooh themed - so blocks of gold, red, blue and orange with a cream tweed base color - loving it ❤❤❤. Thanks again and take care. Kris K from Connecticut ❤🧶🌞
That's a beautiful wrap. I love Tunisian crochet too and I often reference your videos for reminders and tips. I have already subscribed for a while now. However, your pupper is adorable and should cameo more. But I am a biased dog lover. I currently have 4.
Thank you for this the video popped up in my feed as I am new to Tunisian crochet and working on my first blanket, was talking about the curl and as if by magic this video appeared.😂 Not magic really I know our phones listen to us. Hope these tips sort my wonky blanket out 😂
Bought myself a steamer!!! 😀 I have done some projects that need steaming so I will get mine in a week. Love your videos Toni and I have only crouched with Happy Place since that yarn came out. I love the feel and the colours. Curious about the hooks you will make and wish you good luck with them. /Linda
You are awesome thank you so much first time I'm looking your website and you're very good I have a problem with Tunisian crochet it's going to help me a lot❤💯
The method I use is the border method. I live in a remote region in the Andes and don't have enough electricity for a garment steamer. That does look like the best option, though. Thank you so much for all of your great tips, hacks, yarn reviews, and tutorials. Blessings 🙌
if you were to make a full size Tunisian blanket, how would you be able to reduce the curling there if you don't have enough blocking boards to block the entire thing?
Hi Toni, this is just the information I have been looking for😀 I have been crocheting for a while but only recently started Tunisian crochet and definitely been having curl issues lol. I would like to try Tunisian crochet in the round for a garment, do you have a tutorial? Love your channel and your enthusiasm ♥
Thank you. You are a life saver with these tips. Adding a border and pulling up the loop and keeping my return pass loose has helped. You are my #TunisianCrochetQueen Thank you
Here are a few video ideas i would love to see you do: - Tunisian borders - Mosaic or especially Tunisian Mosaic - Wall art or home decor - Socks 😊 💖🐝🌸
With Tunisian crocheting can you only make blocks or can you make longer rows? Blankets? I have not seen any tutorials making bigger than the crochet needle
thank you for this video! i was just trying another tunisian crochet stitch (the smock stitch) and the advice about lifting your loops helped instantly!
I love your videos. I've seen a video to cure the curl by reversing the simple stitch. I'm not sure if I understand how to do that . I wasn't sure if you flip the work and then do the simple stitch on the back or if ther is a different way to do reverse simple stitch. thank you.
Does anyone know what to do if a finished crochet project keeps stretching when it’s worn? I think some stretching is just the nature of the project, but is there anyway to fix it?
Toni, what an absolutely wonderful video! You are right about Tunisian - it is fun to work on, but that curl can drive you nuts! Excellent suggestions (some I've heard of before, but your explanations are terrific - you are such an excellent teacher, by the way). I was also delighted to see all of the beautiful Tunisian stitches you shared, many of which I haven't done before. That honeycomb - oh my! My "go to" with Tunisian has always been a pattern from Red Heart called "Trip Around the World - it was basically an entrelac, checkerboard-type pattern that started in the center and you worked your way around (using the Tunisian simple stitch), changing colors on each round. I have made several afghans using this pattern and gifted them. Only seven stitches on each block, so I didn't even have to use a Tunisian hook. Another UA-camr used it as a tutorial, and he also developed a border (still using Tunisian) that filled in the corners, and that greatly helped the curling, so I absolutely recommend a border to help with the curling. And thanks for the explanation on steam blocking - I need to get a foam blocking board and some pins as I'm working on a granny square afghan now (regular double crochet) and it will need to be blocked before I put it together. As always, many thanks!😃
The curl can be useful, made a tunisian crochet rectangle then with the curl it was used as a prop in a school play as it curled up like a scroll should.
Well done. Ty so much. There's 1 might work too for you. Extended tss . A tss then pull through the horizontal bar pulling a sl st thru. If it gives too much weight just throw one in as needed every other or every 3rd st. Sort of picture it like a loose bind off simple stitch. Give it a try and see. Swatch it out 1st .
Interesting. There's a stitch I use (for flattening the curl) which I ALSO call Extended Tunisian Simple Stitch, but I'm not sure whether it is the same as yours. With mine, you do a TSS, and then you chain 1. Then you do the next TSS and so on.
I would love to know how long you spent on swatching for this video 🤣 I made the mistake of wet-blocking a sweater too and I still haven't been able to bring myself to rip out stitches to make it fit again. I'll get there eventually...solidarity sista XD
I’ve been crocheting for 32 years and Tunisian crocheting for about 6 months. I have always found blocking to be very effective for shaping all sorts of items. I don’t have blocking matts or those nifty looking pin blocking things but I think I’m gonna put those on my wish list!
Thank you, Toni! I'm a long-time crocheter, and recently took a Tunisian crochet workshop. But the project curled so much that I dropped Tunisian. Wish the instructor had given these tips YEARS ago! I still have 1 Tunisian hook left - maybe I'll try again. Great tips - especially blocking acrylic with steam!
![25+ CROCHET HACKS FOR BEGINNERS [Pro-Tips from a Crocheter with 20 Years Experience]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oDHqT_rYMlM/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm about to start a big Tunisian crochet project and was just planning on extensive blocking. Maybe I need to delay a day to see the results of these experiments
Hope this video helped in deciding on the right method to deal with the curl in your project :-)
You have unterrified me of blocking. I tried it (and failed) once. I am now going to steal my mom's garment steamer!! She doesn't use it anymore (a retired alteration specialist) anyway. All the blessing to you! You never fail to inspire me.
You got this, babe! Blocking is so simple and truly crucial to getting the most out of the things we make. I'm sure your mom is grateful that her steamer is being put to good use 🙂
I had no idea to have the project face down while blocking. The aha moment.😊
I use the size up, borders, the flck and the blocking methods on all my projects.
That shawl is gorgeous on you. Your outfit helps highlight your beautiful complection.
Keep up with the wonderful work!!
BTW I learn tunisian crochet from you. Due to some health issues regular crochet was aggravating my wrists. Doing tunisian crochet is easier on my wrists.
I'm so grateful that you enjoy my channel, and happy to hear that Tunisian crochet is a gentler way to get your stitches in. Happy stitching, my dear!
You are simply fabulous!! I learned Tunisian crochet from you and love the technique. I love how you share your experiences which only leads to growth. You are definitely my favorite and most accomplished crochet artiste!! Carry on!❣️❣️❣️
Awwww wow! Thank you so much, this means so much to me. We can all learn from each other and I'm glad that you find value in the videos I make. xoxo
The wrong side of that basket weave is just as pretty as the front.
Sweetie I just found this and....I LOVE YOU! Thank you! (I subscribed as fast as my finger could tap. )
I just wanted you to know how much joy I felt seeing you pop up in my feed. 🥰
I’ve been trying to learn crochet since I was pregnant with my daughter but I could never get the hang of it. I found your videos a few months ago and I FINALLY got it! I really love Tunisian, and I’ve been able to teach my now 10 year old daughter who also loves it! ❤
SQUEEEEE! I love hearing that! Keep up your practice - it only gets better with time. And to hear that your daughter is into crochet now, too, warms my heart!! I love that you're sharing this craft together and making so many memories. Keep it up!!
I really love your experiment tutorials like this! I mean I'm sitting here with headphones on and nodding my head and saying out loud, "yes!" lol. I don't enjoy blocking but I agree with you, don't just stop after doing all that work! I love how thorough you are and I mean you just really reached me here! One of these days I'm going to send you some of my hand dyed yarn to review and I'd love to see how my yarn looks worked up and blocked!
Three times I have tried Tunisian but it curls. I love it perhaps I can start again on her advice😊
I tried Tunisian crochet in the 80's. I still have the hook (hook on both ends). Without someone to show me, I failed miserably. I have been crocheting since I was 9, and I love it. I saw your UA-cam video on learning Tunisian in 15 minutes. I dug out that new but old hook and gave it a go. I'm hooked! (Pun intended)😊. Thanks for giving me something new to add to my love of crochet!
P.s. I've subscribed and liked your channel. Yay!!!! 🎉
Yayy! So glad I could help you put that new/old hook to good use ;-) Keep it up, there's so much to explore in Tunisian crochet 🙌
Always a fantastic and to the point video! You have taught me so much and I’m 1.5 year into crocheting and a week into Tunisian crochet and I’m obsessed!
I use a border around my project and then blocking. I am extremely careful not to touch my acrylic fibers with the steamer as I ruined my first acrylic project I used the steamer on. The only option I was not aware of, is the one where you pull the loop of your forward pass stitches up. To be honest, I am never worried about the curling as I know blocking would take care of it. 💟💟
Sorry, I had to repeat here as I tried to finish my question that I accidentally hit enter and there is an emoji sidebar over the dots to edit my comment.
Anyway back to what I was trying to find out. I am making my first sweater ever, it is also my first Tunisian project. I am using the knit stitch. In a previous video I watched this morning you were talking about getting a straight edge completely around the project. I started with using the back bump to get that v, my right side was perfect but the left side although straight wasn't getting the perfect v like the right. In that video you demonstrated how I can get that, thank you! My next question is why is my tension tighter and smaller on both sides the right is a little tighter and smaller than the left, and both tighter and smaller than the middle?
I am not concerned with the curl as I will be joining the edges. At the bottom, I did the rib stitch (FPDC, BPDC every other stitch) I used a K hook to chain, a J hook to do the ribbing, and an L Tunisian hook for the knit stitch for the main body of work. I do find I do the extra pull-up on the stitch like you just demonstrated here as one of the examples to stop the curl. I know I do crochet on the smaller, tighter side because I like a tighter weave, so I was trying to compensate for my propensity for tighter stitching.
I want to thank you so much for making these videos and for all the others you created for us. I also bought the Tunisian crochet hooks that you partnered with Sewrella. I absolutely love them! I have never in my life paid that much for a tool for my hobby. It was a luxury gift I gave myself for over forty years of crocheting. They were absolutely what I was looking for and wasn't finding. I like Susan Bates's hooks over Boyle because the head has a better point on it instead of being rounded. I really like metal over plastic and wood. I bought bamboo hooks but found they don't have a deep enough neck and I was constantly losing the yarn when pulling through. So, thank you for designing the almost perfect Tunisian hooks. As you pointed out they would have been perfect if the flexible tube didn't twist while crocheting.
I love how you seem to know exactly what we all need and the experience and knowledge you share are so invaluable for all of us. I don't know how you do it, but your videos come when I seem to have a project that I need help with. You have a knack of explaining it that is so easy to follow.
Now if you haven't done a video yet or if you have made a video about how to read and write patterns. I am trying to write the pattern for my first sweater that I am doing without a pattern to follow as it is in my head. I have tried following patterns but I usually go off-script after getting a basic idea of it. If you have already made a video covering this topic please point it out to me. Because I find trying to write down what I am doing ends up in chaos.
Thank you again! For sharing your love and enthusiasm for crocheting and that beautiful smile. I find you say just enough without being too wordy like some creators and still get your point across. You're just so easy to listen to. I love that!
My wife is coming back to Crochet and I found you for her. I am so glad to watch this with her because, I now know why my cotton😂 T shirts roll up from the bottom in the front; thread tension. You content is awesome and your presentation is even better. You make me smile as you talk. Such a good human. Thank you for the lessons and information. We are sub 159k
Oh so you place it FACE DOWN! I'll be sure to try that with the sweater I'm working on right now! Thanks for the tip!
First time seeing your presentation. Well done. 85 yr old male.
Sis! Turning the project upside down is a total lightbulb moment! I never thought to do that. Thank you!
It made a world of difference for me. Hope it helps you too!
I wonder how many people subscribed because your dog is cute! 😂
I love your new wrap .😍
My go-to stitch for flattening out the curl is (takes deep breath) Offset Alternating Front and Back Extended Tunisian Simple Stitch. It's not as difficult as it sounds! And it makes a lovely woven texture which is reversable. Here's how you do it:
1. Do a TSS.
2. Chain 1 (that's the "extended" part)
3. Next stitch, do a Back TSS -- that is, instead of going through the front vertical bar, go around the back through the back vertical bar. (that's the "Alternating Front and Back" part)
4. Chain 1 (again, the "extended" part)
5. Repeat from Step 1 until the end of the row, where you do your usual edge stitch. Then chain 1.
6. Do a standard Return Pass.
7. Next row, you start with a Back TSS (that's the "offset" part) instead of a Front TSS, and continue on in the same Alternating way.
Whoa! I'll definitely have to give that a try. From the sound of it, you're really onto something. Thanks for sharing with us!
@@TLYarnCrafts Thank you! I'd love to find out if it works for you.
Tunisian Crochet, the only time Taquitos will ever kill a vibe
I’m working on a rug using bernat maker yarn, not doing Tunisian. But the first 17 rows are single crochet and the edge is curling 😢 I’m hoping this info might help my problem too…🤔
Some Textile Industry knowledge and crafting experience on Acrylic Fiber, plus, a parenthetical statement with ▪ marks the spot of how I like to work my Tunisian to avoid the curl :
● Instead of steaming, you can just give acrylic a HOT bath with fabric softener and produce the same effect; lay it flat to dry on the right side/face of it the first time. You may even have to put some double folded towel weight upon it. Doubtful you'd ever have to do it this way again. . . But don't quote me. I've only done a couple or three of my Tunisian projects this way and they were done with an H or I size hook ( ▪ I do one to three rows of purl stitch first, to avoid the curling problem in the first place - why fix when you can avoid - I also bend and pull my project around my hook to pull all of those front threads forward so that I do not get a big build-up of laxnesss in my Loops back there. As I work my stitches, I try to make sure there is laxness on the front/in my "pull through" loops - but just enough to be able to work the stitches coming back without making them tight to avoid the curl).
● The length of time in which you bathe it can produce smoother and smoother yarn, as the crimp uncrimps due to the Heat because Acrylic is very Temperature Sensitive. Longer bath = less crimp ( unless your water cools off because the sink is made of man-made synthetic materials, not enamel or porcelain over iron). Due to the nature of Acrylic and what the heat does to it, you may want to choose the bathtub to spread a garment or blanket out more. The part that curls definitely needs to be laid flat, in case I needed to say that.
● This (decrimping with heat) can actually eliminate some skin irritation, or a lot, in those who are non-allergic, but "sensitive" to "scratchy/ itchy" yarn products.
● Any heat above WARM, i.e. steaming, or a dryer or iron set on anything higher than Permanent Press or Synthetics*, such as COTTON/ HEAVY DUTY/ HOT setting, will change the crimp that is deliberately produced in the Manufacturing of acrylic yarn to mimic cotton or wool at the Factory.
● When the boiling hot solution is extruded through the spinnerette, a Cold shot of aerosolized water is sprayed at the fiber strand to produce a crimp to resemble either cotton or wool "staple"**.
● Acrylic is brittle at cold temperatures, so that is why cold wash is not recommended. It is the very reason Warm Wash is recommended. As I've said, acrylic is temperature sensitive.
● Any heat above WARM or Permanent Press/Synthetics setting will change the crimp to decrease the loft/ fluff/ bounciness of acrylic yarn.
● This is why steam blocking pretty much Permanently Presses acrylic yarn into submission, and makes it limper, aka "drapier".
● If any pressure is applied by a steam iron - if anybody is thinking of using an iron*** - that will depress the fabric and permanently press it into near flatness. If that is the look you're going for, go for it. I have used it to produce an effect on a stitch to make it look like those flattened link bracelets you see.
* A HOT dryer can actually permanently wrinkle acrylic garments and blankets, because as the dryer goes into a cool down cycle, it permanently presses the wrinkles into your garments.
**Staple(s) is an industry term for the fuzz you pull off of cotton ball, or, the down that comes from close to the animal skin in the case of wool. Staples is graded on its length which is why you pay a higher price for certain cotton and wool goods.
*** Ironing: don't use a setting above the highest Synthetic setting - and use a Teflon or terry cloth (or flannel, if you must, but doubled/folded to be thicker) pressing cloth.
I’m working on your Westmont shawl right now and I love that it alternates the simple stitch sections and the mesh stitch sections to fight the curl!
That's one of my favorite patterns! So glad you enjoy it :-)
When I first learned Tunisian Crochet, I was told if your foundation row is done using the Purl Stitch, that would help stop the curl from the bottom.
I was just coming to say steam blocking works. The only time I don't steam block is on scarves because I actually like the look of the little curl at the ends. You can also add tassels to stop the curl on some projects, especially scarves and throws.
Thank you. This is excellent. Two of my friends and I are learning TC right now. This is perfect for us to delete the curl!
Just seeing you for the 1st time (tension curling) Love you personality
So glad the algorithm shared my video with you and that you enjoyed it. Come back anytime!!
I am 75 years old, I remember when Tunisian crochet was the aphgan stitch. I love your videos, I love your explanations and delivery, I love watching you work, and I love trying out new stitches. Do you have any videos that show how to recover from a mistake? Example: mess up the mesh stitch with the yarn overs, how to recover without ripping out all the way back for a do over.
I wish you all the best. You have given an old knitter a whole new set of options.
What helps me combat curl is to draw up my forward pass loop enough that my hook can lay along the top edge of my piece. For me, this also helps blocks be more consistent in size between the different stitches.
I hope to come back to tunisian crochet! love your videos, so informative!
I hope you do! It's so fun and has totally sucked me in. If there's a video I can make to convince you, let me know!!
You make the most beautiful patterns, and such informative videos! Thank you.
Happy Saturday!
It comes at the best time ! Recently, thanks to your vids I started practicing the basic Tunisian Stitch Pattern, before moving on to the Smock Stitch and after I finished my swatch, it was all curled up !
don't you just hate when that happens?! grrrrr!! Hope some of these tips are helpful for you
If you've got a lot of curl you can modify the border method and work the border on the top and bottom edges into the closest row of bumps on the back to pull it in the other direction
Several years ago I took 2 classes in Tunisian crochet. One for a lacy scarf and the other for a cable scarf. To "help" with curling she had us to start thr first row in the back hump rather than the normal stitch. It seemed to help. I absolutely love your podcasts and look forward to each new one. I am 83 and still enjoy crocheting as well as other fiber arts. Thanks for all you do and so sweetly, too.😊❤
Thanks for sharing that tip with us, and I'm so happy that you enjoy my channel. My wish is that I can continue to enjoy crochet all my life, as you have 💛
Thank you so much for all the information that you provided. I found your post to be very educational and very very helpful. I'm getting ready to start a big project for my granddaughter a blanket and I'm thinking that I'm going to use the honeycomb stitch it seems to lay the flattest.
You are adorable...& so is Pepperoni! Thanks for encouraging me to try Tunisian techniques! Much love...& yes, I subscribed! ❤
Thank you for covering this topic! My current WIP is a Tunisian sweater for my husband that mixes simple rib stitch, rows of simple stitches, and honeycomb. The honeycomb corrects the curl for the most part, but at first it was driving me crazy. I've not tried facedown, so I will try this 😊
Sounds like this video popped up right on time! Hope some of the tips are helpful :-)
Im a very young crocheter, and this is my second video ive watched by you.
You inspire me a lot, youve found yourself a new subscriber!
I got one of these hooks from my special ED teacher and its a 5.5M (according to them) so i was looking for some good help! Your channel helped out a lot, thanks!
Have you tried doing HDC? I found a stitch that wont curl even with my small hook! ❤ Keep up the good work 💪🎉
I discovered the Tunesian Crochet Bump Stitch (where you go in from the top bump) and I instantly fell in love with it because it completely removed the curling for me while still looking like a beautiful textured pattern. :)
I never knew there were so many different stitches in Tunisian crochet. Thank you for your ideas. Love them. I may give tunisi a n crochetvanother shot.
I hope you do! Everyone I know who tries it loves it. There's always a new stitch to learn or a technique to try :-)
You are so right about the curl 😵 I hate making something and it has that burrito roll going on 😱 I had used a size bigger hook for the first row, added a border but my favorite is steam blocking 🥰 Thanks for all the examples and that beautiful shawl 🥰
100% honesty I use exercise mats (cheaper than "blocking" mats and the same but bigger) and quilting pins to block lol. At some point in the not so far future I will get some blocking pins but for now I have not done enough projects to invest in the "special" tools. The quilting pins I have are thick enough they haven't caused any problems.
I just came across your videos and they are delightful. You are an extraordinary teacher (knowledgeable , entertaining, simple explanations and very entertaining.) My question - what is the name/manufacturer of the steam blocker you used?
Very informative, but I had a hard time concentrating on your technique. Your nails are so pretty and I was mesmerized by them. Lol
Thank you for posting this informative video. I've started to crochet with this technique only recently and have found your videos on Tunisian crochet very helpful. Have you tried the Modified Simple Stitch as demonstrated by Kim Guzman on her UA-cam channel Crochet Kim? I've crocheted a small swatch with the stitch and it seems to do what she claims it will do!
I use a hook almost twice the size recommended on the yarn. It only become too 'open' if you use 'the wrong' yarn, meaning not fluffy. 😂
If I would need to use a smaller hook and it did curl, I'd make the first one or two rows as a rib, 1simple/1purl. But basically the curl is caused, by not using a hook size big enough, which forces the double thread through the loops, without giving them space to move.
Og, and I'd never use pure acrylic for tunisian, which means easy blocking or just stretching the first time I wash it 😊
Wow. You make it look so easy.
My next project is the honeycomb something. Not sure what but it’s going to be honeycomb.
Thanks for sharing. 💕 all of your platforms.
I dont do tunisian, but Ive had this problem with the Alpine stitch. I increased my hook to a 6.5 mm which is also kinder to my arthritic joints. I increased the loop height and its better, but still not flat. I also found this happens on my sweater ribbing (fpdc, alt, dc). Ive added a row of sc which helps it stay flat. You really only gave 2 tips, since changing stitches
doesnt fix the problem. I dont block my sweaters. I find just hanging them up will help its shape. Besides,
Thanks alot for these tips! I'm making the Pilson baby blanket for my nephew-to-be so this info will come in handy. I have to say that I am loving tunisian crochet and this project so thank you for the inspiration to try this out. The blanket is Winnie the Pooh themed - so blocks of gold, red, blue and orange with a cream tweed base color - loving it ❤❤❤. Thanks again and take care. Kris K from Connecticut ❤🧶🌞
Your fur baby is precious, and I ordered the AliExpress tunisian hook set - just waiting for confirmation that it's shipped.
That's a beautiful wrap. I love Tunisian crochet too and I often reference your videos for reminders and tips. I have already subscribed for a while now. However, your pupper is adorable and should cameo more. But I am a biased dog lover. I currently have 4.
Thank you for this the video popped up in my feed as I am new to Tunisian crochet and working on my first blanket, was talking about the curl and as if by magic this video appeared.😂 Not magic really I know our phones listen to us. Hope these tips sort my wonky blanket out 😂
Bought myself a steamer!!! 😀 I have done some projects that need steaming so I will get mine in a week. Love your videos Toni and I have only crouched with Happy Place since that yarn came out. I love the feel and the colours.
Curious about the hooks you will make and wish you good luck with them. /Linda
Where's the link to the steamer??
In the description ❤
@@TLYarnCrafts I swear I reread the description looking for it like four times before asking! But I found it now, thank you.
You are awesome thank you so much first time I'm looking your website and you're very good I have a problem with Tunisian crochet it's going to help me a lot❤💯
The method I use is the border method. I live in a remote region in the Andes and don't have enough electricity for a garment steamer. That does look like the best option, though.
Thank you so much for all of your great tips, hacks, yarn reviews, and tutorials.
Blessings 🙌
Hello, I just made a lapghan in the Tunisian plain stitch but I didn’t make it wide enough. Does anyone know what can I do about this?
if you were to make a full size Tunisian blanket, how would you be able to reduce the curling there if you don't have enough blocking boards to block the entire thing?
Hi Toni, this is just the information I have been looking for😀 I have been crocheting for a while but only recently started Tunisian crochet and definitely been having curl issues lol. I would like to try Tunisian crochet in the round for a garment, do you have a tutorial? Love your channel and your enthusiasm ♥
If you are making squares can you block after you connect them? I have tried Tunisian but is my bugaboo! Your dog is adorable and Ty ❤
Thank you. You are a life saver with these tips. Adding a border and pulling up the loop and keeping my return pass loose has helped. You are my #TunisianCrochetQueen Thank you
Ive been learning crochet for the last few months. I'm trying to make a baby blanket and its just twisting 😅
My cat turned around from my yarn tail to watching along with me ❤ I am loving Tunisian crochet so thank you for introducing me!
Fantasitic video !!! Thabks ansni love your experiential passion
Here are a few video ideas i would love to see you do:
- Tunisian borders
- Mosaic or especially Tunisian Mosaic
- Wall art or home decor
- Socks 😊
💖🐝🌸
😂 I was using a 3.75 hook for a yarn that recommended 5.5 😅
With Tunisian crocheting can you only make blocks or can you make longer rows? Blankets? I have not seen any tutorials making bigger than the crochet needle
I never had success with blocking acrylic yarn. Now I know, i need to steam block.
thank you for this video! i was just trying another tunisian crochet stitch (the smock stitch) and the advice about lifting your loops helped instantly!
Oh me. I just love you. You make it so simple. Thank you.❤❌⭕❌⭕❤
Hi Toni, Where would I buy the Tunisian need? @TL Yarn Crafts
I love your videos. I've seen a video to cure the curl by reversing the simple stitch. I'm not sure if I understand how to do that . I wasn't sure if you flip the work and then do the simple stitch on the back or if ther is a different way to do reverse simple stitch. thank you.
You’re a ROCK STAR and I’m so glad I found you! 🫶🏼
Right back at cha!!
Does anyone know what to do if a finished crochet project keeps stretching when it’s worn? I think some stretching is just the nature of the project, but is there anyway to fix it?
Toni, what an absolutely wonderful video! You are right about Tunisian - it is fun to work on, but that curl can drive you nuts! Excellent suggestions (some I've heard of before, but your explanations are terrific - you are such an excellent teacher, by the way). I was also delighted to see all of the beautiful Tunisian stitches you shared, many of which I haven't done before. That honeycomb - oh my! My "go to" with Tunisian has always been a pattern from Red Heart called "Trip Around the World - it was basically an entrelac, checkerboard-type pattern that started in the center and you worked your way around (using the Tunisian simple stitch), changing colors on each round. I have made several afghans using this pattern and gifted them. Only seven stitches on each block, so I didn't even have to use a Tunisian hook. Another UA-camr used it as a tutorial, and he also developed a border (still using Tunisian) that filled in the corners, and that greatly helped the curling, so I absolutely recommend a border to help with the curling. And thanks for the explanation on steam blocking - I need to get a foam blocking board and some pins as I'm working on a granny square afghan now (regular double crochet) and it will need to be blocked before I put it together. As always, many thanks!😃
Oooo thanks for the heads up on the entrelac blanket - I'll have to check that out. I haven't tried that technique from the center out!!
I would like some books to help me do more than the very basic tunisian. Could you please recommend some good ones?
I just got some Tunisian/ Afghan hooks today! Yay!
This was amazing! Loved all the work that went into this!
When you wash the article will you have to block again.
I put a crochet hook across the corner to combat the curl . And the end i border it and it lays flat i do the Tunisian enterlac
the basketweave with Tss & Tps doesn't curl either...
The curl can be useful, made a tunisian crochet rectangle then with the curl it was used as a prop in a school play as it curled up like a scroll should.
Does the one with the border curl if you flick it? The flick test wasn't shown for that swatch but I like how "finished" it looks with a border
No, that one did not curl :-)
Most of my Tunisian crochet is for dishcloths so they are wet anyway and will dry flat.
Why does it take so long so much talk just show us mich like your crafts
Well done. Ty so much. There's 1 might work too for you. Extended tss . A tss then pull through the horizontal bar pulling a sl st thru. If it gives too much weight just throw one in as needed every other or every 3rd st. Sort of picture it like a loose bind off simple stitch. Give it a try and see. Swatch it out 1st .
Interesting. There's a stitch I use (for flattening the curl) which I ALSO call Extended Tunisian Simple Stitch, but I'm not sure whether it is the same as yours. With mine, you do a TSS, and then you chain 1. Then you do the next TSS and so on.
I would love to know how long you spent on swatching for this video 🤣 I made the mistake of wet-blocking a sweater too and I still haven't been able to bring myself to rip out stitches to make it fit again. I'll get there eventually...solidarity sista XD
Giiiiirl! I spent more time swatching than I did recording! Worth it tho, I think this video will be helpful for a lot of people :-)
You're so cute and I Love your head/hair wrap.
I literally started my first Tunisian crochet project yesterday so this video is very well timed for me! Thanks for another great video!!
It was meant to be!!
Thanks for the video. I love love love the honeycomb stitch. Fell in love with it when making the lamia wrap!
It's definitely a favorite. It's just so darn pretty!
I just found you. I’m so happy. You are great
Purl stitch very little curl doing C2C.
I’ve been crocheting for 32 years and Tunisian crocheting for about 6 months. I have always found blocking to be very effective for shaping all sorts of items. I don’t have blocking matts or those nifty looking pin blocking things but I think I’m gonna put those on my wish list!
Would you ever do a video on how to fix a cut/tear in something tunisian crocheted? Say a blanket gets a hole in it from general use.
Oooo great idea! I'll look into some solutions :-)
I wish I could subscribe again!!
That was great! I was shocked when I saw how flat that swatch laid out at the end.
You and me both! Acrylic yarn takes incredibly well to blocking and I wish more makers would add it to their regimen 🙏
Thank you! Helpful as always.
Thank you, Toni! I'm a long-time crocheter, and recently took a Tunisian crochet workshop. But the project curled so much that I dropped Tunisian. Wish the instructor had given these tips YEARS ago! I still have 1 Tunisian hook left - maybe I'll try again. Great tips - especially blocking acrylic with steam!