Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 20

The final part of the Tunisian Patchwork CAL is here.

This week is the Border. It uses a few new stitches but I have put my new found video editing skills to use and there is a video to help you along. The link is in the pattern.

Here is a very quick recap of the stitches used in the CAL. As the CAL has now finished, the complete pattern is available from CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Sometimes I wonder . . . .

. . . just why I do these daft things!!!!

The last couple of weeks I have been on yet another steep learning curve-video editing!

I needed a video to help some of the people who were having problems making one of the blocks in the Tunisian Patchwork CAL.  After about 657 times of going wrong, cussing and starting all over again, I decided that I had to be brave and learn how to edit instead.

I asked on my lovely UKHKA Shop owners group for a free program suitable for absolute beginners and Capcut was recommended. My first couple of attempts were not wonderful but, finally, I started getting to grips with things and made this! It even has music!

There are lots of other videos over on my YouTube channel, most of which I didn't edit, if you fancy taking a look.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 19

How exciting is this?????

The penultimate part of the Tunisian Patchwork CAL, the last two blocks.

Block 30 is Stars This block uses a Star Stitch worked over 5 stitches. Using a single colour empasises the texture.

Block 31 is Sparkle Sparkle uses a Star Stitch worked over 3 stitches. Using different colours creates a firework effect.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 18

Block 28 is Knot St Knot stitch is a simple combination of Tss and Ttr but gives an interesting look.  The colour is changed at the end of the forward pass.

Block 29 is Staggered Clusters This block uses a new stitch - Ttr cluster.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Why is it called Tunisian Crochet?

Now that we are nearing the end of the Tunisian Patchwork CAL, I thought you may like to know where the name Tunisian Crochet came from.

Historical Background of Tunisian Crochet

Tunisian crochet first gained recognition in Western Europe during the early to mid-19th century—particularly in Britain and France—but its exact origins are not definitively known.  Like many textile arts, it's evolved from a mix of influences over centuries, and names often reflect cultural perceptions more than geographic accuracy. It is well known that Queen Victoria enjoyed the craft and it was called “Royal Princess Knitting” in her honour. We started seeing references to techniques resembling Tunisian crochet in women's magazines and needlework books in the 1830s–1840s.

It wasn’t always called "Tunisian" crochet though—other names included: Tricot crochet, Afghan stitch, Railroad knitting and Shepherd's knitting.

The name “Tunisian crochet” likely emerged in the Victorian era, a time when exotic-sounding names were popular in marketing.  Calling something "Tunisian" lent it an air of mystery and elegance, even if it had no real connection to Tunisia.

While there’s no solid evidence that the technique itself originated in Tunisia or North Africa, it’s possible that the visual texture of the fabric, which looks somewhat like weaving or traditional North African textiles, inspired the name.

Tunisian crochet has some similarities to: Nalbinding (an ancient Scandinavian technique), Knitting on hooked needles (seen in parts of the Middle East and Asia) and crochet-like stitches in Egyptian and North African textiles, though these are not directly linked.

So in essence, the "Tunisian" in Tunisian crochet is more Victorian branding than actual geography.

What is Tricot Crochet?

The term “tricot” comes from the French word for knitting, which hints at how this style of crochet was perceived in the 19th century—it was seen as a hybrid between knitting and crochet.  In early Victorian needlework books, tricot crochet referred to a technique where the stitch was picked up like knitting (holding loops on the hook), then worked off in a second pass—very much like modern Tunisian simple stitch (Tss).

It wasn’t limited to one stitch, but the simple stitch—what today we call the "Tunisian Simple Stitch"—was the foundation.

Evolution of the Name

In the Mid-1800s, “Tricot” crochet began appearing in instruction manuals alongside knitting and traditional crochet.  It was seen as a newfangled alternative—faster than knitting, sturdier than regular crochet.

Eventually, the technique began to take on regional and stylish names: “Tunisian crochet” (sounding exotic), “Afghan stitch” (popular in the US, especially in blanket-making) and “Shepherd’s knitting” (a more rustic, practical name).

Some books even used these names interchangeably, which makes the historical tracing a bit confusing. Victorian manuals like The Lady’s Manual of Fancy-Work (circa 1850s) included tricot crochet instructions, often accompanied by patterns for warm garments and household items like mittens, baby jackets, coverlets and blankets. The emphasis was on efficiency and texture—tricot crochet made dense, warm, and somewhat elastic fabrics, ideal for the drafty homes of the time.

Tricot crochet became popular because:

It mimicked knitting without needing two needles.
It was easier to learn for those who already knew crochet.
The resulting fabric had a woven look and didn’t curl as much as knitted stockinette.
And because it could be done with just one long hook, it was more portable—a huge bonus for women who travelled or worked in shared spaces.

Tricot Crochet vs. Tunisian Crochet?

They are, functionally, the same thing.  The terminology just shifted over time.  “Tricot” crochet was the earlier, European term while “Tunisian” crochet became the more widespread, modern label—especially in the English-speaking world.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 17

Block 27 is Cables Just one block this week - but it is a big one! The cables are created in a similar way to knitted cables where stitches are made and put on to a cable needle. More stitches are made and the stitches on the cable needle are put back on to the hook. A yoh is used between the 2 strands of the cable to make it easier to cross them. It is counted in the stitch count and is taken off as a regular st when closing but is not used when working the forward pass in the following row.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 16

Block 25 is Tunisian Full Stitch (Tfs) This is a brand new stitch. There is a separate photo tutorial available.

Block 26 is Dogtooth This block uses a combination of the stitch we have just learned and some we already know.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 15

Block 23 is Ripples This uses stitches we have already learned. The colour changes create the ripple effect.

Block 24 is Shells It uses basic Tss for putting the stitches on, although you do need to be careful where you pick them up. The pattern is created when taking the stitches off.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 14

Block 21 is Puff Hearts This stitch was chosen by one of my students. It uses a Tunisian Puff stitch which is very similar to its regular crochet counterpart.

Block 22 is Petals This makes use of the new stitch from Block 21 and combines it with a few others! You need to make sure that you follow the instructions carefully for this one.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 13

Block 19 is Slipped Stitch Slipping the stitches creates an unusual pattern that is simple to work. However, it can also make the rows closer together giving a shorter block.

Block 20 is Seed Stitch Seed Stitch is a combination of Tks and Trs to create the look of a traditional knitted seed stitch.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 12

Block 17 is Tunisian Reverse Stitch Tunisian Reverse Stitch (Trs) looks similar to Tunisian Purl Stitch (Tps). It is easier to work than Tps, more like Tss but working into the back loops.

Block 18 is Relief Hearts This uses a combination of Tks and Trs to create an almost shadow like effect.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 11

Block 15 is Honeycomb Honeycomb combines Tss and Tps in a different way to create an interesting pattern.

Block 16 is Cross Stitch This uses Tss in yet another way to create the pattern. This stitch can be a bit tighter to create a narrower block.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 10

Week 10 is all about joining the blocks. In a break from tradition, we are going to learn how to join the blocks half way through the CAL instead of at the end. For those who have never used Crab St before, there is a tutorial.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 9

Block 13 is Tunisian Purl Stitch (Tps). Another new stitch which closely resembles purl stitch in knitting.

Block 14 is Basket Weave. This block is made using a combination of Tks and Tps to create a traditional basket weave effect.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 8

Block 12 is Diamond Bobbles This block combines the techniques we learned in “Polish Star” and “Bobbles”. Make sure that you carefully read both picking up the loops and closing them before working each row.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 7

Block 7 is Polish Star This block looks complicated but isn’t! Tss is used to put the loops on and the loops are made on the closing. The hardest part is lacing up the loops at the end.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 6

Block 10 is Bobbles Bobbles are made using 3 Tunisian Double Trebles (Tdtr) in the same stitch then all 3 are taken off together.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL,RVCAL2025,CAL,

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 5

Block 8 is Tunisian Knit Stitch (Tks) This block teaches you a new stitch. For those who have not worked with Tunisian before, there is a separate photo tutorial to download.

Block 9 is Fans It uses stitches we have already learned combinined with the hook placement of Tks.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 4

Block 7 is Brick Stitch This is mostly Tss but uses Ttr (US-Tdc) to create the “Brick Wall” effect. The Ttr is worked in to the same colour 2 rows below and missing the Tss in the row directly below, so that you still have the same number of loops on your hook at the end.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 3

Block 5 is Tunisian Trebles (US - Tunisian Double Crochet) This block is a little looser than the most of the other blocks but works up really quickly.

Block 6 is Waves Another new stitch in this block. The important thing to remember is that most Tunisian stitches are the same as their regular counterparts but with the last but one loop left on the hook.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.