Learn to Crochet - Tunisian Purl Stitch

I've been having entirely too much fun with Tunisian Crochet lately. After working up samples for the Tunisian Knit Stitch and the Tunisian Stockinette Stitch, I have moved on to the next logical stitch which is Tunisian Purl.

Just like in knitting, Tunisian Purl calls for the yarn to be held in front of the work for each stitch. Also similar to knitting, Tunisian Purl produces a row of little bumps, but it also retains the characteristic vertical bars of Basic Tunisian Knit Stitch. The fabric produced with Tunisian Purl is much softer than the other stitches we've covered so far, but the back side looks pretty much the same as the others.

It's a very pretty stitch as you can see in the picture...


This sample was worked onto the same piece as the Tunisian Stockinette sample which you can see at the bottom of the picture. Just like in knitting, Stockinette produces a vertical columns of 'V' shaped stitches and Purl produces horizontal rows of little bumps between which you can also see the vertical bars just like the Tunisian Knit or Afghan Stitch.

Here's a little video showing how to work Tunisian Purl. I hope you find it helpful.






Happy Stitching!

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Knitted Basketweave Stitch - Easy and Reversible

The Forest Greens baby blanket for the Northeast Oddball Baby Blanket group is finished and ready to be sent off for delivery. I was the last knitter on this blanket so today I thought I would share with you the stitch I used on it. It looks like a basketweave design and here it is...



These blankets are knit with 110 stitches, give or take a few. The first and last 3 rows and the first and last 3 stitches on every row are knit to create a garter stitch border around the whole piece. Each knitter works about a 4 inch section and then mails it to the next knitter until six sections have been completed. Then a border is crocheted around the outside of the whole thing to finish it off.

So this is a corner of the section I knitted on this blanket, called Forest Greens because it is worked in each knitter's choice of shades of greens. This was a very easy design to knit, simply alternating between knit and purl stitches across the rows, and then switching after 5 or 6 rows. An entire blanket could easily be knit this way creating a unique and reversible design.

Here's the pattern:

Cast on desired number of stitches and knit 3 rows for garter stitch border, or continue working on an established piece.

Knit 3. *Knit 10 (or any number), purl 10 (or any number)*. Continue from * to * across until 3 stitches remain. Knit 3.

Knit 3. Knit or purl stitches as they face you across the row until 3 stitches remain. Knit 3.

Continue knitting or purling stitches as they face you, working first and last 3 stitches of each row in knit, until you have worked the number of rows desired for the first section of blocks.

**To change over to the next section of blocks, knit 3. Purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches as they face you across the row until 3 stitches remain. Knit 3.

Continue knitting or purling stitches as they face you, working first and last 3 stitches of each row in knit, until you have worked the number of rows desired for the second section of blocks.**

Continue from ** to ** until the blanket is the desired size. Knit 3 rows for garter stitch border. Bind off.

For a larger afghan, I would suggest knitting the first and last 8 or 10 rows, and knitting the same number of stitches at the beginning of each row, for a more substantial garter stitch border. Then divide the remaining number of stitches into the desired size and use that number for the rows and stitches of each block.

This pattern would work up very quickly on large needles using bulky or chunky weight yarn and would definitely make a cozy afghan for a cold winter day. What a wonderful gift for yourself or some other lucky person.

This basketweave knit design is similar to what I used on my friend Jane's baby blanket many years ago, except that I did not make that one reversible. I did knit and purl stitches on the front to make the design, then I purled across every wrong side row. I much prefer a design that is reversible though, so this current basketweave pattern would be my choice from now on. Live and learn!

I also crocheted the border on Forest Greens, so if you like how the border looks in the above picture, stay tuned for that pattern later this week.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Knit -- Purl Stitch Video Tutorial

I like to think of the Purl Stitch in Knitting as the back side of the knit stitch. When you alternate knit and purl rows, you end up with the Stockinette Stitch which is that nice flat, vertical-line, almost braid-like fabric that is characteristic of knitting. I love the rhythm I get into when knitting a sweater back or some big piece in stockinette. I find it relaxing.

Anyway, enough jabber. Here's a video tutorial on how to do the Purl Stitch. I hope you find it helpful.

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