3 Double-Ended Tunisian Crochet Tips You Need to Know

You’ve gotten your Interweave Crochet Spring issue, and you’ve fallen in love. I have a crush on the Thistledown Top, too! With its dramatic cape like sleeves and gorgeous drape, this double-ended Tunisian crochet top is racking up fans and will soon be in hundreds of closets. Check out these three tips on doubled-ended Tunisian crochet and take a trip to your yarn stash (or local yarn store) for the perfect yarn. What color will you choose?

You may understand double-ended Tunisian crochet, and maybe you’ve tackled a Tunisian crochet project like the Citizen Pullover, Ubane Hat and Cowl, Somersault Cardigan or Betty’s Tunisian Tee. But these three double-ended Tunisian crochet tips will make crocheting the Thistledown Top easier and a lot more fun!

Know Your FwP from Your RetP

Tunisian crochet is created in two passes. The forward pass (FwP) is worked by picking up loops in each stitch across the row or round. These loops are left on the hook and not immediately worked off the hook. The return pass (RetP)works those loops off the hook by yarning over and drawing through 2 loops.

This is really easy if you are working across a row, but what if you are working in a round? When working Tunisian crochet in the round, you cannot work the entire FwP before starting the RetP. Believe me; I’ve tried–more on that in a minute. But because you can’t work the entire FwP with the right side facing before turning your work so the wrong side is facing and beginning your RetP, you will have to switch between FwP and RetP and turn your work from right side to wrong side and back again several times during each round.

This constant switching makes it easy to forget which side of your hook is working the FwP and which is working the RetP. When you are using a contrasting color, like for the Thistledown Top, it is a little easier to keep track. But I still like to mark my hook in some way to indicate the FwP end from the RetP.

Corral Your Yarn Balls

Working Tunisian crochet in the round will require two yarn balls. You may be using a main color and a contrasting color or two yarn balls in the same color, but in order to work the FwP and RetP at the same time, you will need two balls. If you have worked colorwork before, you know that your balls will spend the entire time plotting new ways to get wrapped and tangled around each other–especially if you are constantly turning your work from right side to wrong side and back.

Keep your yarn balls corralled in two yarn bowls, canisters, bags or even a couple of strainers. It’s a simple step that will save you plenty of time and frustration.

Don’t Fall Into the Trap of One More Stitch

The Thistledown Top pattern recommends working the FwP until the hook is either filled or cannot continue around the curve. Remember when I mentioned trying to work an entire FwP round on your hook before turning and working the RetP? Yes, I’ve tried it, and I’m here to save you from that disaster. You can break your hook, and your loops will become stretched if you keep trying to add just a few more FwP loops. So ignore the desire to keep adding FwP loops. When your hook starts to fill up or it begins to get difficult to maneuver the hook into the next stitch, turn your project and work the RetP.

Do You Have Double-Ended Tunisian Crochet Tips?

Have you decided what colors you are going to crochet your Thistledown Top in yet? I’d love to hear in the comments, along with your own tips for double-ended Tunisian crochet in the round. And don’t forget to get your copy of Interweave Crochet Spring. There are so many great patterns to fall in love with!

Happy crocheting,
Toni