Modified Tunisian Crochet Return Pass for the Wee Bandana

The Wee Bandana by P. K. Olson is a wee slice of Tunisian beauty. This quick baby Tunisian crochet project makes a great gift. Plus, it’s the perfect bib option for those more dressed up occasions. Most of the pattern is pretty straightforward, but the modified return passes can be a little confusing at first. So, let’s take a closer look at the Wee Bandana Tunisian crochet return passes.

If you are new to Tunisian crochet, or are looking for a refresher before you begin your Wee Bandana, this post on Tunisian Crochet Stitches is a great introduction to Tunisian crochet hooks and stitches.

Why Use the Modified Return Pass?

The Tunisian modified return passes used in the Wee Bandana allow for the shaping of this baby bib. When you read through the instructions for both modified return passes, you will notice that, unlike a regular return pass, you don’t work all of the loops off the hook in the return pass. This allows you to build more stitches and height to one end of your project creating the shaping.

Let’s take the modified return pass 1 (mod RetP1) one step at a time.

Step-by-Step: Tunisian Crochet Modified Return Pass

1. *Yarn over and draw through 2 loops, and repeat from the * until you reach the first marker (M1). Your last yarn over and draw through 2 loops will include the loop your M1 is in.
2. Drop the working loop from your hook. Be careful that you don’t lose this loop. You can make it bigger and then tighten it onto the shaft again when you pick it up if that works better for you.
3. Insert your hook in the back horizontal bar of the next stitch. This is the stitch between the loop you dropped from your hook and the loop that is currently the first loop on your hook. I think of this like working a Tunisian stitch in the back loop only.

4. With your hook still inserted in that horizontal bar and that bar counting as a loop, place the dropped loop back on your hook.
5. Yarn over and draw through three loops on your hook. These three loops will be, in order, the loop you dropped and then picked up again, the horizontal bar that is now counted as a loop, and the next loop from the loops you picked up in the forward pass. Move the marker up 1 to what is now the first loop on the hook.
6. Leave the remaining loops or stitches on your hook and begin the forward pass of the next row. On the next forward pass, do not pick up the dropped loop or the horizontal bar you inserted your hook under.

You might be wondering the reason for this modified return pass. This ingenious little trick allows you to create the shaping of this bib without holes forming between stitches when you work that shaping.

Now you are ready for the modified return pass 2 (mod RetP 2). If you understand mod RetP 1, you’ll have no problem with mod RetP 2. If you compare the instructions of the two, you will notice that the only difference is that you perform the step of dropping a loop from your hook twice, inserting your hook in the back horizontal bar of the next foundation stitch, and placing the dropped loop back on your hook.

Give the Wee Bandana and its modified return pass a try! And be sure to check out my Top 5 Tunisian Crochet Tips for more Tunisian crochet tricks.

Happy crocheting,
Toni

Find more gorgeous Tunisian crochet from Interweave!