Are you looking for a rewarding and accessible knitting project? This guide will walk you through the steps to create a beautiful and snug Tunisian knit baby blanket. Inspired by a helpful tutorial from Knitting Life, this project is perfect for knitters of all skill levels who want to craft a special handmade gift or a lovely addition to their own home.

What is Tunisian Knitting?

Tunisian knitting, also known as Afghan crochet, is a fascinating technique that combines elements of both knitting and crochet. It utilizes a longer hook than traditional crochet and creates a fabric with a unique woven texture. The result is often denser and warmer than regular knitting or crochet, making it ideal for blankets.

Materials You'll Need:

While the video doesn't explicitly list the materials, you'll generally need the following for a baby blanket project:

  • Yarn: Choose a soft and baby-friendly yarn in your preferred color and weight. DK (double knit) or worsted weight yarn are popular choices for baby blankets as they offer a good balance of warmth and drape. Consider the yardage based on your desired blanket size.
  • Tunisian Crochet Hook: Select a Tunisian crochet hook size that corresponds to your chosen yarn weight. The hook will be longer than a standard crochet hook to accommodate the many loops held at once.
  • Cable Hook (Optional but Recommended): A cable hook of a similar size can be helpful for the return pass, especially for beginners.
  • Scissors: For trimming your yarn.
  • Tapestry Needle: For weaving in the yarn ends neatly.

Getting Started: The Foundation Row

  1. Begin by making a slip knot on your Tunisian crochet hook.
  2. Chain the desired width of your baby blanket. Remember that the number of chains will determine the width of your finished project.
  3. For the forward pass of the foundation row, insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Do not drop the loop from your hook.
  4. Repeat this process in each chain across. You will now have a series of loops on your hook.

Working the Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS):

The Tunisian knit stitch creates a lovely textured fabric that resembles traditional knitting.

  1. Forward Pass: Insert your hook from front to back between the vertical bars of the previous row. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Keep the loop on your hook. Repeat this across the entire row. You will end with the same number of loops on your hook as you had in the previous row.
  2. Return Pass: Yarn over and pull through the first loop on your hook. Then, yarn over and pull through two loops at a time. Repeat1 this process until only one loop remains on your hook. This loop is your first stitch of the next forward pass.

Continuing the Blanket:

Repeat the forward and return passes of the Tunisian knit stitch until your blanket reaches the desired length.

Binding Off:

Once your blanket is the desired size, you'll need to bind off to secure the stitches.

  1. Forward Pass Bind Off: Insert your hook from front to back between the vertical bars of the last row. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Slip stitch the loop through the loop already on your hook. Repeat this across the entire row. You will have one loop remaining on your hook.
  2. Cut your yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Pull the tail through the last loop to secure it.

Finishing Touches:

  1. Use your tapestry needle to weave in all loose yarn ends on the wrong side of your blanket. This will ensure a neat and durable finish.
  2. You can optionally add a border to your blanket using a simple crochet stitch like single crochet or a decorative edging of your choice.

Tips for Success:

  • Gauge: While not critical for a baby blanket, maintaining a consistent tension will result in a more even fabric.
  • Hook Size: Experiment with different hook sizes to achieve the fabric drape you desire. A larger hook will create a looser fabric, while a smaller hook will result in a denser fabric.
  • Practice: If you're new to Tunisian knitting, don't be discouraged if your first few rows look a little uneven. Practice makes perfect!

Creating a Tunisian knit baby blanket is a wonderful way to produce a unique and cherished item. By following these steps, you can enjoy the process of crafting something special with your own hands. Happy knitting!