Tunisian crochet (also called Afghan crochet) is a hybrid technique using a long hook to create fabric with knit-like texture. The hashtag grew in the early 2010s as fiber artists shared tutorials and modern pattern designs that reimagined the vintage technique.
Technique & Tools
Unlike regular crochet (which completes stitches immediately), Tunisian crochet works in two passes: forward pass (picking up loops) and return pass (working them off). Requires specialized long hooks (10-14 inches) or interchangeable cable hooks for larger projects.
Creates fabric with:
- Knit-like drape (unlike traditional crochet’s rigid texture)
- No curling edges (major advantage over stockinette knitting)
- Minimal row-end jog (cleaner color changes than crochet)
- Thicker fabric (uses more yarn than equivalent knit/crochet)
Modern Renaissance (2015-2020)
YouTube Education Era: Channels like MooglyBlog and TLYarnCrafts posted comprehensive stitch libraries (2014-2016). Free tutorials made the historically gatekept technique accessible to self-taught crafters.
Instagram Aesthetic: Younger makers adopted Tunisian for wearable garments (sweaters, cardigans, shawls) with modern colorwork. Hashtag surged from 50K posts (2015) to 400K+ (2020).
Design Innovation:
- Entrelac patterns (woven basket-weave effect)
- Mosaic colorwork (geometric designs without carrying yarn)
- Smocking and texture stitches (dimensional surface design)
Notable Designers:
- Dora Ohrenstein (author “The New Tunisian Crochet,” 2012)
- Kim Guzman (free pattern library, 100K+ YouTube subscribers)
- Toni Lipsey (TL Yarn Crafts, modernized classic stitches)
Cultural Context
Tunisian crochet nearly died out in the 1970s-90s, dismissed as “grandma craft.” Revival began with vintage-loving millennials seeking unique textures for Instagram-worthy projects. Interchangeable hook systems (Denise, Clover Takumi) made the technique more accessible and affordable.
The hashtag reflects fiber arts’ cyclical nature—forgotten techniques rediscovered through social media, recontextualized for contemporary aesthetics, and shared through digital communities rather than in-person guilds.
https://www.youtube.com/c/TLYarnCrafts
blog.com/tunisian-crochet-stitch-guide/
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=tunisian-crochet