The Reluctant Hooker

I've often thought if I were to write a book of crochet patterns that that would be the title. Reluctant in that crochet doesn't flow for me like knitting does but maybe it should be "The Persevering Hooker" in that even though at times it befuddles me I'm not going to give up!

(The above pattern is now available as a PDF download $6.50)
One of the main reasons for my wanting to persevere is because of the amount of requests I get from crocheters who want a crochet version of my knit designs. And because I love a challenge I can't say no, I'm always adding to my crochet "to-do" list from these requests. The above coat is the result from one of these requests. It's the crochet version of my Swing Coat (currently working on the pattern).

Made in Tunisian Crochet with a S hook and @7 skeins of Cascade Magnum (@860 yards super bulky) it works up quickly, love that about crochet!

Not sure how many of you are familiar with Tunisian Crochet but it takes elements of both knitting & crochet and is pretty easy to get the hang of... and even if you can't knit or crochet you will be working this stitch in no time.

So in preparation of this coat pattern I've worked a super simple cowl in Tunisian Crochet for you all to try.
Materials needed:
@123 yds/@112m of a super chunky yarn like Magnum by Cascade.
(color shown #9430 Highland Green)
A Tunisian crochet hook size S/19mm.
A Tunisian crochet hook is different from a regular crochet hook in that the shaft of the hook is longer and is the same size the whole length of the shaft like a knitting needle. I used a hook I purchased on Etsy from mimisneedlebasket. I bought both the R and the S but found I liked the S better with the yarn I was using. I used the S hook for the coat as well.

Finished measurements: 12"x 31" measured when laid flat before sewing together.
Gauge @1.5sts= 1"


Start by chaining 18. Going into the 2nd chain from hook pull a loop up through each chain space to end.


I went through the bump on the back of the chain because I like the way the edge looks.
When wrapping the hook the yarn should come over the top of the hook so when pulling the loop through the left leg of the loop sits in the front.

You should have 18 loops on your hook. You can see in this photo how the edge looks by going through the bumps on the back.

Now we work back. Do not turn. 
Wrap and pull 1 loop through the edge stitch. This is the 1st stitch of the next row.
Now wrap the stitch as before and pull through the next 2 loops on the hook. Work in this way down the row of loops until you are left with 1 loop on the hook.

The next row will put the loops back on the hook. Do not chain 1 before starting the next row. You may see other tutorials that have you chain 1 before starting the next row but I found it creates a nicer edge to not chain 1.
Insert hook into the 2nd stitch of the previous row. 


 Wrap and pull up a loop. 2sts on the hook.
Work this way to the end of the row.
The last stitch is worked the same as the others by going into the stitch of the previous row.
Continue working the rows as described until desired length. I used 1 full skein of Magnum and when I counted the vertical lines that you can see so prominently in the photo of the finished piece I counted 34 from the starting chain to the end. 

I ended on a row with the loops on the hook then joined that edge to the starting edge by crocheting the edges together.



Rodney looking a little unsure about wearing the cowl.... You can see the side that's showing more prominently here looks a bit like reverse stockinette stitch or a purl side and that's why I chose it for the crochet version of the Swing Coat. The knit version is worn with the purl side facing out and I thought this was a good substitute.

Maybe you'll be inspired to try Tunisian Crochet and for extra help I'm sure there are countless videos on youtube to check out ;) OR if you're in Los Angeles the first weekend of April during the 3rd annual LA County Yarn Crawl we'll have demonstrations of Tunisian Crochet at The Little Knittery so come on by!


Comments

  1. that looks SO beautiful!! I haven't tried Tunisian crochet before, but you make it looks really straightforward.

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    1. Thanks Julie! Give it a try, it's suprisingly simple :) and yes, I love the way it looks too!

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  2. We just ordered size S hooks. We are totally obsessed!

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    1. Yay!! I knew you would! Let me know how it goes!

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  3. Hi, I am waiting for the tunisian crochet instructions for the swing coat. Any progress? I tried making the knited swing coat but it came out to small. I am better at crochet. I have made several tunisian crochet cowels. I am ready for the tunisian crochet swing coat.

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    1. I wish I could say progress had been made but I'm not quite there yet. I'm hoping the beginning of September. I have a knit coat I have to finish by August and then I can work on this one.Thank you for checking in! :) Karen

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  4. I am very excited to try Tunisian crochet. I'd like to make your scarf, but about 1/2 the width. Is there anything I should know about reducing the starting number of chains? Should I always start with an odd number? Thank you!

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    1. Hi Vicki, if you want half the amount and there are 18 sts total on this one I would chain 10, go into 2nd chain from hook. You would then pull up 8 loops across and counting the first loop from your chain that would give you 9. Hope this helps! Karen

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  5. Hi. Waiting anxiously for the Tunisian crochet pattern for this Swing Coat. Any updates on when the pattern will be available?

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    1. Hi, I was just thinking about this last night! Unfortunately I've had some family emergencies where I haven't had the time to work on it. I thought it would have been completed by now though and I thank you for your patience! I will get it done, it's just going to take me a little longer than expected :( Karen

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  6. Hi! Wonderful work! I look at your blog every week and I can't wait anymore !!!!!!! Love your work, thank you for giving us modern and beautiful crochet projects !!!!!

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    1. Hi Claire! Maybe if I made this a "crochet-along" I would finally get it posted! Thank you for your kind words!! Karen

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  7. Shoot! Can't wait to buy the pattern as well!

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  8. Not to nag or anything... just encourage. =) Looking forward to trying the coat. I just worked up some Tunisian crochet last week to give it a go and I love it. Made a mug cozy with some super fine variegated wool, beautiful! I have a men's scarf lined up for my husband next. I'll keep checking in, no pressure. ;)

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    1. haha!! I need the pressure!! :) I have one sweater I'm currently working on and have moved this piece to my next pattern to complete. Thanks for hanging in there Ladies!!

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  9. I will crochet along with you.

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    1. Hi Caryn, I have one project to complete and then I am writing this pattern! :) Email me so I have your email and I will send a preliminary pattern. Thanks!

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  10. aw your buddy looks so warm and cozy :) cute! Love the look this stitch makes.

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    1. Haha, yes he does! I love this stitch too, such a nice texture!

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  11. So looking forward to making this! Any pattern updates yet? I would love to be a tester if you need one :) Your patterns are all so gorgeous!

    Tami
    tstept2@aol.com

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    1. Hi Tami, I just received more yarn from Cascade to make another sample and should have the pattern to the tech editor within 2 weeks. Hoping to have it all finished by the end of June... I'll be in touch and thanks for your patience!!! :D Karen

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  12. So excited to see the coat pattern :)

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    1. Thanks Serene, me too! The pattern is with my tech editor... almost there! ;)

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  13. Wondering if you've released the pattern for the swing coat in crochet yet? I'd LOVE to make this for fall/winter.

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    1. Hi Tri Mama, I'm just going thru the final edits with my tech editor (yay!!!) so hopefully I will have the pattern available very soon (days)! Thanks for writing! Karen

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  14. HI! Lovely work! I was wondering what size tunisian hook youre using and where did you get it? Would love to get my hands on a larger one so I can do larger work. Cheers!

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    1. Hi Natalia, Thanks for your kind words! I used an 'S' hook that I bought on Etsy from mimisneedlebasket.
      Hope that helps!
      Karen

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  15. Is there another yarn you'd recommend because I'm allergic to wool!. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Sheryl, unfortunately I don't know of another yarn that would work. I'll ask a yarn rep friend of mine to see what she suggests and get back to you. :) Thanks for writing, Karen

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  16. Hi! I just completed my first Tunisian Crochet project: your cowl. I must say, I LOVE it. The stitch pattern is absolutely beautiful and it was a quick crochet. Total time from start to finish was about 3 hours (not counting the 3 times I had to frog it). I'm hooked on this method of crocheting. I see myself as a knitter and have always avoided crocheting because, to me, it just doesn't look as "polished" as knitting. However, Tunisian crochet is different. It looks like a cross between the 2 disciplines. I see that swing coat in my future. Thank you so very much!!!

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    1. I have to say I'm "hooked" too ;) I love the way it looks and enjoy the process of making the different stitches. Thanks for writing B! Happy Holidays!!!

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  17. This is my first ever Tunisian crochet pattern! I am consumed about how you joined the ends together. I tried doing the return pass as normal but grabbing stitches from the first row as I went, but I ended up with gaps. Can you give any further instructions on jointing? Thanks!

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    1. Hi Courtney! Are you making the cowl or did you tackle the coat? Let me know so I can try to give detailed help :) Thanks, Karen

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    2. Great! I joined the edges with a slip stitch. Is that how you did it? I'm going to work up a little sample today since it's been awhile and I'll report back ;)

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    3. This is how I finished without getting any gaps.
      Fold the piece in half and have the finished (starting) edge in front facing you with the row on the Tunisian hook behind it.
      With a regular size Q hook you're going to go through the starting chain edge (one stitch at a time) and pull a loop off of the Tunisian hook, bring the loop through the starting chain edge and once you have the first 2 loops on your regular hook you'll join it with a slip stitch. Repeat to the end, finish the last loop as you normally would with crochet.
      Hope this makes sense! :)

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    4. That makes so much sense! I never would have figured that out on my own! Thank you so much for taking the time to help!

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