The Tunisian Purl stitch is a versatile, beginner’s stitch for those learning to do Tunisian Crochet. The Tunisian Purl stitch (abbreviated as TPS) is used in a wide variety of projects to add texture to your fabric and when used on its own, closely mimics the look of the knitted purl stitch or garter stitch so it’s a great way to replicate the look of knitting.
In this Tunisian Purl Stitch tutorial, I’ll teach you step-by-step how to learn the Tunisian Purl Stitch. I have included a written and photo tutorial as well as a video tutorial so no matter how you like to learn, we’ve got you covered.
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The Tunisian purl stitch is one of my favourite Tunisian stitches because when added to the beginning and ending rows of your crochet project, Tunisian purl stitches limit the amount of curling you’ll have in your project. Curling in Tunisian projects can be a real hassle for some folks so if you find that it is driving you nuts, knowing this stitch is going to be a big help.
This stitch pattern can be a bit tricky to get the hang of at first because unlike many other Tunisian stitches, we have to remember to. bring the working yarn to the front of the work. But don’t worry, with this easy tutorial and some practice, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
While I’m using Tunisian hooks in this tutorial, a regular crochet hook can be used to create this stitch if you’re only wanting to make a small swatch to test it out.
Tunisian Basics Before Diving In:
Each row of Tunisian crochet has a Forward Pass (FP) and a Return Pass (RP) and you’ll see each of those passes specified in the instructions below. For the Forward Pass, we’ll be working from right to left and for the Return Pass, we’ll be working from left to right.
The Right side of the fabric is the front of the piece and it is always facing you.
We skip the first vertical bar (unless specified in your tunisian crochet pattern) because the loop on your hook counts as your first stitch.
Supplies You’ll Need to Follow Along With This Tutorial:
- A Tunisian Crochet Hook – Any hook size that works with the yarn weight you’re using (I’m using a 6.0mm hook from the Lantern Moon Bequest Tunisian Crochet Hook Set – available from Laurel Hill and Amazon)
- Yarn in Whatever Size You’d Like (I’m using a worsted weight yarn called Brava Worsted from WeCrochet)
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Abbreviations:
- CH = Chain
- FP = Forward Pass
- LS – Last Stitch
- RS = Return Pass
- ST = Stitch
- TPS = Tunisian Purl Stitch
- YO = Yarn Over
Stitch Multiple:
- Any Number of Stitches
Tunisian Purl Stitch Video Tutorial
Tunisian Purl Stitch Written & Photo Tutorial
Creating your Foundation Row: Create a slip knot and place it on your hook and CH your desired number of stitches. For my example, I did 10 chains because I would like to have 10 stitches.
First Row: Forward Pass: Turn your chain so you are working into the back bump of your chain.
Insert your hook into the back bump of the second chain from the hook. Yarn over (YO) hook and pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the back bump of the next chain, YO and pull up a loop. Repeat this until you have a loop on your hook from every chain you created.
First Row: Return Pass: YO and pull through first loop only (this is a CH 1).
*YO and pull through two loops* Repeat the instructions in ** until the end of your row and only one loop remains on your hook.
Second Row: Forward Pass: Bring your yarn to the front of your work and insert hook from right to left, under the 2nd vertical bar from your hook.
Bring your yarn behind your hook, YO and pull up a loop. This is your first Tunisian Purl Stitch.
*Bring your yarn to the front of your work, insert hook under the next vertical bar. Bring yarn behind your hook,YO and pull up a loop.* Repeat instructions in ** until the end of your row.
The last vertical bar will be on the edge of the fabric where we will work a LS (last stitch). Work your last ST under both loops of the edge ST. You should have 10 loops on your hook.
Second Row: Return Pass: YO and pull through first loop only (this is a CH 1).
*YO and pull through two loops* Repeat the instructions in ** until the end of your row and only one loop remains on your hook.
To work subsequent rows of Tunisian Purl Stitch:
To work subsequent rows of Tunisian Purl stitch, repeat the instructions for Row 2 until your work is your desired length. When you’re ready to bind off your piece, follow the instructions for binding off below.
Binding off your last row with Tunisian Crochet Purl Stitch:
Work as if doing TPS but instead of pulling up a loop and keeping it on your hook, pull up a loop and pull it through the loop on your hook. Repeat across your work until you reach your edge stitch.
To do the edge stitch, insert your hook, picking up both loops of the edge of your fabric, YO and pull up a loop and pull that loop through the loop on your hook. FO and weave in ends.
Alternatively, you can bind of using the basic bind off method. To do this, you insert your hook through the front vertical bar (like when doing tunisian simple stitches).
YO and pull up a loop and then pull that loop through the loop on your hook. Repeat this process through to the end of the row. FO and weave in your ends.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are excited to get started learning more basic tunisian crochet stitches! Here are some other great tunisian crochet tutorials you can check out:
- Tunisian Simple Stitch Tutorial
- Love knit stitches? Learn the Tunisian Knit Stitch
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