Starter Guide to Tunisian Crochet In-Depth Book Review

If you’re curious about Tunisian crochet and wondering if Starter Guide to Tunisian Crochet by Mary Beth Temple is the right book for you, you’re in the right place. In this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know—what’s inside, who it’s best suited for, and what kind of support it offers. Whether you’re looking for an entry point into Tunisian crochet or an experienced crocheter hoping to expand your skills, this review will help you decide if this book deserves a spot on your shelf.

Thanks to the publisher, I’m giving away a copy of this book to one lucky winner.  Keep reading to learn more about the book and how you can enter to win.

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Thanks to Landauer Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I do not guarantee a positive review of any product reviewed on my site.  All opinions shared here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no cost to you.

About the Author

Mary Beth Temple is a talented maker, teacher, and author of more than a dozen books and booklets. Through her website, Hooked for Life Publishing, she shares an extensive collection of free and paid crochet patterns, tutorials, and videos.

Patterns Included in Starter Guide to Tunisian Crochet

The book features 16 skill-building projects that cover a variety of stitch techniques and textures. Here are the patterns you’ll find inside:

• Textured Potholder Trio (three different potholder patterns)
• Colorful Market Bag
• Mock Bobble Scarf and Hat
• Light and Lacy One-Shoulder Wrap
• Asymmetrical Shawl
• Ocean Waves Hand Towel and Washcloth
• Two-Toned Poncho
• Cozy Textured Shawl
• Ombre Cabled Pillow
• Tiny Stars Baby Blanket
• Tiny Stars Baby Sweater
• Multi-Stitch Blanket

The patterns are straightforward and easy to follow. If you’re new to Tunisian crochet, be sure to check out page 10 for a breakdown of how to read Tunisian crochet patterns. Each pattern includes a stitch diagram, which is a great addition for visual learners. I also really appreciated the spacing of the patterns—it makes them easy to read and visually appealing.

The book takes you beyond just the Tunisian knit stitch and tunisian purl stitch to show you how you can combine those and other stitches to create texture and beautiful fabrics. The Mult-Stitch Blanket pattern is a great example that uses a variety of Tunisian stitch patterns and creates a really visually dynamic piece with a lot of texture.  

Crochet Terminology

This book uses standard Tunisian crochet terms and U.S. crochet terminology for any additional stitches included. While it doesn’t provide a U.S. to U.K. conversion chart, regular crochet stitches are used sparingly (since the book focuses on Tunisian crochet). An abbreviations chart and basic Tunisian symbols chart can be found on page 9, making it easy to reference as you work through the projects.

Skill Level

The projects in this book range from Easy to Advanced, with 12 of the 16 projects labeled as Easy, 2 as Intermediate, and 2 as Advanced. I always recommend that crocheters have a basic knowledge of standard crochet stitches before jumping into Tunisian crochet, but the Easy-level projects in this book are very accessible for beginners. They provide a great way to build confidence and gradually introduce more complex stitches and techniques.

Supports Included for Makers

You’ll find most of the supports for makers at the start of the book, starting on page 6. There you’ll find detailed explanations of:

• Tools and materials needed for Tunisian crochet
• How to read a Tunisian crochet pattern
• Step-by-step tutorials on Tunisian crochet stitches, basic crochet stitches and techniques, complete with clear instructions and step-by-step photographs
• Techniques like weaving in ends, blocking, whipstitching, and a high-level explanation to gauge

I also love that each pattern includes a stitch diagram, which is a helpful reference as you work through the projects.

Supplies Needed

To get started with the projects in this book, you’ll need:

• Tunisian crochet hooks (various sizes depending on the pattern) – these ones are my favorite!
• Yarn (yarn weights and fiber types vary by project)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Blocking tools (recommended for finishing projects) – I love these blocking mats and swear by this garment steamer for blocking everything.

Overall

If you’re looking to expand your crochet skill set into Tunisian crochet, this book is a fantastic starting point. It provides the essential tools, techniques, and a variety of projects to help you build your skills with confidence. I really enjoyed the range of projects and the different stitches used, making it a well-rounded resource for beginners and beyond.

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