Tunisian Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Lori Harrison Review

The Tunisian Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Lori Harrison promises a whole new world of possibilities for Tunisian crochet enthusiasts but does it truly earn a permanent spot in a Tunisian crocheter’s library?

In this review, I’m sharing an honest, experience-based look at what’s inside, who it’s best for, and whether it lives up to its reputation as the most comprehensive stitch dictionary for Tunisian crochet. If you’re ready to take your Tunisian crochet technique to the next level, you’re in the right place.

There’s even a chance to win your own copy in the giveaway below.

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Thanks to Stackpole Books 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

Lori Harrison is the Tunisian crochet designer behind Aklori Designs, known for clear tutorials, detailed patterns, and innovative Tunisian crochet designs. Lori lives in Tucson, Arizona and brings an engineering background to her work, which shines through in her logical, well-organized approach to stitch construction and documentation. Crochet began as her creative side alongside a day job in engineering, and that blend of technical precision and artistic curiosity defines her teaching style.

This book is Lori’s second book, following the success of her first book, Exploring Tunisian Crochet (<- click to see my review of her first book). With this new release, Lori shifts from teaching basics to pushing the boundaries of stitch creation with an enormous collection of stitch variations and textures.  Find Lori on social media here: @akloridesigns

Patterns Included in Tunisian Crochet: A Stitch Dictionary with 501 Stitches to Explore by Lori Harrison

This book contains an impressive 501 Tunisian crochet stitches, making it one of the most complete stitch dictionary resources available for this technique.

The stitches are organized into clearly defined sections:

• Basic Tunisian Crochet Stitches and Variations
• Stitch Patterns
• Lace Stitches
• Cable Stitches
• Colorwork Stitches
• Tunisian Crochet in the Round Stitches

At the beginning of the book, Lori includes a short fundamentals section covering foundation row setup, binding off, anatomy of Tunisian stitches, yarning over, vertical bars, horizontal bars, and how the fabric is built. There is also a “How to Use This Book” section that explains how to read each crochet chart, how the stitch keys work, and how to interpret the step-by-step row-by-row instructions given in the charts.

What’s Included With Each Stitch

Each stitch entry includes:

• a colored photo (of the front and the back of the fabric),
• written instructions,
• and in some cases, photo tutorial support.
• Some entries also include a crochet chart with a stitch key, particularly for more advanced stitches and complex stitch combinations.

Some sections begin with additional guidance and photo tutorials to help you understand how those stitch families are constructed. Charts are included for many of the more unusual Tunisian stitches, while basic stitches just have written instructions. Written instructions also include notes for right-handed crocheters and left-handed crocheters, something I always appreciate in Lori’s teaching style.

I especially enjoyed exploring the Stitch Patterns and Cable Stitches sections. These areas showcase the versatility of Tunisian fabrics beautifully. From closed and textured stitches to open, lacy or colorful stitches, perfect for beautiful wraps, lacy shawls and more.

Crochet Terminology

The book uses standardized shorthand and charted notation throughout. To support this, there is a stitches and abbreviations index at the back of the book. It does mean a bit of page-flipping when you encounter an unfamiliar term, but considering the comprehensive coverage of these stitch variations, I see that as a fair trade for fitting 501 entries into one volume.

See a Flip-Through of the Book

Skill Level Needed for This Tunisian Crochet Stitch Dictionary

This is not a beginner learn-to-Tunisian-crochet book. After reading through the instructions and trying several new-to-me stitches, I would recommend this resource for an intermediate to experienced maker who is already comfortable with the basic Tunisian crochet technique.

As with most stitch dictionaries, the goal here is not to teach the fundamentals from scratch. It’s there to help expand your stitch vocabulary into things like advanced crochet stitches, smock stitches, lace textures, cables, and more. Beginners may find the shorthand instructions challenging if they are used to very detailed photo tutorials for every step.

If you are brand new to Tunisian crochet, I would suggest starting with Lori’s first book, Exploring Tunisian Crochet before diving into this stitch dictionary.

Supports Included for Makers in Tunisian Crochet

Although the bulk of the book focuses on stitch entries, there is still thoughtful support built in.

• An introduction covering Tunisian crochet basics like foundational rows and binding off
• A visual key for reading charts
• Charts for complex or unusual stitches
• Photo tutorials and additional instruction at the start of certain stitch sections (like cables)
• A complete abbreviations index at the back of the book

Some stitches include photo tutorials for particularly intricate techniques. While most entries rely on written instructions and charts, the support provided is appropriate for the experience level this book targets.

If you are an experienced Tunisian crocheter, this feels like a one-stop Tunisian crochet resource for exploration and experimentation.

Supplies Needed

As with most stitch dictionaries, no specific yarn or Tunisian crochet hooks are required or mentioned. You can work the stitches using any yarn weight and hook size you prefer, making it easy to test stitches with materials already in your stash.

Where to Buy Tunisian Crochet by Lori Harrison

The Tunisian Crochet Dictionary by Lori Harrison is published by Stackpole Books, an imprint of Globe Pequot Publishing. It can be purchased on:

Overall

This book truly opens a whole new world of possibilities for Tunisian crochet enthusiasts. With 501 stitch entries, detailed swatch photos, charts, and systematic organization, it earns its place as an ultimate reference and must-have addition to a Tunisian crocheter’s library.

I recommend this book for confident, experienced makers who want to expand their knowledge, experiment with diverse stitch patterns, and push their work to the next level. If you love exploring new stitches and textures, this will quickly become a go-to resource on your shelf.

If you are still learning the Tunisian crochet technique, start with Lori’s first book, Exploring Tunisian Crochet, then return to this one when you are ready to explore more.

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Want Your Own Copy? Enter the Giveaway Below!

I’m giving away a copy of Tunisian Crochet by Lori Harrison!

This giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canadian participants (excluding Quebec and where prohibited by law). The giveaway ends on Saturday, January 31st, 2025, at 11:45 pm Eastern Standard Time.

To enter, simply use the King Sumo form below. If you’re on mobile and run into any trouble, try switching to a desktop computer. Only your email and name are required to enter—everything else, like following on social media, are optional and just for bonus entries!

Can’t see the entry form below? Click here: Giveaway Form