Some Tunisian patterns are easy to do, when you work in rounds, while doing rows are considered impossible, or something that requires sewing in a lot of ends.


It's just not at all impossible. Nor do you need to cut the yarn and sew in ends all the time.

As I showed last week, I have a special technique for working certain rows. I'm using it for the Colored Twisted Stitch Pattern, where you do the forward pass (pick up loops) in one color and the return pass in another color. I probably rushed too fast into showing that stitch pattern. I should have explained the technique first.

The Technique

First, you need a cro-hook = a double-ended hook.

When you do rows and pick up loops in color A, you reach the left side of your work eventually. (The right side, if you are left-handed). This means your pick-up-loops-yarn is now placed at the left side of your work. Then you will finish your row using color B, which will also eventually end up in the left side.

If you could switch from right-handed to left-handed (and vice versa for left-handed), you could continue the work and do the next forward pass (pick-up-loops) with your left hand. BUT... most of us find it difficult to hold the hook in our non-dominant hand. So, what to do?

You can turn your crocheted piece, so you face the back of the work. If you lean the work back - maybe even upside down - you can see the stitches at the front. And you can work with them. You will need to do this every second row you pick up loops.


It does take some practice and there are a few notes worth mentioning.

Changing Direction

When you do one row in one direction and then the next row in another direction, you also insert your hook from two different directions. So, doing a Tunisian simple stitch, while facing the back of your work, actually looks like a twisted Tunisian simple stitch, when you turn your work once more and face the front of the work.


Confused? Don't be. Read the above again and ignore it, if it is too much right now. Watch the video below instead.

The Working Yarn

The working yarn belongs to the back of your work - unless told otherwise. Meaning, if you turn your work, so you face the back of it, then the working yarn should be here too, between you and the hook. As you might know, some stitches require you to hold the yarn in front of the hook. You could say this is similar for all the stitches you crochet while facing the back of the work.


Note. If you use this up-side-down or leaned back technique on a stitch that would normally be worked with the yarn in front of the hook, then you need to do the opposite, when you have turned your work up side down. Bring the yarn behind the hook.

Edge and Color Change

Whenever I reach the side and want a color change, I do this:

• Push the current working yarn to the side. Same direction you just worked in. Make sure it stays at the back of the work.
• Pick up the new working yarn. Tighten it a little, but not more than you would still be able to insert a hook under the two outermost loops. (This will come in handy for borders or joining.)

Video Tutorial

This technique is so difficult to explain in details. So watch the video and please click like, if you like it. Every like inspires me to make more tutorials for you.

Left handed? Use this link for watching the video. Notice that all text will be mirrored as well.
http://deturl.com/mirror-flip.asp?v=xHcwH6dNNO0

Links

• Colored Twisted Stitch Pattern
• The Twisted Stitch Pattern (one color)