StoneGnome: tunisian

Working with 3 strands at once is faster and creates a softer, more unique texture compared to a single bulky yarn - and you might save yarn too.

Here, you'll find helpful tips on yarn usage, hook size, and more to make the process smoother!

Contrary to what you might think, crocheting with 3 strands doesn’t mean juggling 3 separate yarn balls. In fact, you can work with just one yarn ball, avoiding the mess altogether.

It’s not as tricky as it sounds, but it helps to be comfortable with your stitches to avoid confusion with the extra strands.

This post was originally published in March 2018 and was re-written as of October 2024.

Comparison. Regular vs 3-strand Yarn

Below, I’ve compared a regular wool yarn with a 3-strand wool yarn. Both have the same (total) weight per length, and the single crochet stitch rows were made with the same hook.

Spot the difference: Regular yarn vs 3-strand yarn

You’ll notice that the 3-strand yarn creates a slightly fluffier texture, taking up a bit more space than the regular yarn, even though their weight is the same.

Guide - Avoid the Mess

You can create 3 strands from a single skein or ball, preventing the tangles you’d get from using 3 separate balls. To do this, fold the yarn to triple it, as shown in the photo, and make the tripled yarn long - longer than what’s shown. I prefer making it at least 1 meter (40 inches) at a time.

Make your slip knot as usual - or skip it* - and begin your project.

*Read more: Avoid an Ugly Slip Knot

Eventually, you’ll run out of 3-stranded yarn.

Simply pull on the end of your working yarn so it unfolds from the loop. Keep pulling until you have another long section of 3-stranded yarn to work with.

If you prefer a video demonstration, Ira Rot has a helpful video tutorial for this technique.

TIPS

A few tips to make your projects easier:

Hide Folding Points

In most cases, the points where you fold the yarn won’t show in the final project. However, if you’re working on a particularly delicate or detailed project, it is possible to hide them. You can either adjust the tension slightly, which will move the folding point. - Or - if the folded point lands on the front loop, simply remove the loop from your hook and turn it around so that the front loop becomes the back loop.

Avoid Twisted Strands

Twisted strands will look different from not-twisted strands. It can affect the way they 'Fluff'. To keep the strands straight and airy, straighten them whenever you notice a twist. This extra attention can help maintain a special texture that adds extra to certain projects.

Hook Size

When comparing 3 strands to a same-weight regular yarn, a good rule of thumb is to use the same hook size. However, you might also benefit from using a hook 1-2 sizes larger (1-2 mm) since the fluffiness fills in the stitches differently and takes up more space making your project look more substantial without extra material.

Yarn Usage

A larger hook size, also means you may need a little less yarn for your project—not a bad bonus!

Again - it all depends on your project, though totally worth to try.

Perfect for...

3-stranded yarn is particularly well-suited for looser and more open stitch patterns or in exchange for a bulky yarn.

Read more: Comfy Crochet Footies

In open stitch patterns, you’ll really see the difference compared to using regular yarn. Some great stitch patterns to try include the Moss Stitch (and for my Danish readers: 'vævehækling') or the Tunisian Full Stitch. But don’t limit yourself—feel free to experiment with any stitch pattern!

Regular crochet moss stitch and Tunisian full stitch

Left: Moss Stitch in regular crochet. Right: Tunisian Full Stitch

I’ve worked on several projects using the 3-stranded crochet technique, and I absolutely love the texture and feel it creates. Check out how 3 strands look with the Tunisian Reverse Stitch.

I haven’t tried felting with this method yet, but it seems promising - definitely something to experiment with in the future!

Enjoy

The latest StoneGnome pattern where you can use the 3-stranded technique is the Comfy Crochet Footies.

Enjoy exploring this completely new world of textures and styles you can create with 3 strands of yarn.

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Tunisian Crochet is fun and can be very meditative. Here is how you make a traditional foundation row to get started.

If you are a newbie to Tunisian Crochet, try it!

Updated September 2021. Originally posted as part of the Tutorial: Tunisian Top Stitch from 2016.

Tunisian Crochet in General

Is this your first try on Tunisian Crochet? If so, you should know it is all about a forward motion/ forward pass and a back motion/return pass. On the forward pass, you pick up loops. On the return pass, you finalize each of the crochet stitches.

You also insert the hook a little different from regular crochet in most cases - as you have other options here - which makes the stitches look a bit different too.

However, the way you work each of the stitches is still crocheting.

The outcome of a Tunisian Crochet piece can be a lot more like knitting, which is great for the drape and thereby for making wearables, scarfs, and other soft crochet pieces.

Tunisian Foundation Row

Choose a yarn and a hook that is at least two sizes bigger than the yarn label suggests. Most hooks will easily have space for 10 stitches on the neck. Else, just make fewer chains in this tutorial.

1) Chain row

Make a slip stitch and insert the hook. Crochet 9 chains for a foundation. This will give you 10 stitches, as the loop on your hook is number 10.

Now turn your work sideways, so you can see all the bumps that might usually be on the back of your work. These are the loops you will insert the hook into.

Tunisian Crochet - hook into the back bumps

2) Forward Pass - pick up loops

Insert your hook into the first bump, right next to the hook. (Some skip the first bump and it CAN be difficult to hook into. So if it suits you better, do that.)

Yarn over (yo) and pull through one loop. You now have 2 loops on the hook. They stay there during the forward motion.

Tunisian Crochet - make the first stitch

*Insert the hook into the next bump, yo, and pull through one loop only.* Repeat this till you have used all bumps. When you have reached the end, you have 10 loops on your hook.

3) Return Pass - complete each stitch

Chain one. (Yo and pull through one loop only). This is the left edge of your work.

*Yo and pull through two loops.* Repeat until you only have one loop left on the hook.

AVOID the temptation to pull tight, when there is only one loop left on the hook. You can tighten your work so much, that it is difficult to proceed from here with a nice result.

Tadaa!! Now you are ready for your next row :)

From here most people learn the Tunisian Simple Stitch (tss), the most commonly known stitch in the Tunisian Crochet world.

You could also try something nice and a bit different like the lovely Tunisian Top Stitch. It's one of my favorite stitches and it doesn't get enough attention in the crochet world.

You will find a tutorial right here: Tutorial: Tunisian Top Stitch

Did You Know?

Instead of starting with a chain row, it is also possible to do a cast-on. You can either do the Tunisian Single Hook cast on or the Tunisian Crochet Cast On. The last one requires two hooks but is really beautiful and very popular on this site.

Choose whatever works best for you with a specific Tunisian Crochet Project.

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Learn to crochet the Tunisian top stitch - aka bump stitch. It is a VERY easy stitch and the stitch is also very fast to work with. You crochet beautiful scarfs and more with this stitch.

If you are new to Tunisian crochet, this is a great stitch to learn, as it is very different from other Tunisian crochet stitches.

Updated and split into two posts in September 2021. Originally from September 2016.

Tunisian Top Stitch

Choose a yarn and a hook that is at least two sizes bigger than the yarn label suggests. Make a foundation row of just about 10 chains - or cast on if you prefer that. Now you are ready for the first row of Tunisian Crochet Top Stitches.

Related posts:
- Tunisian Crochet Foundation Row
- Tunisian Crochet Cast On (2 hooks)
- Tunisian Single Hook Cast On (1 hook)

Forward Pass

You need to locate and hook into the 'bump' from the return passes. It's on top - and maybe a little behind - the vertical strings, we often use in Tunisian crochet. It is very similar to the back bumps of a chain row you use for a traditional foundation row.

Tilt your work a little if it helps to find the right bump.

If your last stitch of the first row got tight, it might be impossible to see or enter the first bump. So, be careful about that.

1. Insert the hook into the first bump, right next to the hook. Yarn-over (yo) and pull through one loop. You now have 2 loops on the hook. (img below)

2. *Insert the hook into a bump, yo, and pull through one loop only.*
Repeat ** till you have all 10 loops on the hook.

Return Pass

3. Left edge: Chain one (pull through one loop only).

4. *Yo and pull through two loops.*
Repeat ** till you have only 1 loop left on the hook.

You are now done with the second row :) Make a couple more rows just for practice.

Finishing Off

You end it like you do on regular crochet. Cut the yarn end and pull it through the last loop on the hook - at the right side of your work.

Tips

Tip 1. Leave extra long ends when you start and when you finish. Weaving the ends in and out takes more yarn than other stitches.

Tip 2. When you are doing a back motion, then stretch the work a little with your left hand. This gives your work a more uniform look.

Tip 3. In a return pass: When you need to pull yarn from the yarn ball, then hold on to the first loop with your index finger, so you don't accidentally pull the previous bump too tight.

Make a Scarf

Imagine a scarf made purely with the Tunisian Top Stitch. Great drape, right?!
If you want a little extra, then try the 3 Skein Scarf with the neat color change.