One of the most common Tunisian crochet stitches is the Tunisian purl stitch. The Tunisian purl stitch (abbreviated in patterns as Tps) looks much like a purl stitch in knitting and is great as a design element in patterns. See how a few rows of Tunisian purls stitches break up the knit sections in this Tunisian blanket pattern or for alternating with another stitch for a great textured design like in these coasters. You can also use it for a garter stitch look, as an edging, or pair it with a Tunisian knit stitch for a ribbed effect.
Another little trick I learned with the Tunisian purl stitch is that if you incorporate it into the beginning or ending rows of your project, it really helps combat the curling effect that is notorious in Tunisian crochet!
Jump to Printable CardHow to Do a Tunisian Purl Stitch
The Tunisian purl stitch (abbreviated Tps) is really very simple and I’ve included step by step photos below to (hopefully!) help make it even simpler.
Step 1: Using a Tunisian crochet hook, chain any number of stitches or the number indicated in your pattern.
Step 2: Work a foundation row of a basic forward pass and return pass or add onto an existing swatch of stitches.
Step 3: Bring the working yarn to the front of your work and insert your hook through the next vertical bar. Wrap yarn behind and over the hook.
Step 4: Pull through vertical bar loop on hook. Your first Tunisian purl stitch is complete. Continue these steps across row until 1 stitch remains; work last stitch of row through the full ‘V’ as shown in the Tunisian Simple Stitch Tutorial. This gives a nice finished edge.
Step 5: Work a basic return pass (that is, yarn over and pull through one loop, then yarn over and pull through 2 loops for the rest of the row until you have one loop left on your hook).
Easy, right?! Ready to give it a go? Print out the easy-print instruction card below for reference and try it out on one of these free Tunisian crochet patterns.
How to Do a Tunisian Purl Stitch
Materials
- Tunisian crochet hook
- Scrap yarn
Instructions
- Using a Tunisian crochet hook, chain any number of stitches or the number indicated in your pattern.
- Work a foundation row of a basic forward pass and return pass or add onto an existing swatch of stitches.
- Bring the working yarn to the front of your work and insert your hook through the next vertical bar. Wrap yarn behind and over the hook.
- Pull through vertical bar loop on hook. Your first Tunisian purl stitch is complete. Continue these steps across row until 1 stitch remains; work last stitch of row through the full 'V' as shown in the Tunisian Simple Stitch Tutorial. This gives a nice finished edge.
- Work a basic return pass (that is, yarn over and pull through one loop, then yarn over and pull through 2 loops for the rest of the row until you have one loop left on your hook).
Ready to learn another Stitch?
Now that you’ve masted the Tunisian purl stitch, let’s learn some new stitches. Click over to my Learn Tunisian Crochet in a Week series or click on the specific Tunisian crochet stitch or resource you desire …
Simple Stitch
Knit Stitch
Reverse Stitch
Tunisian Crochet Abbreviations and Symbols
Show off your Tunisian crochet projects. Tag me on Instagram @petalstopicots… I love seeing your projects!
What a wonderful thing to know. I am always having to use fringe on my Tunisian afghans in order to keep the edges from rolling. Thanks for sharing this tip.
I use the Tunisian purl stitch after I do the foundation row and before I start the pattern, and the project does not roll. It does not change the pattern at all, in fact you don’t even notice the tps row.