Easy Tunisian Crochet Blanket Pattern for Beginners

Is Tunisian Crochet Good for Blankets?

Yes, Tunisian crochet is absolutely a good crochet stitch for blankets because there is typically less space between each stitch or loop than in traditional crochet. This means Tunisian crocheted fabric has fewer holes and is perfect for making a cozy blanket or afghan.

An Easy Pattern for Beginners

I was intimidated to learn Tunisian crochet a few years ago, but it turned out to be much easier than I expected. After my confidence grew, I poured all my learnings and tips for newbies into our How to Tunisian Crochet guide.

If you’re starting out, check that tutorial out for all the beginner Tunisian crochet skills you’ll need to crochet this afghan.

Related: Learn our best general tricks in this beginner’s guide to crocheting a blanket

Techniques You’ll Practice

Like typical crochet or knitting, there are more interesting Tunisian crochet stitches to learn, but this blanket pattern uses only the very basic Tunisian double crochet, which is very similar to Tunisian simple stitch (Tss).

This helps guarantee that even beginners will find this a quick, satisfying Tunisian crochet blanket project.

Here are the beginner-level skills used in this free Tunisian crochet pattern:

• Tunisian double crochet (Tdc)
• Using two colors of yarn to create a woven looking-fabric
• Crochet blocking
• Weaving in ends

The Best Yarn For Tunisian Crochet Blankets

For this Tunisian crochet afghan pattern, we used Lion Brand’s Hue + Me yarn. This category 5 weight yarn is one of our favorites for crocheting chunky blankets because the colors are fantastic, and it’s thick enough to make quick progress.

You’ll need approximately 1200 yards of Hue + Me or other chunky-weight yarn in five colors. If you have a lot of leftover yarn that’s all the same thickness, this is a good scrap yarn project to put them to use.

Of course, you can also crochet your blanket with a single color of yarn for a modern, understated look.

Use a Crochet Hook With a Cable

While you can learn how to Tunisian crochet with a standard hook, you’ll need a hook with a long cable to make this blanket. Look for a Tunisian crochet hook with approximately a 30″ cord in order to accommodate the width of your blanket stitches.

Modifying the Blanket Size

As written, this Tunisian throw blanket measures approximately 42 x 59 inches, which makes it a fantastic size for snuggling on the couch. Here’s how to adjust the size of the pattern if you’d like.

Use Thinner or Thicker Yarn

A very simple way to make your blanket smaller or larger than the sample is simply to substitute a different yarn weight.

For a larger blanket, try a super bulky yarn such as Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.

For a smaller baby blanket, use a worsted-weight yarn like Color Theory or Wool-Ease.

Change the Number of Starting Chains

Alternatively, this Tunisian blanket pattern is easy to modify the stitch count because it has a multiple of one. This means you can start with a foundation chain in any number of stitches to crochet a blanket with any width you desire.

More Free Crochet Blanket Patterns + Tutorials

Add a few of our favorite free crochet patterns to your project queue!

Supplies + Materials

Order an all-in-one kit from Lion Brand.
 • Lion Brand Hue + Me (Weight: 5/Bulky – 137 yds, 4.4 oz) 

– A: Haze (617-144) – 4 skeins

– B: Magic Hour (617-108) – 1 skein

– C: Shadow – (617-150) – 1 skein

– D: Arrowood – (617-132) – 1 skein

– E: Juniper – (617-178) – 1 skein

• Size N (10 mm) Tunisian crochet hook with 30” cord or size needed to obtain gauge

How to Tunisian Double Crochet

This is pattern uses the Tunisian double crochet stitch throughout. If you’re familiar with double crochet in standard crocheting, you’ll find this to be a straightforward stitch.

Here’s how to do the forward pass of Tunisian double crochet:

1. To begin row, chain 2.
2. Yarn over, insert hook under the vertical bar of next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (3 loops on hook)
4. Yarn over and pull through through 2 loops. (2 loops on hook)
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each stitch until end of row.

Here’s how to do the return pass (aka reverse pass):

1. Yarn over and chain 1.
2. Yarn over and pull through two loops.
3. Repeat step 3 until end of row.

Check out the video tutorial below from the Yarnist or see this photo tutorial from Knitter Knotter for more step-by-step instructions.

Skill Level

Confident Beginner: This Tunisian crochet blanket pattern uses basic skills. Make it even more beginner-friendly by using a single color of yarn throughout.

Video Tutorials

If you’re new to Tunisian crochet, watch this introductory tutorial that covers all the Tunisian crochet basic skills.

Then check out this video tutorial on the simple color-changing technique that makes Tunisian crochet stitches look woven.

Overall Pattern Notes

• Pattern is worked in Tunisian Double Crochet (Tdc). Row instructions are for the Forward Passes (FwP). 

• To accommodate the extra stitch height of a double crochet, a chain is added to the beginning of each row.
  
• Beyond the foundation row, instructions are the same for each Return Pass (RetP). Follow the Foundation Row and each Forward Pass with a RetP worked as follows:

Ch 1, *yo, pull through two loops; rep from * until 1 loop remains on hook.

• Woven look is achieved by alternating colors for each return pass (RetP) and the next forward pass (FwP). Do not cut yarn after each color change. Instead, keep it attached to pick up on the next row.

!! Gauge Check !!

Please don’t skip this step, or you will risk running out of yarn before each color section is complete. This swatch is also a good opportunity to practice the Tunisian double crochet stitch.

Foundation Row: Ch 14. 

Foundation Row FWP: Yo, draw up a loop in back bump of third ch from hook, yo pull through 2 loops, *yo draw up a loop in back bump of next st, yo pull through 2 loops, rep from * to end of row, ch 1. (13 loops on hook) Do not turn. 

Foundation Row RetP: Yo, pull through 1 loop, *yo pull through 2 loops, rep from * to last st. (1 loop on hook)

Row 1 (FwP): Ch 1, *yo insert hook under next vertical bar, yo pull up a loop, yo pull through 2 loops. Rep from * to last st, work end st; complete RetP.

Rep Row 1 eight times. Measure center four inches of swatch vertically and horizontally. Compare to blanket pattern gauge listed above. 

• If there are too many stitches in 4” horizontally, increase your hook size and re-swatch. 
  
• If there aren’t enough stitches in 4” horizontally, decrease your hook size and re-swatch.

• If swatch is measuring too small vertically, make a deliberate effort to pull loops up a bit higher before completing each double crochet. 

• If swatch is measuring too large vertically, make an effort to work the loops of each double crochet a little tighter.

• This video is incredibly helpful if you’re having trouble achieving the correct vertical gauge:

First color section: 

Foundation Row: With A: Ch 85. 

Foundation Row FWP: With A: Yo, draw up a loop in back bump of third ch from hook, yo pull through 2 loops, *yo draw up a loop in back bump of next st, yo pull through 2 loops, rep from * to end of row, ch 1. (84 loops on hook) Do not turn. 

Second Color Section:

Row 1 (FwP):  With A, rep Row 1; complete RetP with C.

Row 2 (FwP): With C, rep Row 1: complete RetP with A.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six more times alternating colors A and C as outlined above. Upon completion, you should have a total of 14 rows in this color section.

Third Color Section:

Row 1 (FwP): With A; rep Row 1; complete RetP with D.

Row 2 (FwP): With D, rep Row 1; complete RetP with A.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six more times alternating colors A and D as outlined above. Upon completion, you should have a total of 14 rows in this color section.

Fourth Color Section:

Row 1 (FwP): With A, rep Row 1; complete RetP with E.

Row 2 (FwP): With E, rep Row 1; complete RetP with A.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 six more times, alternating colors A and E as outlined above. Upon completion, you should have a total of 14 rows in this color section.

Finishing Row: With A, bind off all sts. Check out our beginner Tunisian crochet tutorial for detailed instructions on binding off.

Finishing and Blocking

Finishing: Fasten off the working yarn. Weave in any remaining yarn tails with a tapestry needle.

To block your blanket: Lay dry towels on a floor or bed. Place blanket on top, squaring it to a rectangular shape. Spritz with water and let dry overnight. See our complete guide to blocking your crochet for more helpful tips. 

Give your newly finished blanket to someone you love dearly, or—even better—keep it for yourself! 

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