How to: Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS)

Hi Everyone! I’m Ashley, the designer and maker behind The Loopy Lamb. I’m so excited to be invited back to the Clover blog to teach you all how to do the Tunisian Purl Stitch.

The Tunisian Purl stitch is a versatile beginner’s stitch for those learning to do Tunisian Crochet. The Tunisian Purl stitch is used in a wide variety of projects and unlike the other Tunisian crochet stitches we have done, the Tunisian Purl Stitch doesn’t curl. It perfectly mimicks the look of knitting and it’s one of my favourite stitches to do. The Tunisian Purl Stitch, when written in crochet patterns will be abbreviated as TPS. For the Forward Pass, we’ll be working from right to left and for the Return Pass, we’ll be working from left to right.

This stitch is a little tricky to get the rhythm of at first but once you get the hang of it you’ll have a great new skill for your crochet toolbox. Just as a reminder, for each row of Tunisian Crochet there is a Forward Pass and a Return Pass and you’ll see each of those passes specified in the instructions below.

Supplies You’ll Need to Follow Along With This Tutorial:

6.0mm Clover Takumi Tunisian Crochet Hook Set – Art No. 3684
A ball of worsted weight yarn (size 4) in any colour. I’m using We Crochet’s Brava Worsted Weight in Cornflower
Clover Mini Patchwork Scissors – Art No. 493/CW

Abbreviations:

ST = Stitch
YO = Yarn Over
TPS = Tunisian Purl Stitch
CH = Chain

Creating your CH: Create a slip knot and place it on your hook and CH your desired number of stitches. For my example, I did 10 chains because I would like to have 10 stitches.

Row 1: Forward Pass: Turn your chain so you are working into the back bump of your chain. Insert your hook into the back bump of the second chain from the hook. Yarn over (YO) hook and pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the back bump of the next chain, YO and pull up a loop. Repeat this until you have a loop on your hook from every chain you created.

Row 1: Return Pass: YO and pull through first loop only (this is a CH 1). *YO and pull through two loops* Repeat the instructions in ** until the end of your row and only one loop remains on your hook

Row 2: Forward Pass: Bring your yarn to the front of your work and insert hook from right to left, under the 2nd vertical bar from your hook. Bring your yarn behind your hook, YO and pull up a loop. *Bring your yarn to the front of your work, insert hook under the next vertical bar. Bring yarn behind your hook,YO and pull up a loop.* Repeat instructions in ** until the end of your row. The last vertical bar will be on the edge of the fabric. Work your last ST into the both loops of the edge ST so you see There should be 10 loops on your hook.

Row 2: Return Pass: YO and pull through first loop only (this is a CH 1). *YO and pull through two loops* Repeat the instructions in ** until the end of your row and only one loop remains on your hook.

To work consecutive rows: To work consecutive rows of Tunisian Purl stitch, repeat the instructions for Row 2 until your work is your desired length. When you’re ready to bind off your piece, follow the instructions for binding off below.

Binding off:

Work as if doing TPS but instead of pulling up a loop and keeping it on your hook, pull up a loop and pull it through the loop on your hook. Repeat across your work until you reach your edge stitch. To do the edge stitch, insert your hook, picking up both loops of the edge of your fabric, YO and pull up a loop and pull that loop through the loop on your hook. FO and weave in ends.