It’s the stitch that has everyone saying “Is that REALLY crochet?!” Yes, it is! Meet the Tunisian crochet smock stitch, a brilliantly easy pattern that always looks magnificent.
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I first encountered the Tunisian crochet smock stitch early in my TC research. Photos of a pillow made with the smock stitch were sweeping Pinterest but I couldn’t find a pattern and all of the tutorials were in a language I didn’t understand.
After hours of practice, I finally got the Tunisian crochet smock stitch down and I’m excited to finally share it with you. I’ve simplified the tutorial so even the newest beginner can make this gorgeous stitch.
Ready to try the interesting Tunisian Crochet Smock Stitch?! Grab your crochet hooks and watch this video:
Learn even more Tunisian crochet with these helpful videos:
- Tunisian Crochet for Absolute Beginners [watch here]
- How to Choose and Use Tunisian Crochet Hooks [watch here]
- 5 More Tunisian Crochet Stitches to Try [watch here]
Holiday Tunisian Sampler Blanket – Smock Stitch Square Pattern
This tutorial was made as a supplement to the Smock Stitch Square as part of the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket. Find the full pattern to make your square below.
Join the Holiday TCAL 2020 event! This free crochet along to make the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket runs from October to November 2020. Get full details in this blog post and join the fun!
Smock Stitch Square Pattern
*Get the printable PDF version of the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket pattern HERE.
MATERIALS
- Worsted weight yarn – color D
- 6.5mm Tunisian crochet hook with 16″ cord
- 6mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
FINISHED SIZE
12 x 12 inches square after blocking
GAUGE
The gauge varies for each square of the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket. Reference the starting chain stitch multiple to make adjustments to your square. All squares should measure about 11.5″ square before the border is added.
ABBREVIATIONS
- 2sc = 2 single crochet in the same stitch (increase made)
- Ch = chain
- Lts = last Tunisian stitch (see Special Stitches below)
- RetP = return pass
- Sc = single crochet
- Sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (decrease made)
- St(s) = stitch(es)
- Tss = Tunisian simple stitch
- Tss2tog = Tunisian simple stitch 2 together (see Special Stitches below)
- Yu = yarn under (see Special Stitches below)
SPECIAL STITCHES
- Last Tunisian Stitch (Lts) – insert hook under BOTH vertical bars of the last stitch and complete as for Tunisian simple stitch
- Tunisian Simple Stitch 2 Together (tss2tog) – insert hook under the front vertical bar of each of the next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through both loops
- Yarn Under (yu): bring yarn to front of the hook as for Tunisian purl stitch, hold yarn against the hook with your index finger before completing the next stitch
STITCH MULTIPLE
Work the Tunisian Smock Stitch over any even number of stitches.
BORDER NOTES
To ensure that all squares of the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket will join evenly, apply the Standard Border. All squares need to have 35 single crochet stitches on each size. This means you will have to increase the number of edge stitches in some cases, and decrease the number of edge stitches in other places.
- To increase the number of stitches along an edge, evenly place 2sc increases along the edge where needed.
- To decrease the number of stitches along an edge, evenly place sc2tog decreases along the edge where needed.
INSTRUCTIONS
ROW 1: With D and 6.5mm Tunisian crochet hook, ch 38, pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and each remaining ch, RetP.
ROW 2: (Tss2tog, yu) across to last st, Lts, RetP.
ROW 3: Tss 1, (tss2tog, yu) across to last 2 sts, tss 1, Lts, RetP.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until your square measures 11.5″ tall. My square had a total of 36 rows.
Slip stitch in each vertical bar loosely to bind off. Do not cut yarn.
STANDARD BORDER
- Change to 6mm crochet hook and ensure the square is facing right side up.
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), single crochet 35 stitches evenly across the first edge of the square, placing increases and decreases where needed. At corner, ch 2 and rotate to work along the next edge.
- Single crochet 35 stitches evenly across the edge, placing increases and decreases where needed. At corner, ch 2 and rotate to work along the next edge.
- Repeat Step 3 for the remaining 2 sides. At the end of the round, join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet of the round. Fasten off and block your finished square to 12″ x 12″.
Click HERE to access stitch patterns for the other squares in the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket.
Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket Layout
Get the printable PDF version of the Tunisian Holiday Sampler Blanket here.
Hi! First, thanks for all your work on the TCAL.
Here, for finishing, you say:
“Slip stitch in each vertical bar loosely to bind off.”
In the pdf of the pattern I purchased, it says to “slip stitch bind off loosely”. I thought that just meant on slip stitch. Should I slip stitch down the entire row?
Hi! The slip stitch bind off means to slip stitch in each stitch across the row to bind off all of your live stitches. So, yes, you’ll want to slip stitch in each stitch across the row to complete your bind off.
I love this stitch! It took me a few tries to get the hang of it, but once my fingers got used to the motions, it works up so satisfyingly 🙂 my only problem is that even after adding stitches (I chained 42) and keeping pretty relaxed tension, it seems like my stitches relaxed upwards and not sideways– my width is still barely over 10″ (before the edging) but 36 rows gets me to 11″ in height. It’s pretty stretchy so I plan to just block it, but is there something I might be missing?
How do you recommend decreasing while working a smock stitch? I’m trying to make a headband with this stitch and I’m struggling with decreases… just making it up as I go and I’m stuck. ☹️
Hi! I haven’t practiced internal decreases with the Smock stitch, but you can start the row with slip stitches to decrease on the right side, or slip stitch on the left side for decreases there too.
Hi Toni! The pattern here seems slightly different from the smock stitch tutorial you did with the Bernat Home Dec yarn. In that there were some yarn overs in the beginning before the TS2tog in both rows and I think before the end LTS? I was just curious about the differences, and whether it affects the look (I was following that video and wanted to reference here to repeat beyond the number of rows without rewinding but it seems different slightly.) thank you for all of these amazing stitch tutorials!!
Hi! The newer tutorial is slightly different to try and deal with some of the issues folks had losing stitches toward the end of the row. It doesn’t impact the overall look of the stitch.
This is a great tutorial! I’m a beginner crocheter and this was really helpful.
This is a great tutorial! I’m a beginner crocheter and this was really helpful.