[Nfb-krafters-korner] Tunisian crochet, also known as Afghan crochet, is ...

[Blindhands at aol.com]

Thank you so much for this information.  Now I kinda am picturing a  
knitting needle with a hook on the end instead of a point???  I am also  thinking 
that it needs some type of stopper or end like what is on a knitting  needle 
so the stitches don't slide off.
 
I had done Afghan  crochet going back so long ago so I did not  remember 
much details, but I did remember that it makes a certain weave type  texture 
and it was a warm weave.  I am thinking it depends on what size  block or 
what you are making that will help determine the length of the needle  you 
might need.
 
Joyce  Kane
_www.KraftersKorner.org_ (http://www.krafterskorner.org/) 
Blindhands at AOL.com   

 
In a message dated 1/11/2012 6:07:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
flowersandherbs at gmail.com writes:

Hi  all,



As is my habit, I decided to do a bit of research to try  to get a better
understanding of something I do not know anything about. So  I researched to
find out what Tunisian crochet actually is. so I found this  description on
wikkipedia, one of my favorite research sites. I thought I'd  share my
findings with all of you. 



Yes, certainly I will  still take the class. it sounds interesting and a bit
daunting as  well.



Cathy





Tunisian crochet,  also known as Afghan crochet, is a type of 

crochet

that uses an  elongated 

hook,

often with a stopper on the handle end, called  an Afghan hook. It is
sometimes considered to be a mixture of crocheting  and 

knitting.

As such, some techniques used in knitting are  also applicable in Tunisian
crochet. One example is the  

intarsia

method.



The work is begun with the  traditional starting chain, a series of slip
stitches. Once the chain is  completed, the first row is worked by inserting
the

hook back into  the previous link of the chain, and a loop from the free end
of the yarn is  grabbed with the hook and pulled back through the  link.
Unlike

traditional crochet, however, this new loop is not then  pulled through the
initial loop. Both remain on the hook and then the  process is repeated,
working

from right to left, until each link in  the chain has been worked. At the
end, there will be as many loops on the  hook as there are stitches 
required.
This

process is called  

casting on.

This is the first of two parts for creating a  row.



The work is never turned. Once the correct number of loops  is obtained, the
process is reversed with each loop being worked off from  the hook by 
pulling

a fresh loop of yarn through each stitch, working  from left to right. It is
both parts of the process which form a completed  row. The tension of the
yarn

is much looser than in standard crochet  or knitting.



Tunisian crochet can also be worked in the round,  as when making a seamless
cap. To work in the round a double-ended crochet  hook and two balls of yarn

are used. The first hook and ball of yarn  are used to add loops (casting
on). When the process is reversed (as  described above), the loops are 
worked
off

using the second hook and  second ball of yarn.



There are a variety of stitches than can  be created, dependent on how and
where the hook is inserted and how the  working yarn is held. Tunisian
stitches

include variations on knit,  purl, post stitch, and entrelac, to name a few.



The fabric  created by Tunisian crochet is slightly less elastic than normal
crochet  and substantially thicker, particularly the knit stitch. This makes

it  most suitable for blankets and winter knits, but unsuitable for finer
items  like babywear and socks. The fabric also has a tendency to curl,  and
usually

needs to be shaped by wetting or steaming the fabric  (known as blocking)
upon completion. It is slightly faster to create fabric  by Tunisian than
normal

crochet, and approximately twice the speed  of  knitting.

_______________________________________________
Nfb-krafters-korner  mailing  list
Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
To  unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for  
Nfb-krafters-korner:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/blindhands%
40aol.com