Crochet Tutorial | How to make the Tunisian Box Stitch

In the world of crochet, where each stitch tells a story of creativity and skill, there lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered – the Tunisian Box Stitch. This innovative stitch combines elements of the classic Tunisian Simple Stitch with the intricate Front Post and Back Post Tunisian Crochet Stitches, creating a mesmerizing texture that is both modern and timeless.

Hopefully, you love the crochet waffle stitch like I do and many crocheters for the Tunisian Box Stitch. After some serious Googling, I could only find information about the Tunisian Waffle Stitch and Tunisian Block Stitch. The Tunisian Waffle Stitch looks more like an arrow stitch to me, and nothing like the symmetry and texture of the classic little boxes of the Crochet Waffle Stitch. Whereas the Tunisian Block Stitch is pretty darn close but only offers the raised texture vertically, and really stands out from using two colors.

Take a look at the waffle stitch compared to the tunisian waffle and tunisian block stitches. Do they look similar to you?

I was on a mission to create a tunisian stitch that offered similar little boxes that we have come to love and a similar level of dimension.

The journey to complete this mission led to carefully scouring the pages of the out-of-print and rare book, Encyclopedia of Tunisian Crochet by Angela “Arnie” Grabowski. Within these pages, I discovered the Front Post and Back Post Tunisian Crochet Stitches, which are not the same as front post and back post tunisian double crochet stitches. Of course, I experimented with these stitches but the looseness was not creating the dimension I was aiming for.

These new to me tunisian post stitches created a denser fabric and a difference in height similar to the waffle stitch. Although they are not as deep of a box, I’m happy with the Tunisian Box Stitch texture and over density.

In speaking of density, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to use a large hook for whatever yarn weight you use to practice. Like choose 3-4 sizes larger than what is listed on the yarn ball band. You’ll be able to see the difference once you get to the written and picture tutorial below compared to the video tutorial that hook size has with this stitch.

Grab some yarn, a large hook and a bit of patience to get started with this tunisian crochet tutorial.

MULTIPLES for the Tunisian Stitch

3 row repeat

ABRREVIATIONS TO KNOW

BPtc: back post tunssian crochet

FO: fasten off

FPtc: front post tunisian crochet

FwdP: forward pass

Rep: repeat

RetP: return pass

sl st: slip stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

tss: tunisian simple stitch

YO: yarn over

SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES

FPtc: insert hook front to back to front around the front and back vertical bars, YO and pull up a loop

BPtc: bring the yarn to back, insert hook from back to front to back around the next front and back vertical bars, YO and pull up a loop

It helps to twist the hook as you pull the loop up to prevent the loop from slipping off.

End St: insert hook under both bars front to back, YO and pull up a loop

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products that I use, and think you will enjoy using too. Should you decide to use any such link, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this small business.

Supplies Used:

Loops & Threads Eco-Cozy, bulky #5 (discontinued)

Check out these alternative bulky yarns from YarnSub

Lykke Indigo Interchangeable Tunisian Hook, P(11.5 mm)

Don’t forget the cord to go with the hook

Aluminum Interchangeable Tunisian Hook, 10 mm

NOTES

This tutorial is written in US terms.
Read through the entire tutorial before practicing.
The first vertical bar is always skipped.

Work around next vertical bar refers to the front and back vertical bars.
The RetP is the same for each row, and noted at the end of each row of instruction after Row 1.

Written Instructions for Tunisian Box Stitch

Ch 18, or a multiple of 3

Row 1 FwdP: Starting in 2nd ch from hooks, *insert hook in next st, YO and pull up a loop, rep from * to end.

Row 1 RetP: Ch 1, *YO, pull through 2 loops, rep from * to end. 18 tss

Row 2: FPtc around next st (front and back vertical bars), *BPtc around next 2 sts (front and back vertical bars), FPtc around next st, rep from * to last st, end st. RetP. 2 tss, 6 FPtc, 10 BPtc