The Tunisian Checkerboard Square is part of the Creative Crossings blanket. This was a collaborative project between 15 designers, as a token of appreciation for Lorene Eppolite is Cre8tion Crochet. We were lucky enough to be a part of her beta group in Cre8tion Business Academy. We worked together to create sqaures for the gorgeous blanket to match the Cre8tion Crochet theme using Red Heart Soft in Deep Sea, Berry, Off White and Charcoal. The Tunisian Checkerboard Square was made in charcoal, but would look lovely in any color.

The Tunisian Checkerboard was inspired by tunisian entrelac, but rather than use two or more colors, I decided to use just one color that creates solid and open squares, like a checkerboard!

I have always been fascinated and intimidated by tunisian crochet, so to design a small project with tunisian was a great introduction. And since it’s small squares, you don’t need a tunisian or afghan hook. All you need is a straight neck hook to make these little squares.

Below is the free crochet pattern for the Tunisian Checkerboard Square. Be sure to check out the Kisses Square and all the rest to make your Creative Crossing blanket in your choice of four colors. (Did you check out the gorgeous edging designed by Kirsten Holloway Designs? ?)

Want a PDF version of this pattern? Grab it from Ravelry for a small fee

Difficulty: Intermediate

Materials Needed:

Hook: H/5mm Furls Crochet Streamline Hook

Yarn: Red Heart Soft in charcoal, or any worsted weight yarn

Scissors

Needle

Stitches Used:

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

st(s): stitch(es)

slst: slip stitch 

Additional Terms:

Rem: remaining

Ret: return pass

YO: yarn over

BL: back loop

Gauge: 7 loops x 5 rows in Tunisian Simple Stitch = 1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″ square

Measurements: 12 in (30.5 cm) x 12 in (30.5 cm) after blocking

Additional Notes

• Pattern is written in US terms.
• Count to ensure 7 loops are on hook before starting the return pass
• Ch 3 counts as dc throughout the pattern
• Follow the diagram at the end of the pattern to know the direction that the squares will be made. They are in numerical order.
• Do not turn at the end of each row of the square.
• Block square to final measurements.
• Extra rows of edging can be added to make square larger than 12” (30.5 cm)

Instructions:

First Square

Row 1 Forward Pass: Ch 7, working through the bump on the back of the chain, insert hook through second ch from hook, *YO, pull up a loop. Repeat from * in each ch across (7 loops on hook)

Ret Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through two loops. Repeat from * until one loop remains.

Row 2 -5 Forward: *Insert hook from right to left under next vertical bar, YO, pull up a loop. Repeat from * in each vertical bar across

Ret Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through two loops. Repeat from * until one loop remains.

Row 3-5: Repeat Row 2 Forward and Ret. After Row 5, ch 7

Squares 2-6

Working in the ch-7 (represented by the black dots in the diagram at the bottom of each square), make each square in the same manner as Square 1. Be sure to ch 7 after each Row 5 Ret.

Square 6: After Row 5 Ret, 5 slst in the BL down of the Square 6 (follow the arrow), ch 12 (counts as ch-5 and ch-7 for next square)

Squares 7-10

Working in the ch-7 (represented by the black dots in the diagram at the bottom of each square), make each square in the same manner as Square 1. Be sure to ch 7 after each Row 5 Ret

Square 10: After row 5 Ret, ch 5, slst to join to Square 1 (follow the arrow), 5 slst in the BL across the bottom of Square 1, rotate the piece to 5 slst in BL up the side of Square 1 (follow the arrow), ch 12

Squares 11-14 

Working in the ch-7 (represented by the black dots in the chart at the bottom of each square), make each square in the same manner as Square 1. Be sure to ch 7 after each Row 5 Ret, except Square 14

Square 14: After row 5 Ret, ch 5, slst to join to top go Square 6. FO

Squares 15-16

Attach yarn in the top left corner of Square 11 (1st Attach Here), ch 12

Working in the ch-7 (represented by the black dots in the diagram at the bottom of each square), make each square in the same manner as Square 1. Be sure to ch 7 after Row 5 Ret, except for Square 16

Square 16: After Row 5 Ret, ch 5, slst to join to Square 14, FO

Squares 17-18

Attach yarn in top left corner of Square 7 (2nd Attach Here), ch 12

Working in the ch-7 (represented by the black dots in the diagram at the bottom of each square), make each square in the same manner as Square 1. Be sure to ch 7 after Row 5 Ret, except for Square 18

Square 18: After Row 5 Ret, ch 5, slst to join to Square 10, FO

Edging

Attach yarn to top left corner of Square 16 (3rd Attach Here), ch 10, slst to top left corner of Square 15, FO

Rotate piece and attach yarn to top left corner of Square 17 (4th Attach Here), ch 10, slst to join to Square 18.

Row 1: ch 1, sc in next 5 ch, ch 2 (corner made), sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 17, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 7, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 6, ch 2 (corner made), 5 sc across next side of  Square 6, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 14, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across Square 16, sc in next 5 ch, ch 2 (corner made), sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 15, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across Square 11, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 1, ch 2 (corner made), 5 sc across next side of Square 1, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across side of Square 10, sc in next 5 ch, 5 sc across Square 18, slst to join to first sc. (120 sc, 8 ch)

Row 2-3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), *dc in each st across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-2. Repeat from * three more times, dc in each st across, slst to join to ch-3, FO

Block your square to the final measurement of 12” x 12”, and enjoy!

Table 1. Square Diagram

• Dotted Lines represent chains for starting each square and across the open sides of the total square
• The arrows represent the direction of the chain groups and the direction that the piece will be rotated in order to continue the pattern.
• The upside down squares represent that the piece will be rotated in order to continue pattern.
• Edging rows are not represented in the diagram. 

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Table 1. Square Diagram

• Dotted Lines represent chains for starting each square and across the open sides of the total square
• The arrows represent the direction of the chain groups and the direction that the piece will be rotated in order to continue the pattern.
• The upside down squares represent that the piece will be rotated in order to continue pattern.
• Edging rows are not represented in the diagram.