The basic Afghan or Tunisian Crochet stitch (sometimes called a Knit Stitch) creates a knit-like fabric with an Afghan or Tunisian Crochet hook. This stitch creates small squares perfect for further decorative needlework. I’ve seen some lovely and complex afghan designs made with this basic stitch used to crochet the main afghan in a single-colored yarn. Then beautiful designs were embroidered or cross-stitched in one or more colors over the afghan’s grid.

In Afghan or Tunisian Crochet (also called Tricot) each row is worked twice using an Afghan or Tunisian hook to “cast on” a forward pass and to “cast off” a return pass.

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Foundation Row: Begin with a regular crochet hook, usually a size smaller than your Afghan/Tunisian crochet hook. Loosely chain the number needed for your project.

Cast-on: Switch to the Afghan/Tunisian crochet hook. For a nice chain bottom edge, work through the back loop of your foundation chain only. *Insert hook under the next back loop, yo, pull through adding a loop to your hook; repeat from * across row.

NOTE: Foundation Row only. To create a nice chain stitch up the non-dominate hand edge, yo on hook before the final loop cast on.

Cast-off: *Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * across row, ending with one loop on hook.

Basic Stitch Rows:

Cast-on: *Insert hook under vertical bar, yo, pull through adding a loop to your hook; repeat from * across, ending by inserting hook under final 2 loops of chain stitch edge. (Picture 2 below shows 2 loops at edge.)

Cast-off: *Yo, pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * across row, ending with one loop on hook.

Binding off: After you have reached the desired length and you have cast-off your final row, place the final single loop over the regular crochet hook you used for the foundation chain. *Insert hook under vertical bar, yo, pull through loop on hook (slip stitch); repeat from * across row, ending with final slip stitch under last 2-loop chain stitch edge. End off. Weave in ends.

NOTE: I like using the slip stitch; however, you can choose to bind off with a single crochet by *inserting hook under vertical bar, yo, pull through, yo pull through 2 loops; repeat from * across row.

For more information, watch video: Afghan or Tunisian Crochet – Basic Stitch