Lots of pictures today!
The Afghan Stitch used in Tunisian Crochet (click this link to see a picture in a previous post) is really easy to do. It is a cross between knitting and crochet using a long straight crochet hook that looks like a knitting needle with a hook on the end.
Here is a picture of my "F" hook:
The hook is long for Tunisian crochet because it has to hold the fabric during stitching, like a knitting needle. The fabric created with this stitch makes a fabric that is more solid than normal crochet.
You start by making a chain of the required length (my pictures, as always, are left-handed)
then you pick up loops in each of the stitches across the chain row
When you get to the end of the chain, you stitch off the loops by pulling the yarn through two loops at a time, like the top of a crochet stitch. You do not turn the work at all.
The stitch looks like a row of chain made through the loops
On the next row, you use the vertical loop of the stitch from the previous row to pick up the next row of loops.
Be sure that you pick up loops all the way to the end of the row to keep the edges square.
If you practice with a second color, it makes it much easier to see how the stitch is formed.
As you pick up the new loops, the chain row slides down the back of the loop, filling in the fabric.
The rows of loops create lines up the front of the fabric.
The back side of the fabric looks like rows of purl stitch in knitting
It's really easy to follow the vertical lines the stitch creates
The pieces curl like crazy until they are attached to another piece or edged. They have to be trained flat.
There are lots of variations to create many different textures and looks.
I hope you try this stitch.
