Tunisian Crochet
Have you ever wanted to make something using the Tunisian crochet technique? Today I am sharing with you a beautiful tunisian stitch called the honeycomb stitch.
This unique style of crochet offers a more dense weave and it allows for a more knit-like technique to the piece you are making.
I am absolutely in love with this dress and I will say, the Lion Brand ZZ Twist yarn is completely breathtaking!
How To Tunisian Crochet
Before we get to the pattern I want to go over what Tunisian crochet is and provide you with the tools I use and share the tips I have for getting started with this beautiful style of crochet.
Tunisian crochet is created using an extra long crochet hook. The idea is the same as regular crochet but instead of “turning” your work you will simply move back and forth.
In the video below I explain exactly how to complete the Tunisian honeycomb stitch so you can have all the confidence you need moving forward to make this beautiful dress for your self.
After watching the video I trust you are more than ready to get started on your very own Amelia dress!
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Materials
- Lion Brand ZZ Twist in the color Cranberry (get some here) ***1250-2500 yards depending on the size
- 6MM tunisian crochet hook (get the same ones I use here), I have recently fell in love with my Denise interchangeable Tunisian hooks (check them out here)
- tapestry needle (get a set here)
- scissors (get my favorite Fiskar scissors here)
Pattern Notes
I have designed this dress to be fitted against the body. If you prefer a more loose fit I would recommend you size up.
The sizes available are XS – 5X: the sizes will be written like so – XS( S. M. L. XL. 2X. 3X. 4X. 5X)
GAUGE IS: 18sts X 20rows = 4″squared
If you have ever made one of my garments you know I typically create each piece with a similar assembly style. You will have 2 identical body panels (1 front, 1 back) and 2 identical sleeve panels.
Everything is seamed together like this example from the Roxy Top Lace Sweater:
The sleeves are one of my favorite parts in this design. As you can see in the photos below they offer coverage to the top part of the arm. A place that most of us would prefer to hide!
It’s not too long where you would get hot but enough that you feel beautiful and elegant when you aren’t wearing a coat for those colder Fall and winter days.
Abbreviations
Tss – Tunisian simple stitch
- Insert hooks from right to left behind the single vertical thread.
- Yarn Over
- Draw loop through and leave on the hook.
Tps – Tunisian purl stitch
- Bring yarn to the front. Insert hook from right to left behind the single vertical thread.
- Take yarn to the back of the work and yarn over. Draw loop through and leave on hook.
***refer to the video above for more visual instructions
Tunisian Crochet Dress Pattern:
***Please note there is a PDF version available on Ravelry if you are interested.
Body Panel (make 2)
CH 63 (72, 81, 90, 99, 108, 117, 126, 135)
Row 1 – Forward pass: (right to left). Draw up a loop in the 2nd CH from the hook. Draw up a loop in each remaining CH to the end of the CH, leaving all the loops on the hook. (however many you chain is how many loops will be on your hook) DO NOT TURN.
Row 2 – Backwards pass: (left to right). YO and draw through the last loop on the hook (edge stitch). * YO and draw through 2 loops. Rep from * until 1 loop remains on the hook. DO NOT TURN.
Row 3 – Forward pass: (right to left). *1 tps in next stitch. 1 tss in next stitch. Repeat from * to end of row.
Row 4 – Backwards pass: (left to right). YO and draw through the last loop on the hook (edge stitch). * YO and draw through 2 loops. Rep from * until 1 loop remains on the hook. DO NOT TURN.
Row 5 – Forward pass: (right to left). *1 tss in next stitch. 1 tps in next stitch. Repeat from * to last 2 sts. 1 tss in each of the last 2 sts.
Row 6 – Rows 192 (194, 195, 198, 198, 200, 200, 202, 202): repeat rows 2 – 5
Row 193(195, 196, 199, 199, 201, 201, 203, 203) – CLOSING ROW : *SL ST in next vertical bar. Repeat from * to end of row. Tie off.
Sleeves (make 2)
CH 44 (46, 50, 54, 61, 70, 77, 83, 83)
Row 1 –
Forward pass: (right to left). Draw up a loop in the 2nd CH from the hook. Draw up a loop in each remaining CH to the end of the CH, leaving all the loops on the hook. (however many you chain is how many loops will be on your hook) DO NOT TURN.
Row 2 – Backwards pass: (left to right). YO and draw through the last loop on the hook (edge stitch). * YO and draw through 2 loops. Rep from * until 1 loop remains on the hook. DO NOT TURN.
Row 3 – Forward pass: (right to left). *1 tps in next stitch. 1 tss in next stitch. Repeat from * to end of row.
Row 4 – Backwards pass: (left to right). YO and draw through the last loop on the hook (edge stitch). * YO and draw through 2 loops. Rep from * until 1 loop remains on the hook. DO NOT TURN.
Row 5 – Forward pass: (right to left). *1 tss in next stitch. 1 tps in next stitch. Repeat from * to last 2 sts. 1 tss in each of the last 2 sts.
Row 6 – Rows 48 (50, 54, 54, 58, 64, 80, 86, 86): repeat rows 2 – 5
Row 49( 51, 55, 55, 59, 65, 81, 87, 87) – CLOSING ROW : *SL ST in next vertical bar. Repeat from * to end of row. Tie off.
How To Seam A Dress
Once you are ready to seam everything together, you are going to start with the shoulders. You want to leave a head gap of appr. 8 – 12 inches. You can decide how large or small you want everything based on your personal preferences.
After you seam the shoulders you are going to then attach the sleeves. Keep the middle your sleeve aligned with the shoulder seam (***see photographic above)
I prefer to use a SC row to attach my garments together. I believe it offers a more secure, finished look. So choose a crochet hook of equal or smaller size and begin seaming all your panels/sleeves.
It’s important to remember you want to keep all of your right sides together so that all seams are on the inside of your dress.
Be sure to get your PDF version HERE on Ravelry so you can have it readily available in your pattern library!
If you decide to make an Amelia dress of your own we would love to see it! Be sure you tag my on social media @yarnhookneedles or you can join our Facebook group HERE and share your makes with the growing community!
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Cathy
The video tutorial volume is not loud enough to hear your teaching stitch instructions?
Cathy
In the body pattern it jumps from row 5 to row 192? With no apparent instructions regarding row 6- 191?
Jerica
Hello Cathy!
I dusted the pattern so it reads correctly. Row 6 – 191 are repeats of rows 2- 5. Thank you so much for letting me know about the error!
Catherine
Hi! Is there a sizing guide for this or are you using the Crochet Councils guideline for xs, sm, med etc.?
Catherine
Never mind, I found my answer in another comment 😁
Audrey
Hi! I’m having trouble with the gauge. I chose a similar yarn to ZZ twist and started with a 6 mm crochet, it was way to big and slack. I tried with smaller hooks. I’m now trying it with a 3.5 mm crochet and still don’t match the gauge. It is not the first Tunisian crochet pattern in which this happens. The yarn I chose is 267 yards for 100 g, it’s a DK eight yarn.
Can you help me? I love this pattern and wish to succeed in making it.
Thanks so much for your help.
Cathy
Is this pattern made from top down? From bottom up? Is it a corner to corner pattern? What size are you wearing in picture?
I’m searching o,line for stitch instructions as your video volume is not working? On high can’t even hear it unfortunately.
Jerica
I’m wearing a medium. The panels can be flipped either way. The way it works up it doesn’t have a “top” or “bottom” part.
I’m so sorry about the volume on the video. I’m not exactly sure what the problem is but we are looking into it. Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to help you!
Cathy
Thank you so much it’s such a beautiful dress! I’m going to try my skill at it lol!
Marilyn
How many yards of yarn to get for a size small? Thank you
Julie
Hi Marilyn, 1390 yards for a size small.
Caroline
What are the measurements for the XS, S, M? Bust, hips, waist, etc. I can’t tell what size I would be.
Jerica
Hi Caroline!
If you visit the craftyarncouncil.com/standards/woman-size you can view their sizing standards.
I try to always base my sizing from this guide. Please let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Wei
Is this blocked? 18st for me comes out to 3″. I’m using a 6mm hook
Julie
Hi Wei, Julie here, The gauge is not based on blocking. It sounds like you crochet like me… I tend to have a tighter tension. Jerica has a looser tension. I would recommend going up a hook size.
Valeri K. Paxton-Steele
Hi there! My name is Valeri. I’ve crocheted for 7 years and always wanted to try Tunisian. I finally invested in T. hooks (they arrived yesterday!) and it was THIS dress and YOUR excellent video tutorial that actually inspired me to finally learn. I haven’t bought the yarn yet, but have been practicing this honeycomb stitch with paintbox yarn (DK weight 3) and I LOVE it. It’s wonderful that I am getting the hang of two important Tunisian crochet stitches in one easy to understand pattern! I’ve never made a wearable garment, other than scarves, hats, shawls and fingerless gloves/gauntlets. The beauty of the dress is the simplicity of the construction. I don’t feel as if I have “bitten off more than I can chew” with this. The video played low but I could hear every word. It may have helped that everyone in the house was asleep! I just wanted to say thank you. This is a new adventure for me, and I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation! Thank you so much. Hugs.
Julie
Wow! Thank you for such kind words!
Cal
What would you recommend as a substitute for the (discontinued) yarn? I’m allergic to acrylic, so looked at 24/7 cotton. Then I thought that perhaps bounciness was needed, so a wool or blend
Michala
How much yarn would be used for the size medium?
Norma
I’m not sure you know but Ravelry is selling your pattern. I can’t see to find a clean PDF file for the Tunisian Crochet Amelia Dress Pattern anywhere. If anyone can guide me to one I would appreciate it.
AdThrive User
Hi! Is Ravelry selling it through a different account than mine? do you happen to have a link?