Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Rocking The Tunisian Crochet

by

 cro tunisian shawl

 

Dora Ohrenstein’s new book on Tunisian crochet has just been published.  I decided to turn the blog over to Dora today so she can tell you about her book:

It’s exciting to see Tunisian crochet continue to draw interest and new fans.  If you haven’t yet tried this form of crochet, I urge you to give it a go.  It opens up so many possibilities for new kinds of fabric, shaping strategies and ways to use yarn.

Wanting to learn how to do Tunisian Crochet? Check out this Online course “Tunisian Crochet For Beginners”.

The New Tunisian Book

My just released book The New Tunisian Crochet: (Interweave Press) is chock full of stitch patterns – more than 30! — technical tips and tricks, and stunning patterns by the likes of Vashti Braha, Doris Chan, Lily Chin, and Margaret Hubert, and several others, plus my own designs.  There are stunning wearables, throws, booties, hats and mitts – really useful patterns that I think you’ll enjoy making, and each design has something to teach as well.

tunisian crochet cap and mittens

For example, with Lily’s Terra Hat and Mitts set you can master Tunisian in the round with a double-ended hook, and Lily’s special technique which allows you to change stitches and colors as you go.

Vashti Braha’s breathtaking Rivuline Shawl will change your mind forever on what Tunisian crochet can do — check out these long lacy edges – yes, that is Tunisian crochet!

There’s also a fabulous Entrelac bag by Margaret Hubert, beautiful sweaters by Charles Voth and Andrea Gracierena, Doris Chan’s lace skirt worked on the bias, and Lisa Daehlin’s awesome throw.  My Lorelei sweater (on the cover) has the look of dropped stitches in knitting, and is worked in vertical rows in a very simple Tee shape, and the Najmee rug is based on a mitered concept that transforms into a star shape, dressed up with exciting colors.

One of the things I really enjoyed about writing this book was the opportunity to research stitches from many different sources:  I found them in Victorian era needlework encyclopedias, in Weldon’s magazines reprints, in American and British books from the 1970s, and in modern Japanese books.  I also included special techniques like short row circles, entrelac, cables, combining Tunisian with regular crochet, and converting knitting stitches to Tunisian.

Interweave has done a fabulous job with photos, complete stitch diagrams for all the stitches, and captured the mood and feel of Tunisia in the book’s design.

I do believe this book may convert you to Tunisian if you aren’t already a fan, and for those who are, you will greatly expand your vocabulary of Tunisian stitches and techniques.

Stay tuned for a Giveaway of Dora’s wonderful new book!

Comments

  1. My 12 year old is over the moon with Tunsian crochet! Can’t wait for the giveaway! Maybe I can win a book for her. She has been looking for more patterns and projects for this.

  4. I, too, am just learning basic Tunisian crochet stitches. I’ve been practicing so I can make an entrlac afghan from a pattern I have plus whatever other beautiful things I feel I can handle. I know this book would inspire me. Just signed up for your Crochet Insider newsletter for more helpful and interesting info and plan to try a different yarn hold with traditional crochet. Thanks for all your work to spread knowledge of and joy in crochet.

Have you read?

The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book: That Rooster Had Me Hooked

Apparently, this is the year chickens took over my crafting attention. First came the emotional support chickens, then the pocket chickens, and now a rooster has managed to talk me into looking at another crochet book.

Honestly, put a crocheted chicken in front of me at this point and I’m going to stop scrolling.

That is exactly what happened with The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book. The rooster sucked me in before I had even properly investigated what else was inside. After all the emotional support chicken crochet patterns we’ve been sharing, you would think I’d have had enough poultry. Apparently, there is still room in the imaginary yarn coop.

Now, a little honesty before we go any further: I haven’t read this book yet or tried its patterns. This is a look at why it has caught my attention ahead of publication. I have a very good feeling about this one, and I’m expecting it to be a lovely addition to the crochet bookshelf.

What’s Inside The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book?

The publisher describes a collection of 25 crochet patterns with variations for more than 45 amigurumi projects, created by ConcernedApe, Megan Lapp and Ryan Novak.

The announced projects include Junimos, Slimes, chickens, a Junimo Hut and familiar game items. There are simpler projects such as Eggs alongside more challenging makes, including the Mermaid Pendant.

The chicken variations are particularly tempting, with different beaks, combs and tail feathers, plus White, Blue, Brown, Golden and Void varieties. You can probably see why my attention keeps wandering back to the coop.

It is scheduled for release on 26 January 2027 through Random House Worlds, with 240 pages in the hardcover edition.

Why This Crochet Book Is on My Radar

What appeals to me is the combination of recognisable characters and slightly ridiculous little objects. Those are often the crochet projects that make me smile most. A useful blanket is wonderful, but sometimes you simply want a tiny yarn creature keeping you company beside the sewing machine.

If you’ve enjoyed our emotional support pocket chicken crochet feature, you’ll understand the attraction. Small, characterful projects have a way of becoming much more tempting than the sensible project already waiting in your basket.

For Stardew Valley fans, there is also the pleasure of making something connected to a favourite game. We’ve previously shared a Junimo crochet pattern, so this feels like a lovely next book to explore for readers who enjoy that crossover between gaming and yarn.

Would I Add It to My Crochet Wishlist?

Absolutely. I can’t yet comment on the clarity of the instructions, the finishing details or how the patterns work up. Those are things I would want to assess with the book and a hook in hand.

But based on the announced collection, I know this is going to be a good one for my kind of crochet browsing: plenty of personality, playful projects and chickens I’m already mentally choosing yarn for.

You can take a closer look at The Official Stardew Valley Crochet Book on Amazon.

I came for the rooster. I suspect I’ll stay for the rest of the farm.