Have you ever looked at Tunisian crochet and thought, “That looks way too complicated for me”? I hear you. That dense, woven-looking fabric seems to belong to people who have been crocheting for years.
Here’s the good news: Tunisian crochet is much easier than it looks. And once you learn one simple stitch pattern, you can use it for a bag, a pouch, a scarf, a cushion cover and more.
What Is Tunisian Crochet, Exactly?
Tunisian crochet sits somewhere between knitting and traditional crochet. You pick up all your stitches on the hook as you work across, then work them off on the way back. The result is a thick, sturdy fabric with a lovely texture.
That sturdiness is exactly why it works so well for bags. The fabric holds its shape and looks polished even when you’re still learning.
Why You’ll Love This Stitch
- Beginner-friendly: the video is slow and close-up, so you can see exactly where the hook goes.
- Only one pattern to learn: no long list of stitches to memorize.
- Great with two colors: a bold contrast, like blue and white, makes the texture pop.
- Quick to learn: the whole tutorial is about four minutes.
- Endless uses: the same stitch works for bags, scarves, headbands and more.
What You’ll Need
- Yarn in two contrasting colors (cotton or a sturdy acrylic works well for bags)
- A 3.5 mm hook, as used in the video (a Tunisian hook or one with a cable)
- Scissors
- A tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Optional: a lining, a button or a magnetic snap for closing the bag
Tip: Your yarn decides your hook size. If your fabric curls too much, go up one hook size. Tunisian crochet naturally tends to curl, and a slightly larger hook relaxes it.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your tension relaxed. Tunisian crochet gets stiff fast if you pull too tight.
- Count your stitches. Check at the end of each row so your edges stay straight.
- Don’t panic if it curls. It flattens out once the bag is assembled, or after a light blocking.
- Start with a small swatch. Ten minutes of practice saves you hours later.
- Choose your colors first. Two colors that contrast well show off the stitch texture beautifully.
Watch the Full Tutorial
Ready to try it? Press play and follow along. You can pause at any step and come back to it as many times as you need.
Image and Video tutorial by Knitting my hobby. All rights to the design and tutorial belong to the original creator. Please support their work by liking and subscribing to their YouTube channel.
One Pattern, So Many Projects
Once you know this stitch, you can go far beyond a bag:
- A tote or shoulder bag: work a long rectangle, fold it, and add handles.
- A small pouch: perfect for makeup, cables or coins.
- A cozy scarf: the thick texture keeps you warm.
- A cushion cover: a great way to use leftover yarn.
- A headband: a quick project for gifts.
Make It Your Own
- Swap the colors for soft pastels or neutrals.
- Add a lining for extra strength.
- Add a button, a zipper or a pretty tassel.
- Change the size by adding or removing stitches.
Final Thoughts
A Tunisian crochet bag is proof that a “difficult-looking” project can be simple once someone shows you the steps. Try the stitch, make a small swatch, and you may find yourself with a new favorite technique.
If you make this bag, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to save this tutorial to your Pinterest board for later