I’m so excited to be kicking off the first CAL Central Crochet Along of 2018! In the New Year, New Skill CAL, you’ll learn or master 9 different crochet stitches or techniques, starting with Tunisian crochet. The Moss Stitch Hat is a simple slouchy hat that’s crocheted flat with two basic Tunisian crochet stitches. I’ve even linked up several tutorials to help Tunisian crochet newbies (or those needing a refresher).
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for the sample were generously provided by Denise Interchangeables and Lion Brand. Outdoor photos by Kirsten Holloway Designs.
Tunisian Crochet Basics
Are you new to Tunisian crochet? I first tried it back in 2007 when I was in the Craft Yarn Council’s Certified Instructor Program and I immediately fell in love! Tunisian crochet is a deceptively simple crochet technique that uses a specialized hook with a stopper on the end. These hooks are made in a variety of materials…
… but my favorite Tunisian crochet hooks are the ones made by Denise Interchangeables (like the one on the far right above). To make this project, I used the N-15/10 mm hook from my Denise2Go Crochet for a Cure 2-Hook Set (shown below). (This set has two hooks in each size, so you can also use it for double-ended crochet.) You can read my review of Denise hooks here.
So, why do you need a hook with a stopper? Well, unlike “standard” crochet, each row of Tunisian crochet includes two parts: a “forward,” where you pick up loops that you keep on the hook (kind of like in knitting) and a “return,” where you work those loops off the hook. Tunisian crochet creates a “knit-like” look and the fabric you make with the yarn feels different than what you make with a standard crochet hook.
Today’s pattern for the Moss Stitch Hat uses two of Tunisian crochet’s main stitches: the Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) and the Tunisian Purl Stitch (Tps). In the hat band, the stitches are combined to create columns, like ribbing, but in the hat, they are combined to create an alternating texture.
If you’re new to Tunisian crochet, I’ve included links to tutorials throughout the pattern. I also want to recommend some of my favorite Tunisian crochet resources.
I’ve compiled some of my favorite Tunisian crochet books available on Amazon below.
Kim Guzman is an incredibly talented Tunisian crochet designer and teacher. You can find her free Tunisian crochet resources (including over four hours of videos and loads of free patterns) here.
If you’re hungry for more Tunisian crochet, check out these posts from the archives. Click on the images to link directly to the free patterns.
- Interview with Tunisian crochet Master Kim Guzman,
- Interview with Tunisian crochet Master Julia Bryant,
- Interview with Tunisian crochet Master Aoibhe Ni Shuilleabhain,
- Interview with Tunisian crochet Master Sharon Silverman,
- 12 free Tunisian crochet patterns roundup, and
- Review of the Custom-Fit Tunisian Crochet class on Craftsy.
You can find out more about the New Year, New Skill Crochet Along here. Enter your completed project pictures through March, 17, 2018 for your chance to win a prize from our amazing giveaway sponsors!
If you make your own Moss Stitch Hat, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
Add the Moss Stitch Hat to your Ravelry favorites or queue.
If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.
Moss Stitch Hat
Tunisian Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter
This simple slouchy hat is crocheted flat with two basic Tunisian crochet stitches.
Finished Size
- Adult: 23” (58.5 cm) hat circumference x 8.5” (21.5 cm) height.
Materials
- Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick yarn (80% acrylic/20% wool, 6 oz/170 g/106 yd/97 m) – 1 skein each in 640 Marble (CA) and 535 River Run (CB), or approximately 32 yd (29 m) in CA and 88 yd (80.5 m) in CB in any super bulky yarn.
- US Size N-15/10 mm Tunisian crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge. (I used my Denise2Go Crochet for a Cure 2-Hook Set.)
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- 5 sts = 2” (5 cm) in pattern for band. For best fit, always check your gauge.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- CA – Color A
- CB – Color B
- ch – chain
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- Standard Return = Ch 1, *yo and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * across.
- Tps – Tunisian purl stitch – Bring yarn to front, insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and draw up loop onto hook. Kim Guzman’s video tutorial for this stitch is available here.
- Tps2tog – Tunisian purl stitch 2 sts together – Bring yarn to front, insert hook under next 2 vertical bars, yo and draw up loop onto hook. (Decreases 1 st)
- Tss – Tunisian simple stitch – Insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and draw up loop onto hook. Kim Guzman’s video tutorial for this stitch is available here.
- Tss2tog – Tunisian simple stitch 2 sts together – Insert hook under next 2 vertical bars, yo and draw up loop onto hook. Kim Guzman’s video tutorial for this stitch is available here. (Decreases 1 st)
- yo – yarn over
- * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Tunisian crochet rows are worked in 2 parts (forward and return) without turning. Always skip first vertical bar (below first loop on hook) at beginning of row.
- For more even edges and easy seaming, insert hook under both loops of last st for final Tss or Tps of each row.
Pattern Instructions
Band
- With CA, ch 5.
- Foundation Row: Forward: Turn, skip first ch, *insert hook in next ch, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook; repeat from * across. (Kim Guzman has a great Tunisian crochet foundation row tutorial here.) Work Standard Return (see Special Stitches). (5 sts)
- Row 1: Forward: Tps in next st, Tss in next st, Tps in next st, Tss in last st. Work Standard Return. (5 sts)
- Repeat Row 1 until band measures approximately 23” (58.6 cm).
- Final Row: Bind off: *Insert hook as for Tps, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops, insert hook as for Tss, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * across. Fasten off.
Hat
- With CB and working along long edge of band, evenly pick up 48 sts along edge. (To pick up sts, *insert hook in edge of band, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook; repeat across until 48 loops are on hook.) Work Standard Return.
- Row 1: *Tps in next st, Tss in next st; repeat from * across. Work Standard Return. (48 sts)
- Row 2: *Tss in next st, Tps in next st; repeat from * across. Work Standard Return.
- Repeat Rows 1-2 until hat measures approximately 7.5” (19 cm) including band, ending after Row 2 Standard Return.
- Row 3: *Tps2tog in next 2 sts, Tps in next st, Tss in next st; repeat from * across to last 3 sts, Tps in next st, Tss in next 2 sts. Work Standard Return. (37 sts)
- Row 4: *Tss2tog in next 2 sts, Tps in next st; repeat from * across to last 2 sts, Tss2tog. Work Standard Return. (25 sts)
- Row 5: *Tps2tog in next 2 sts, Tss2tog in next 2 sts; repeat from * across to last 4 sts, Tps2tog in next 2 sts, Tss in next 2 sts. Work Standard Return. (14 sts)
- Row 6: *Tss2tog in next 2 sts, Tps2tog in next 2 sts; repeat from * across to last st, Tss in last st. Work Standard Return. (8 sts)
- Row 7: Bind off: *Insert hook as for Tps2tog, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops,** insert hook as for Tss2tog, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * to ** once, insert hook as for Tss, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. Fasten off with long (approximately 24”/61 cm) yarn tail for seaming.
Finishing
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail. Seam hat closed with right (front) sides together using a whipstitch seam. (You can find my photo tutorial for the whipstitch seam here.) Turn hat right side out.
- With yarn needle, weave in yarn tails on inside of hat.
© 2018 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2018/01/15/tunisian-crochet-pattern-moss-stitch-hat. Thanks for supporting indie designers!
If you make your own Moss Stitch Hat, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter, Instragram as @ucrafter, or Twitter as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
Add the Moss Stitch Hat to your Ravelry favorites or queue.
If you want an easy print format, you can buy an ad-free PDF version on Craftsy.
I just learned to Tunisian crochet! I’ll try that hat, thanks:))
I have never Tunisian crochet. This looks like a great project to try. Ty