amberblissthis Linked crochet stitches are your new best friend if you LOVE the look of Tunisian crochet but want to give it a try before investing in brand new hooks and a whole new crafting obsession! I call this stitch FAUX Tunisian though Tunisian crochet enthusiasts will tell you it’s not FAUX at all!
This stitch is really fun to create and you can do a lot with it! It makes a dense fabric with almost no holes which means it’s great for garments! I used it in the Paz Skirt pattern for children and adults. I also used this stitch in the Dariana Earring pattern (part of the Sisters’ Earring Collection) as well as the Dariana’s Heart Earring pattern (This blog post shows you how to turn that pattern into a coaster or hot pad!).
The linked stitches are worked in short rows to make a long row (Does that even make sense? It will when you see the tutorial below!). You use your regular crochet hook. I still size up my crochet hook like I do when working Tunisian projects otherwise my stitches tend to come out too tight. Be sure to check your gauge! For the Paz Skirt pattern, I used Bernat Softee Cotton which is a DK weight yarn consisting of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic with a 5.5mm (I) hook.
Linked Stitches
I’ve created this tutorial as a “non-Tunisian” crocheter. My hope is that any crocheter can hop in and understand how to do the crochet linked stitches. I also hope that Tunisian enthusiasts will forgive me for “doing it my own way!”
Abbreviations Used in Tutorial
Ch = Chain
lp(s) = loop(s)
yo = yarn over
Starting Your Crochet Linked Stitches
Step 1: Ch 21.
Step 2: Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull up lp, [insert hook into next ch, pull up lp] 3 times—5 lps on hook.
[Yo, pull through 2 lps]
[Yo, pull through 2 lps] 3 more times. [1 linked st created]
Step 3: Insert hook into 2nd vertical bar, pull up lp, [insert hook into next vertical bar, pull up lp] 2 times, Insert hook into next ch (indicated by arrow in the photo above)..
Pull up lp—5 lps on hook.
[Yo, pull through 2 lps] 4 times. [1 linked st created]
Step 4: Repeat Step 3 number of times indicated.
Row 2 of the Crochet Linked Stitches
Step 1: Ch 4, turn.
Step 2: Insert hook into second ch from hook, pull up lp, [insert hook into next ch, pull up lp] 2 times, insert hook into next st (indicated by arrow in photo above).
Pull up lp—5 lps on hook.
[Yo, pull through 2 lps] 4 times. [1 linked st created]
Step 3: Insert hook into second vertical bar, pull up lp, [insert hook into next vertical bar, pull up lp] 2 times, insert hook into next st, pull up lp—5 lps on hook, [yo, pull through 2 lps] 4 times. [1 linked st created]
Step 4: Repeat Step 3 15 times. [Row 2 completed]
Decreasing the Crochet Linked Stitches
To decrease the linked stitches, you’ll be inserting the hook into two vertical bars at one time and pulling one loop through them. This pulls the two stitches together into one, creating your decrease.
Insert hook into second vertical bar, pull up lp, insert hook into next 2 vertical bars.
Pull up lp.
Insert hook into next vertical bar, pull up lp, insert hook into next st, pull up lp—5 loops on hook, (yo, pull through 2 loops) 4 times.
Next Step: Insert hook into second vertical bar, pull up lp, (insert hook into next vertical bar, pull up lp) 2 times, insert hook into next st, pull up lp—5 loops on hook, (yo, pull through 2 lps) 4 times. [1 4-bar linked st created]
Next Step:: Repeat Previous Step Indicated number of times.
Paz Skirt for Women and Children
If these linked stitches look interesting to you, be sure to check out the Paz Skirt patterns. The children’s skirt is available now in Ravelry and Etsy.
The women’s skirt is currently available to view for free on the Two Brothers Blankets Blog. The pdf will be available for purchase on September 20.
So secretly you do like Tunisian!