purlJam

# The Four-Panel Tunisian Beanie
### A Beginner's Introduction to Tunisian Crochet

**Skill Level:** Beginner (first Tunisian project friendly)
**Finished Size:** Adult, approx. 20" (51 cm) circumference, unstretched × 8" (20.5 cm) tall
**Construction:** Four flat rectangular panels seamed together, gathered at the crown

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC #4), approx. 200–230 yards (185–210 m)
  - Sample shown in a smooth, light-colored yarn so stitches are easy to see
- **Hook:** US J/10 (6.0 mm) **Tunisian/Afghan hook** — either a long straight hook (10"/25 cm minimum) or an interchangeable cable hook
  - *Note: A standard crochet hook will NOT work — you need a hook with a uniform shaft to hold the loops.*
- **Tapestry needle** (large eye, blunt tip)
- **Scissors**
- **Stitch markers** (4) — optional but helpful
- **Measuring tape**

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## GAUGE

**14 sts × 13 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Tunisian Simple Stitch, lightly blocked**

*Gauge check is essential. Work a swatch of about 20 sts × 18 rows, block lightly, then measure.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

- **TSS** – Tunisian Simple Stitch
- **ch** – chain
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **fwd** – forward pass
- **ret** – return pass
- **lp(s)** – loop(s)
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side

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## TUNISIAN SIMPLE STITCH (TSS) — STEP BY STEP

Tunisian crochet is worked **without turning**. The **right side (RS) always faces you**. Every "row" has two parts: a **Forward Pass** (pick up loops onto the hook) and a **Return Pass** (work them back off).

### Foundation Row
1. **Chain** the required number of stitches.
2. **Forward Pass:** Insert hook into the **back bump** of the 2nd ch from hook, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop — **leave it on the hook**. Repeat in each ch across. You should have the same number of loops on the hook as you had chains.
3. **Return Pass:** Yo, pull through 1 loop on hook (this makes the edge chain). *Yo, pull through 2 loops* — repeat across until 1 loop remains on the hook. **Do not turn.**

### Tunisian Simple Stitch Row (repeats for the body)
1. **Forward Pass:** Skip the first vertical bar (it's directly below your hook). *Insert hook from right to left, front to back, under the next vertical bar, yo, pull up a loop — leave on hook.* Repeat across to the last stitch.
   - **Last stitch:** Insert hook under BOTH strands of the final vertical bar (this firms up the edge), yo, pull up a loop.
2. **Return Pass:** Yo, pull through 1 loop. *Yo, pull through 2 loops* — repeat until 1 loop remains. **Do not turn.**

### Bind-Off Row (when finished)
**Sl st bind-off:** Skip first vertical bar. *Insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull through the bar AND the loop on hook (1 sl st made).* Repeat across. This helps reduce curling.

> **Tip for beginners:** Keep your tension loose on the return pass — that's where Tunisian work tends to tighten up. If the fabric is bowing into a "U" shape (curling), it's normal — blocking will fix it.

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## PANEL (Make 4)

Each panel is a rectangle measuring approx. **5" × 8"** (12.5 × 20.5 cm).

**Ch 19.**

**Foundation Row:**
- Fwd: Pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across — **18 lps on hook.**
- Ret: Work standard return pass — **1 lp remains on hook, 18 sts total.**

**Rows 1–25:** Work TSS as described above across all 18 sts. (18 sts each row)

*Math check: 26 total rows (foundation + 25) ÷ 13 rows per 4" × 4 = 8" ✓*

**Bind-Off Row:** Work sl st bind-off across all 18 sts. Fasten off, leaving a **long tail (about 18"/45 cm)** for seaming.

**Repeat to make 4 panels total.**

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## ASSEMBLY

### Step 1: Identify Edges
Each panel has:
- A **bottom edge** (the foundation chain — this becomes the hat brim)
- A **top edge** (the sl st bind-off — this becomes the crown)
- Two **side edges**

Lay all 4 panels RS up, bottom edges aligned.

### Step 2: Seam the Side Edges
Using the tapestry needle and the long tail from each panel, **whip stitch** or **mattress stitch** panel sides together to form a tube. Match row-for-row carefully.

- Seam Panel 1 ↔ Panel 2
- Seam Panel 2 ↔ Panel 3
- Seam Panel 3 ↔ Panel 4
- Seam Panel 4 ↔ Panel 1 (closing the tube)

*Math check: 4 panels × 5" = 20" circumference ✓*

### Step 3: Gather the Crown
1. Cut a 24" (60 cm) length of yarn and thread the tapestry needle.
2. Run a **running stitch** through the top edge of the tube, about ¼" (0.5 cm) below the edge, all the way around.
3. Pull tightly to **cinch the crown closed**. Knot securely on the inside.
4. Weave the tail through the gathered hole once more to close any gap, then weave in.

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## FINISHING

1. **Weave in all ends** on the wrong side.
2. **Block the hat:** Dampen with cool water, gently squeeze out excess (do not wring), and place over a balloon, bowl, or hat form roughly the size of the wearer's head. Smooth flat. Let air-dry completely. Blocking is what gives TSS its lovely even drape and eliminates curl.
3. **Optional:** Add a pom-pom to the crown for extra flair.

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## SIZING NOTES & MODIFICATIONS

| Adjustment | How To |
|---|---|
| **Smaller hat** (teen ~19") | Ch 17 per panel (16 sts) |
| **Larger hat** (~22") | Ch 21 per panel (20 sts) |
| **Taller hat / slouchy** | Add 6–10 rows to each panel |
| **Shorter hat** | Work 20 rows instead of 25 |

**Stitch multiple:** Each panel can be any width you like, as long as all 4 panels match. Total stitches around = panel width × 4.

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## TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

- **My fabric curls a lot.** This is normal. Block firmly. The sl st bind-off row also helps.
- **My edges are uneven.** Make sure you're picking up BOTH strands of the last vertical bar at the end of each forward pass.
- **My fabric leans diagonally.** Your return pass tension is too tight. Loosen up — the return pass should match the forward pass in tension.
- **I can't tell where my row ends.** Place a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of Row 1 to identify your edge stitches.

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Enjoy your first Tunisian project — and welcome to a beautiful new crochet technique! 🧶