When Is a Tunisian an Afghan?
Bad Moofie … that was a trick question!
Actually, Tunisians aren’t usually ever Afghans, since Tunisia is on the African continent between Algeria and Libya, while Afghanistan is in Central Asia, somewhere between Iran and Pakistan.
I guess a Tunisian could become an Afghan if he wanted to … but that wouldn’t really have a lot to do with this post. What? You think I’m spinning a yarn? If you do, then you’re getting warm ….
… I’m crocheting some yarn … Tunisian Crocheting, to be precise. Tunisian Crochet, otherwise known as Afghan Crochet, isn’t quite the same the thing as either knitting, or regular crochet. I’ve been a knit-wit for most of my life, and picked up regular crochet as a teen. I was almost 40 before I found Tunisian Crochet and taught it to myself … and I’ve barely touched either knitting or regular crochet since.
Tunisian Crochet is a tight, sturdy weave, which lends itself well to Afghans (hence the name!) and other items which call for a dense material, like coats, purses, scarves … etc.
It’s done on a single needle, which has a hook at one end. The hooks come in different lengths and sizes, as do crochet hooks and knitting needles. You can also get needles that have hooks at both ends … which are used for creating double sided patterns, and fancy color changes.
I’ve been designing and creating Tunisian Afghans for years. I’ve made one for each of my kids, and I make one to give each grandbaby before he/she turns 1. I’ve just started on my new granddaughter’s afghan … and hope it will be done before her first birthday, next July.
I started a project in 2004 while I was here at camp. I’d never made one of those afghans for myself, and I really wanted one. I knew that I was about to have some surgery that was going to lay me up for a while, and I felt that it was a good time to begin a project. I designed the afghan, got the yarn, and got the first panel done. About then, a dear friend asked if I would make one for her Mom, so I set my project aside, and worked on hers instead. I started it when I was in the hospital having surgery, and finished it when she was in the hospital having surgery. With that one done, I’ve worked on mine some more, but now I’m going to put it aside again to make one for my new grandbaby.
I’ve included some photos of it below. It’s wrinkled, because it’s been in storage. Once it’s done, I’ll block it, and it will look a lot nicer.
Tunisian Crochet uses an elongated crochet hook, which sizes in the same way as regular crochet hooks. Unlike regular hooks, most Tunisian hooks are quite long - like 12 to 14 inches, however you can get shorter ones. All but the double ended needles which I mentioned above have a cap on the hookless end. See the photo below.
One row of Tunisian Crochet takes two passes, first from right to left as stitches are picked up, and then from left to right, as the newly picked-up stitches are crocheted. See the link below for some excellent instructions, complete with graphics.
I’ll take some shots of my grandbaby’s afghan when I get more of it done, and post about it. If anyone’s interested in information and tips on Tunisian Crochet, just drop me an email!
To see the description of each photo, click on the photos, and navigate with the “Previous” and “Next” options …
Click on the photo for a larger version.
When enlarged, the top right and left of the photo have hidden navigation links that appear when you run your mouse over them.
August 17th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Is there anything that you can’t do? never mind don’t answer that question;) neat though very cool…. i can only crocete blankets but the family seems to like it;)
August 17th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
This is wonderful Moof. You’ve been hiding this creative side quite well. I thought you were all hard logic and good sense ;)
August 17th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
That is so interesting Moof. How neat the patterns come out. Can’t wait to see the baby’s blanket.
August 18th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Wolfbaby, my sweet little friend, there’s lots and lots that I can’t do. Thank you, my dear … I would love to see your crochet work, by the way … :o)
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Vijay … you’re too funny! As a younger person, I was mostly into art, poetry, and all sorts of craftsy stuff … and now I’m just the opposite. Never saw the change hit me, but hit me it did. Of all of the artsy stuff I used to do, designing items for this sort of crochet is all that’s left.
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Angel - the pattern for Sena (my new granddaughter) it taking shape. I have the first panel almost done. I have a vague idea of what I’m trying to do … we’ll see how it turns out. :o)
August 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Hi Moof,
A new side of you here. I’ve done all that stuff in my time. I’ve knitted since I was twelve although don’t do it so much now. I did crochet and have tried the afghan crochet with everything on the one long hook. As you say, it makes good fabric. I do thank heaven that crocheted clothing has gone out of style. I once crocheted a dress for myself,in the seventies.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:03 pm
It looks very nice and interesting.
I know how to crochet, but I haven’t done any for years.
When things slow down for me, I think that I might like to learn how to do that!
later…
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:12 am
Oh Moof! That is sooo pretty!!!
Hey there … I have a new blogger friend! Actually, I have a blog sister ..or blog sister in law?
It’s Don’s sister … Please please go pay her a visit when you get the chance, and send all your lovely readers to her Blog. It’s the Healing Herbals Inner Sage. http://theinnersage.blogspot.com/
On my blog, I have a couple of lovely pictures of the dear, and I talk about her a little. She’s only got one blog post up, but if we all encourage her a little …maybe she’s write a bit more.
She is an RN who does herbals … and her products are INCREDIBLE. (I am selling, she is not lol) Sorry I start talking about her stuff and I go gagggaaaggaggaaa I’m just so A) proud of her, and B)her stuff is to die for.
Please, go say hi, and welcome her to blogging.
August 24th, 2007 at 1:34 am
Moofie, you are too much!! Anyone who can make something out of
pieces of string always amazes me. When I was young, I learned to
make chain stitches, but I never could attach anything to them.
Never learned to knit either. I made a few blocks of fabric
into quilts - didn’t look to cool but kept the kids warm. please
post a picture of Sena’s afghan when it is finished. I would love
to see it, AND some new photos of Sena.
August 24th, 2007 at 4:45 am
Beautiful work Moof. I am so honored to know one so multi-talented.
August 25th, 2007 at 7:53 am
I love the colors! The pattern on that one actually looks quite intricate to me. I can just imagine the amount of time and energy (and love) that must go into making such a beautiful creation. I myself cannot see knitting one of those. I think after a few rows, my hands would cramp up *LOL*
August 27th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
JMB … if you crocheted a dress, then you’re far better than I am. I once knitted my late husband a nice black sweater, but bound off the very last row (turtle neck collar) so tightly that it nearly tore off his eyebrows! ;o)
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TJ! Good to see you! You say you might want to try that when things slow down for you, but you’re about as busy a person as I’ve ever seen! I can see you learning this when you’re an old old lady in a rocking chair! *LOL*
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PK … hey there! Thank you! How are you and Don doing? I need to get over to see you. Hopefully I’ll get to do that once I take my final this week.
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Nora - you’re the sweetest person on two feet! *LOL* All of those nice words coming from a super lady who sent me some of the very best jams I’ve ever eaten in my whole life! You, my friend, are amazing! {{{ hugs!!! }}}
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Lakshmi - my dear heart, you know how to do a lot of things that I can’t even imagine … not the least of which is that lovely Indian cooking! Tying knots in string is much easier than it appears to be … ;o)
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Pattie, my dear friend! Thank you! You’re right about hands cramping up … that happens the first few days I begin to work on a project like that, but passes after a while. I usually don’t even notice when it does finally stop happening. I do enjoy Tunisian Crochet - tremendously. It’s probably the only type of “art” that I still take the time to do.