Taking the Curl Out of Tunisian

Taking the Curl out of Tunisian

It is very common for Tunisian work to curl.  So how do we combat this?

Knowing why it curls is a great start.  Unlike normal crochet which sits on top of the previous rows, Tunisian often works through the front of a stitch creating a pull on the front, then adds  bulk to the back with the yarn overs on the return pass.  These combined together lead to Tunisian work curling upwards.

There are some techniques you can employ to reduce or eliminate the curl altogether.

1. The Chain – Most current Tunisian patterns already refer to working the first row by going through the back bump of the foundation chain. However if it doesn’t state this, using this technique will help.  It doesn’t however eliminate it!  It also has the advantage of giving a neater edge. 

• Beginning row(s) – Begin the first one or two rows with different stitches that counteract the effects of the front pull and the back bulk, then change to the desired pattern. Here are three stitches that can help:

  Tunisian Purl stitches – this puts the bulk at the front of the work and stops the curl. This has the advantage of creating a neat border, however it may not suit all patterns.

  Extended Tunisian Simple Stitch – As a longer stitch, it reduces the pull on the front of the work and will reduce the curl.  In my experience it hasn’t eliminated it altogether though.

  An alternative is to do a row of regular double crochet into the foundation chains then begin the Tunisian pattern. 

• Hook size – Using a larger hook than you would normally use or is recommended for the yarn you are using. This relieves the tension on the front of the work.  Generally 1 or 2 sizes larger is recommended.

  However we all know everyone crochets differently and we all have different tensions, so it is best to experiment with different size hooks.  The larger the hook the longer the looser your stitches will be.  And this may not create the look you want.

  Another option is to work the first one or two rows with the larger hook then go back to the a different hook size to get the look of the fabric that is desired. 

• Border – Adding a double crochet border around the edges will also alleviate the curl by stretching the ends back – achieving an effect similar to doing the first row in double crochet. It also has the advantage of all sides being the same. 

• Blocking – If all else fails, blocking your finished work to ‘mould’ it will remove the curl. But remember to read the yarn label and follow the instructions for the fibre you are using – see our tip on blocking here.