How to Work Tunisian Crochet in the Round the Simple Way

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Many Tunisian stitches, including Tunisian knit stitch, create a thick, solid, and warm fabric that is perfect for full-coverage garments and winter accessories. Tunisian crochet also has more elasticity than regular crochet stitches, making it the perfect option for accessories that need extra stretch, like stocking caps and beanies.

When crocheting hats, it is always easier and more visually appealing to work in the round, no pesky seam running up the back of the hat. To work Tunisian crochet in the round, you will need to use a special hook and two separate skeins of yarn. A double ended Tunisian crochet hook has hooks of equal sizes at either end. Loops are picked up in each stitch with the forward hook while the return pass is worked as you go with the back hook.

Let's take a closer look at Tunisian crochet in the round:

First create a foundation row just as you would for a regular crochet project, joining the stitches to work in the round. For a hat that is worked from the top down, I will frequently work the increase rows in single crochet and then begin working in Tunisian stitches. For projects worked from the bottom up, a row of foundation stitches works beautifully and maintains the needed elasticity. In this sample I am working from the top down.

Pick up as many loops as the hook can comfortably hold without distorting your project.
With the second ball of yarn, begin working the return pass with the back hook, yarning over and drawing through one loop and then continuing to yarn over and draw through two loops in a spiral. The return pass is easier to work if you turn your project so that the wrong side is facing you. I am using a lighter colored yarn so that you can better see the return pass.
When you have worked the loops off of the hook, use the front hook to continue picking up loops.
Continue working in a spiral, making sure to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.