In this tutorial, we’ll see how to crochet the Tunisian Top Loop Stitch (Ttls).
The Ttls is very similar to the Tunisian simple stitch but the stitches go into the chain top loop between the stitches! And we’ll see where to find them, so don’t worry.
Here are a few nice facts about the Ttls are:
- It does not curl! Or curl very little if you’re using a small hook…
- It’s very easy to crochet also for beginners.
- Even though it’s a solid stitch…
- …It’s not bulky at all but rather drapey.
One last thing, do not confuse the Ttls with the Tunisian Top Bar or Back Bump Stitch!
ABBREVIATION AND CHART SYMBOL
The abbreviation of the Tunisian top loop stitch is Ttls.
Sometimes, you’ll find it as Ttchls, which stands for Tunisian top chain loop stitch, but I guess that Ttls is already long enough for an abbreviation.
Below, you can see its official chart symbol.
Foundation Row & Return Pass
In this tutorial, I’ll assume that you’re not completely new to Tunisian crochet and that you already know how to crochet a foundation row and a Standard Tunisian Return pass.
In case you do not, I suggest you go back to this tutorial HERE!
Ok, so let’s dive into the Tunisian Top Loop stitch tutorial!
Tunisian CROCHET Top Loop Stitch – Video TUTORIAL
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Where are the Tunisian Chain Top Loops?
The Tunisian crochet top loop stitch (Ttls) is worked into the chains or top loops between the sts!
These top loops are simply the chains that you create when you make the return pass (see pink arrows in the picture below).
A little warning / troubleshooting
Since the top loops are in between the stitches, the Ttls is similar in a way to the Tunisian full stitch (Tfs).
The similarity is that at each row, the new set of stitches is shifted to the right or to the left of the stitches of the previous row.
If you don’t pay attention to the stitch count, you can easily start adding stitches to your work.
So within a few rows, you’ll see that your work is growing on the sides, or the edges are not straight.
To fix these issues and help you keep track of your stitches, I have a little trick for you further down in the tutorial!
MATERIALS
- 9-mm (M/13 USA, 00 UK) Tunisian Crochet Hook
- Aran (4, Medium) Yarn. I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran
- Tapestry Needle
CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)
Ch – Chain
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sp – Space
St – Stitch
TFR – Tunisian Foundation Row
Yo – Yarn over
HOW TO Tunisian CROCHET the Top Loop Stitch – STEP-BY-STEP Photo TUTORIAL
Get your foundation row ready. I made one with 15 sts.
ROW 1
Insert your hook in the first top loop between the first and the second sts of the foundation row (indicated by the pink arrow in the picture below). Yo, and draw up a loop.
Draw up a loop in each remaining top loop until you have 1 top loop and the last st left.
Sk the last top loop (the one between the semi-last st and the last st) and work the last st by inserting your hook under both loops on the side of the TFR.
Make a standard Tunisian return.
Row 2
Sk the first top loop and insert your hook into the next one. This is the top loop between the second and the third sts (indicated by the pink arrow in the first panel of the picture below).
Yo, and draw up a loop.
Pick up a loop in each remaining top loop, including the last one (between the semi-last and last st on the previous row).
Work the last st under both vertical bars and make a standard Tunisian return.
GROW YOUR WORK
Keep alternating Rows 1 and 2 (Steps 1-7) to grow your Tunisian crochet top loop stitch swatch.
Little Trick – How to keep track of row repeats
With a small swatch of 15 sts is quite easy to remember what row repeat you’re at.
However, if you’re working on a larger project, such as a blanket or kitchen towel, then you might easily get lost!
Luckily, with the Ttls is very easy to understand what row repeat you’re at by simply looking at the second sts of the last few rows you made.
You’ll notice that all the sts for a sort of ladder in/out, in/out. This ladder is particularly easy to see for the second st of your work (see picture below for a clear example).
- When you see that the second st of your last row is closer to the first st compared to the row before, then, you know that your next row has to be a repeat of row 2.
- On the other hand, if that second stitch is further away from the first st compared to the row before, then you know that you need to work a repeat of row 1 next.
HOW TO BIND OFF the TUNISIAN CROCHET Top Loop STITCH
As for the other Tunisian crochet stitches, the bind-off is done by slip stitching each stitch off your hook.
Normally, for a neater finish, it’s best to bind off “in pattern“.
However, for the Ttls, it’s always best to bind off as for row 1. So, always start slip stitching starting from the first top loop!
YOU Just leanred how to Tunisian CROCHET The Top Loop Stitch!
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