scrappy tunisian checkerboard throw

#crochet-blankets #tunisian-crochet #status_ongoing

project details

Pattern: Tunisian simple stitch, in join-as-you-go 5" squares

Yarn: Mixed worsted acrylic

Hook: 7mm Tunisian hook

Size: TBD

Started on: 2026/02/16

Finished on:

project log

2026/02/28

I'm taking a short break from my doily study to work on another scrappy project. I've got a dedicated bin for worsted yarn scraps, and I'm turning all of it into a throw blanket! For this, I'm using Tunisian crochet, specifically the Tunisian Simple Stitch.

Tunisian crochet is like a hybrid of knitting and crochet. You use a crochet hook, but—like knitting— you hold a row of open loops and work stitches into them one at a time. In knitting, one needle holds the loops while the other needle works the stitches. In Tunisian crochet, the hook does both jobs but in two steps: the forward pass (pick up all the loops) and the return pass (work stitches into the loops). The resulting fabric is more like knit fabric than crochet fabric in terms of texture and drape. However, because of its construction, it's not nearly as stretchy as knit can be.

That said, if you love the look of knit fabric but struggle with knitting itself, give Tunisian crochet a try! I've created a new category of links in my digital garden for Tunisian crochet if you want to learn more!

2026/03/30

My goal for this blankets is to make 10 columns and 12 rows of squares. With each square measuring 5 inches, my final blanket should be a little larger than 50" x 60" after the border is added. Currently, I'm nearly finished with the 8th column!

My original goal was to make this blanket solely with scrap yarn, but at the halfway point I realized that I'd need to supplement it with new yarn to finish it. I try my best to be mindful about acrylic yarn and avoid buying it new unless it's practical to do so (for sustainability reasons; it's plastic after all). But considering that most of my projects are acrylic blankets to donate (See: crochet for charity), I figure this might be a good opportunity to sample some different yarns so I know what to look out for for future projects. Therefore, this blanket is now one part scrap project and one part yarn sampler. Once it's done, I might add some tags to some of the squares noting which brand of yarn I used for them.