- Tunisian Forward Pass (TFP): Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, keep on hook.
- Tunisian Return Pass (TRP): Yarn over, pull through 2 loops; repeat until only one remains.
- Varying Loop Height: Gradually increase the height of loops with each pick-up for shaping, then decrease as noted.
The Crochet Pattern
Foundation Chain
- Ch 12 in your chosen yarn.
First Side of the Leaf
Loop Pick-up (Forward Pass):
- Starting in the 2nd ch from hook:
- First loop: Insert hook, yo, pull up a loop (keep low).
- Second loop: Into next ch, insert hook, yo, pull up a loop (slightly higher).
- Continue in each chain; pick up a taller loop each time, so:
- 3rd ch – even higher,
- 4th – higher still,
- 5th and 6th – continue to increase height,
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- Seventh loop (7th ch) – tallest for leaf’s tip.
- For eighth loop, decrease height slightly; do not pull this loop as high as the previous.
- Ninth loop (final ch): Insert hook, yo, pull up a short, low loop.
- You should have 9 loops on your hook.
Closing the Side (Return Pass):
- Begin return pass:
- Yo, pull through 2 loops.
- Repeat: (yo, pull through 2) all the way down until one loop remains.
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Second Side of the Leaf
Setup
- Ch 1.
- Turn the work to position for the second side.
Loop Pick-up (Forward Pass):
- First loop: Insert hook into the first available sp (on opposite side), yo, pull up a low, short loop.
- Loop 2–7: Continue inserting hook into each remaining sp, and increase loop height with each pick-up to match the arch of the first side, so that:
- Loop 2: slightly taller,
- Loop 3–6: taller each time,
- Loop 7: the highest point.
- Loop 8: Insert into the next sp and make this loop shorter.
- Loop 9: Last sp, insert and keep the loop low.
- There should be 9 loops once more.
Closing the Side (Return Pass):
- As before, yo, pull through 2 loops at a time across the row, ending with a single loop left on your hook.
Finishing
- Ch 1 to secure.
- Insert hook into the very tip/stem of the leaf (where the tallest loop was worked), yo, pull through with a sl st to bring both sides together neatly at the top.
- Ch 1 to lock in place, cut yarn, and pull through.
- Use yarn needle to weave in ends on the back or closest edge for a seamless look.
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Assembly & Finished Size
- No further assembly is needed as each leaf is a single, integrated piece.
- Finished size: approximately 5–7 cm (2–2.75 inches) tall.
- You may block the leaf slightly to enhance shape and flatten if desired.
Conclusion and Ending Words
The Tunisian crochet leaf is a swift, satisfying motif that yields a beautifully contoured result with just a few minutes of careful work. Its balanced structure comes from gradually adjusting loop heights and mirroring the technique on both sides. By finishing with a slip stitch at the tip, each leaf is guaranteed a crisp point and a stable body that resists distortion during use or laundering. This approach encourages the refinement of tension control and foundational Tunisian crochet skills, making it a valuable exercise even for experienced stitchers. The end result can be sewn onto various crochet or knit articles or worked in multiples for seasonal or botanical-themed projects. Thoughtful details and a stepwise approach make this motif both accessible and visually pleasing, reinforcing the utility and creative flexibility of Tunisian techniques in accessory and decorative crochet.
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