This is the base stitch and is used to begin just about every Tunisian stitch. The stitch consist of putting loops on your hook, then removing them from your hook. The work is never turned. You will need an Afghan or Tunisian hook. They use to come in different lengths but I believe now there is just one standard length. You can purchase a special type of afghan hook with an extension to hold more stitches for an afghan or whatever project you may have dreamed up.
To begin, chain desired length, I used 12. Insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yarn over pull through and leave the loop on the hook (you should now have 2 loops on your hook), insert hook into next chain, yarn over pull through, leaving loop on the hook, continue to the end of your chain. Do not turn, you should now have 12 loops on your afghan hook
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Row 1: Remove Loops: Yarn over, pull loop thru first loop on hook,* yarn over pull through next 2 loops on hook, repeat from * until one loop remains on the hook. You will always be left with one loop on the hook
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Row 2: Looking at your first row you will see the vertical loops. * Insert your hook from right to left under the vertical loop, yarn over pull through leaving loop on hook (you should now have 2 loops on your hook) repeat from * to the end of your row. Please count your loops, there should be 12 on your h
![](http://www.crochetqueen.co/junk/instrct/a4.jpg)
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Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern, always end with row 2. To “bind” off, *insert your hook from right to left under the vertical loop, yarn over pull through leaving loop on hook, yarn over pull through both loops on hook, repeat from * to end of row. That gives you a nice edge but most of the afghan stitches curl. The only way I know to avoid this is to do 2 rows of single crochet all the way around your project. If that does not uncurl the work you may want to try doing 1 row of single crochet all the way around followed by 1 row of the crab stitch.
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