Sunday, April 8, 2012

Tunisian Stitch Egg Cozy


My grandmother, Patt, crocheted projects using a lesser-known stitch called Tunisian crochet or Afghan crochet stitch. It is also known as “the knit stitch” as it works like knitting a row: pick up every stitch in a row, then decrementing the row (see this video).

My grandmother made thick crocheted blankets using two colors. One would feed on the left (used every-other row) for the front and the other would feed from the right for the back.  The picture below was white on the back and variegated on the front (which shows through on the back).




This egg cozy reproduction is made in best likeness to her original Tunisian stitch Egg Cozy.  It took me a stinkin' long time to find the stitch (does it look knit or crocheted???) and the right yarn (you will have to go to the right yarn shop).  Here is a side-by-side view of the chicks.  The paler one on the right is the original.



Grandma's Egg Cozy 
Materials: Pale yellow chunky weight yarn, size M crochet hook or size to produce a chick 3” wide by 3 ½” tall, red felt, needle and thread.  Time: About 15 min to crochet and 15 minutes needlework.
Instructions: Chain 18. Tunisian crochet 8 rows (down and back). On 9th row, slip stitch 5 stitches, pick up next 8 stitches and leave remaining 5 stitches. Tunisian crochet 3 more rows and finish off. Sew raw edges together, leaving bottom open for egg. Cut 1”x1/4” red felt and scallop one edge. Sew onto top of chick's head. Sew on little red felt eyes and a 1/8” orange felt diamond for a beak.
 

Happy Easter!