Learn to use the double-ended hook to work Tunisian crochet in the round with this beautiful Checkerboard Blocks Infinity Scarf in two contrasting colors of Stylecraft Special DK yarn.
Using two skeins of yarn, this scarf is easily stitched with the look of alternating blocks made in two different stitch patterns, providing both elegant style and toasty warmth.
The Mardi Gras Cowl was designed specifically to teach the Tunisian In The Round (TITR) technique used in this Infinity Cowl. See full pattern and video representation.
Checkerboard Blocks Infinity Scarf
designed by Kim Guzman
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Technique: Double-Ended Tunisian Crochet
Finished Size
38″ (circumference), 7″ high
Materials
- Stylecraft Special Double Knit yarn, 100% acrylic, 322 yds per 100g: 1 skein each of Mocha (tan) and Aster (blue) (about 200 yds of each color required)
- Size 5.5mm Double Ended Tunisian Hook
- Yarn needle (for seaming and weaving ends)
- Stitch Marker (or small piece of scrap yarn)
Gauge
In stitch pattern, 17 stitches for 17 rounds measures 4″ square
Skill Level
Intermediate
Special Stitches
Foundation Row: This project starts with a typical foundation row. Chain the indicated number, skip first chain, *insert hook in next chain, yarn over, pull loop through, leave loop on hook, repeat from * to end.
Closing: All rounds in this project will be completed with the same closing as follows: [yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook] to close each stitch. Since you are simply working one long round, you will only chain 1 at the first closing stitch and the remainder will always be “yarn over, pull through 2 loops”.
Tunisian Reverse Stitch (trs): With hook in back of work, insert hook in a side to side motion (right to left for right-handers or left to right for left-handers) under back vertical bar, yarn over, pull loop through. The hook stays in the back of the work throughout the stitch.
Tunisian Simple Stitch (tss): Insert hook in a side to side motion (right to left for right-handers or left to right for left-handers) under front vertical bar, yarn over, pull loop through.
Tunisian Backward Simple Stitch (tbss): To do this stitch, you need to insert your hook going from the opposite direction of the regular simple stitch.
At first I considered this only to be a twisted simple stitch, but after thinking about it, it’s more than that. It is literally inserting your hook in the opposite direction. It takes some practice. In the video, I’ve grabbed the front vertical bar with the hook tip and turned the hook upward until it bumped over the chain, straight up in the air, yarn over and pull the loop through.
The combination of tss/tbss used in this pattern is called Tunisian Simple Stitch Rib.
Binding Off (final row): For this project, there is a Binding Off “In Pattern”. This means that you will follow the established pattern to indicate which stitch to pull up then slip stitch to bind off each individual stitch.
Notes
This is a subset of Tunisian Crochet, called Double-Ended Tunisian Crochet. It can also be called cro-hook or cro-knit. It is made with a tool that has a crochet hook of the same size on each end.
For this project, a cabled hook is unnecessary. A straight double-ended hook in any length can be used.
This infinity scarf is worked in a tube, in a continuous spiralling circle. Rounds are not joined.
When turning back and forth to change to the other color of yarn, watch which direction you are turning the hook so your yarn doesn’t become tangled.
Normally when working in Tunisian crochet, you will stitch the last stitch under two bars to keep an even edge. Since you are making one continuous round, there isn’t a “last stitch” and you don’t need to worry about making the last stitch in any different manner.
Bedspread Technique
While working Tunisian In The Round, you will only pull up the number of loops that will be manageable on your hook. In this instance, pull up as many loops as are comfortable for you (you DO NOT complete the row).
Turn your hook over and close all the loops except for the last four or five. You will always leave those few stitches when turning in order to maintain tension. Turn your hook back over and continue pulling up loops as before.
Repeat this process as necessary to complete the round.
You might also like: 12 FREE Crochet Scarfs to Keep You Warm
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Foundation Row (counts as round 1):
Step A: With tan, ch 160 (or any multiple of 16), sk first ch, *insert hook in back horizontal bar of next ch, yarn over and pull lp through, rep from * across. Work in sections as needed pursuant to “in-the-round technique” (see below).
In-the-Round Technique: Pull up loops only to fit onto the hook easily. You do not need to pull up all loops of this row. As your hook becomes filled, turn it over to begin the closing (Step B). Repeat this process as many times as it takes to make it all the way across the row or round.
Step B: Turn work so the back is facing you, push loops to the other hook, with blue, pull a loop through one loop on hook (one stitch closed), [yarn over and pull through 2 lps] until 4 or 5 stitches remain.
Repeat this In-the-Round Technique and closing (always closing by pulling through 2 loops and always closing only up to the last 4 or 5 stitches) until only 4 or 5 loops remain for Foundation Row.
Round 2: Place a stitch marker to mark your rounds. Move marker up as work progresses.
Step A: (4 or 5 stitches still on your hook) Form a circle by bringing the first stitch close to the last stitch, with tan, work [8 trs, (1 tss, 1 tbss) 4 times] around, maintaining the In-the-Round Technique. You will always pull up your loops with tan. (Blue is only used to close the loops in Step B throughout.)
Step B: After turning, with blue, close the stitches as follows: [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] throughout.
Rounds 3-10: Continue working around and around in a spiral as for Round 2. This is a continuous spiral and you will continue to work in sections (Bedspread Technique) throughout.
Round 11:
Step A: [(1 tss, 1 tbss) 4 times, 8 trs] around, maintaining the In-the-Round Technique.
Step B: After turning, with blue, close the stitches as follows: [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] throughout.
Rounds 12-20: Continue working around and around in a spiral as for Round 11. Continue to work around in sections throughout.
Round 21:
Step A: [8 trs, (1 tss, 1 tbss) 4 times] around, maintaining the In-the-Round Technique.
Step B: After turning, with blue, close the stitches as follows: [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] throughout.
Rounds 22-29: Continue working around and around in a spiral as for Round 21. Continue to work around in sections throughout.
Once you have completed the rounds, close all stitches, including the last 4 or 5. One loop of blue will remain on your hook. Fasten off blue.
Binding Off: With right side facing you, with tan, *insert hook under back vertical bar (as you would for trs), yarn over, pull loop through stitch and through loop on hook (slip stitch made), repeat slip stitch bind off, pulling up the loops in the stitch pattern established on the last round, fasten off.
Finishing
With yarn needle, pull the first and last stitches together on the bottom. They will be a little separate from each other because of the spiral. If the top round has this little separation, pull it together as well. Weave in all ends securely.
You might also like: Lunar Crossings Infinity Scarf Free Crochet Pattern.