Tunisian blocks

At our last Guild meeting, we had a workshop about Tunisan crochet (aka Afghan stitch or tricot). I have finally got the hang of it and can now make my pieces with straight edges. Of the four stitches I was shown, I prefer the look of one where loops are made through the front of the previous stitch. So, what to do with the small swatch I began in the workshop (mistakes and wonky edges and all)? Turn it into a patchwork block, what else?

So here is my first square (blocking); the red in the centre is my beginning piece; the bottom edge of the centre square is my original cast on. You can see I had trouble keeping the edges straight (just like any beginner knitter!). Picking up the stitches around the piece was also tricky. I decided to push forward despite the wonkiness (this method of crochet is very slow for me) but now that it's blocked I wish I hadn't! Ah, well, we live and learn, don't we? At least I won't have to live with it - the finished blanket will eventually go to Wrap With Love.

The pattern for the block is taken from a tutorial on Elizabeth Hartman's website, Oh Fransson. If you are into patchwork, especially if you're a beginner like me, there are two great tutorials on the site: one for making a Modern Sampler Quilt, the other for making a Paintbox Quilt. This block is used in both quilts; in fact, it's the basis for the Paintbox Quilt. Thanks, Elizabeth, for making all these patterns and the tutorials available for free.

I always knew that patterns for quilting would work in knitting or crochet! LOL