How does the Tunisian crochet forward pass and return pass system work, and how does it differ from standard crochet?

Tunisian crochet's fundamental departure from standard crochet is the two-pass row structure: the forward pass (right to left) picks up loops and accumulates them all on the hook without removing any, and the return pass (left to right) chains off each loop in sequence, releasing them one by one. In standard crochet, each stitch is begun and completed before moving to the next — the hook enters, picks up, and exits each stitch individually. In Tunisian crochet, the forward pass builds a full row's worth of loops on the hook simultaneously (which is why Tunisian hooks are 30 to 40 centimetres long, or are supplemented by a cable extension for wide projects). The result is a fabric that grows horizontally as two passes rather than stitch by stitch. The Tunisian simple stitch (TSS) forward pass: insert the hook through the vertical bar of the loop from the previous forward pass (the bar that runs between the two fabric faces on the edge of each stitch), yarn over, pull up a loop, and leave it on the hook. Continue across the row, accumulating each new loop alongside the existing loops. At the row end, all loops are on the hook — one for each stitch plus the original foundation loop. The return pass: yarn over, pull through one loop (this is the chain that starts the next forward pass), then yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through two loops again, continuing across until one loop remains. This one remaining loop is the first stitch of the next forward pass. The return pass creates the characteristic return ridge on the back of Tunisian work — a row of chains running horizontally across the back face of the fabric. The return ridge is the identifying structural feature that distinguishes Tunisian crochet from woven fabric, knitting, or standard crochet when examining finished work. For Patreon creators, explaining this two-pass structure clearly — with video showing the accumulated loops on the hook mid-forward-pass and then the chain-off sequence of the return pass — is the required first module for any Tunisian crochet curriculum.

What are the differences between TSS, TFS, waffle stitch, and entrelac in Tunisian crochet?

Tunisian simple stitch (TSS) inserts the hook into the vertical bar of the previous forward pass — the vertical strand that runs from bottom to top of each stitch column. TSS is the most common Tunisian stitch and produces the characteristic grid of vertical bars and horizontal return ridges that defines classic Tunisian fabric. The fabric has a woven-like quality, lies naturally flat, and can be worked at a tighter gauge than standard crochet without the fabric curling (TSS has a slight tendency to curl toward the right side if worked loosely — adjusting hook size up by half a size from the standard crochet gauge usually prevents this). Tunisian full stitch (TFS) inserts the hook into the horizontal strand that passes between vertical bars on the fabric face — the strand that runs across rather than up. TFS produces a denser fabric with less visible bar definition, because the horizontal insertion closes the space between bars. Worked alternately with TSS, TFS rows create a waffle texture (the waffle stitch) — alternating rows with different insertion points produce a grid of raised and recessed squares that is one of the most popular Tunisian pattern structures. Smocked Tunisian surface texture is a post-work technique applied to TSS fabric: groups of vertical bars (typically 3 to 5 consecutive bars) are gathered by working a joining stitch around their base, pulling the bar group together and creating a raised gathering at regular intervals across the fabric surface. The effect mimics pleated fabric smocking without pleating the base fabric, and is applied as a decorative layer after the base fabric is complete. Tunisian entrelac is the most structurally ambitious Tunisian technique: diagonal blocks worked on the bias, where each block's loops are picked up from the edge of the adjacent block and the block is worked to completion before beginning the next. The resulting fabric is composed of angled blocks rather than horizontal rows, producing a strong diagonal texture and a visually complex surface. Entrelac construction requires precise block loop pickup (counting the edge loops of the adjacent block rather than working into the fabric body) and attention to the block count sequence, making it a reliable advanced-tier Patreon module.

How should Tunisian crochet creators structure Patreon tiers and what is the Apple Tax impact?

Tunisian crochet Patreon tiers should reflect the technique's learning progression from the two-pass foundation through stitch variant exploration to advanced construction and colorwork. Tier 1 — Simple ($12–15/month): monthly PDF pattern for a TSS project (cowl, headband, dishcloth, or baby blanket panel) with full stitch count, gauge specifications, and hook size recommendations. The pattern should specify hook type (standard long Tunisian hook vs interchangeable cable for wide projects) because this is frequently overlooked by beginners working from standard crochet patterns that don't address Tunisian tool requirements. Tier 2 — Return ($25–32/month): monthly pattern plus video tutorial covering the stitch technique needed for the month's design — showing the forward pass loop accumulation (including the hook position in the vertical bar and the tension needed to keep all loops even on the long hook) and the return pass chain-off rhythm. Tunisian video instruction benefits from a fixed camera position showing the full hook length across a medium-width project (30 to 40 stitches), so that both the loop accumulation and the chain-off sequence can be seen in a single shot without camera repositioning. Tier 3 — Entrelac ($50–65/month): monthly pattern plus video plus a construction module covering one advanced technique — Tunisian entrelac with block pickup tutorial, two-color Tunisian with flat braid join, smocking pattern application, or Tunisian knit stitch (TKS, worked into the back loop only, producing a knit-stitch-like surface texture). Apple Tax impact at $28/month with 72% iOS reach (Tunisian crochet audiences are distributed across YouTube and Instagram, both iOS-heavy) and 45 subscribers: $28 × 0.72 × 0.30 = $6.05 per subscriber/month × 45 = $272.16/month ($3,265/year) permanently lost to Apple IAP after November 2026. Web checkout via KeepTier captures this loss on new subscriptions routed through a YouTube bio link or Instagram link-in-bio.

Patreon for Tunisian crochet creators in 2026

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Tunisian crochet (also called Afghan crochet or tricot crochet) is worked in two passes per row: a forward pass accumulates all loops on a long hook without removing any, and a return pass chains them off in sequence. This two-pass structure produces a fabric with a woven-like surface texture — the characteristic vertical bar grid of Tunisian simple stitch — that falls between knitting and crochet in both appearance and construction. The technique has a large and growing online community, significant YouTube presence, and a substantial audience for pattern subscriptions and technique tutorials on Patreon.

Forward pass and return pass: the structural core

The forward pass (right to left) inserts the hook into each stitch of the previous row, picks up a loop, and leaves it on the hook — accumulating all loops simultaneously. The return pass (left to right) chains off through each loop in sequence: yarn over, pull through two loops, repeat. Tunisian simple stitch (TSS) picks up the vertical bar of each previous stitch; Tunisian full stitch (TFS) picks up the horizontal strand between vertical bars. The return ridge produced by the return pass runs across the back face and is the identifying structural feature of Tunisian construction.

Stitch variants: waffle, smocked, entrelac

Waffle stitch alternates TSS and TFS rows producing a textured grid. Smocked Tunisian gathers vertical bar groups post-work to create a gathered surface without pleating. Tunisian entrelac constructs diagonal blocks by picking up loops from adjacent block edges — the most complex Tunisian construction and a natural advanced-tier Patreon module. Tunisian knit stitch (TKS) inserts into the back loop only, producing a knit-like surface.

Tools: long hooks and cable extensions

Standard Tunisian hooks are 30–40cm long to hold a full row of loops for medium-width projects. For wide blankets and garments, a Tunisian interchangeable hook with a cable extension (similar to a circular knitting needle cable) is necessary. This tool distinction — not addressed in standard crochet patterns — is a frequent beginner confusion point and warrants explicit mention in any Patreon pattern or tutorial.

Patreon tiers and Apple Tax

Tunisian crochet audiences span YouTube and Instagram with 70–80% iOS reach. At $28/month with 72% iOS and 45 subscribers: $272.16/month ($3,265/year) lost to Apple IAP after November 2026. Three-tier structure: Simple ($12–15/month) — monthly TSS pattern with hook type specification; Return ($25–32/month) — pattern plus video showing forward/return pass loop accumulation and chain-off; Entrelac ($50–65/month) — pattern plus video plus advanced construction module. Web checkout via KeepTier routes new subscriptions outside Apple IAP.

See the full analysis at keeptier.com/blog.