Tunisian Crochet Mosaic
Honestly, this technique is easier than it looks. There are three main skills you need to make Tunisian Crochet Mosaic that looks as good as this:
Tunisian Simple Stitch (tss)
How to work in stripes - changing colours at the end of each return pass (on the right for right-handers and on the left for left-handers
Tunisian Extended Stitch (tes). This stitch is also known as eTss - extended Tunisian simple stitch.
Tunisian Crochet Mosaic Demonstration
Watch a right handed demonstration of the mosaic charts provided below.
Right handed - read chart from right to left.
Left handed - read chart from left to right.
The Jagged Little Mosaic Shawl is a size adjustable shawl that can be made in any fibre and could be adapted easily with different yarn weights. It’s a triangle shawl that has an unconventional construction - starting with a kite shape. This is probably my favourite shawl shape; it wears really well bib-style with the points of the triangle hanging at the front.
Supplies
Kitchen scales
1 stitch marker
5.5mm hook with detachable cable
Yarn needle
Yarn
Two prototypes were made for this pattern with different quantities of yarn.
Sample 1:
Life in the Long Grass “Moon”, fingering weight (Australian 4 ply), 100g/365m/400yds, 20% silk, 80% superwash merino. 1 skein each of Ceramic and Spharia. Shawl weighs 226g.
Sample 2:
Dyeing Dream neon mini set, fingering weight (Australian 4 ply), 20g/80m/87yds 75% Australian superwash merino, 25% nylon. 6 x 20g minis.
Bendigo Woollen Mills luxury, fingering weight (Australian 4 ply), 200g/720m/787yds, 100% superwash wool. 20g used, 304 black. Shawl weighs 140g.
Measurements
The pattern is size adjustable depending on the yarn being used and how much is available. You could make this shawl in another yarn weight using less or more yarn. This will affect the finished size.
Sample 1: 160cm long x 53cm wide
Sample 2: 145cm long x 47cm wide
Mosaic Patterns by Abbeymade
The Tesserae Jumper is a top down jumper worked in the round in Tunisian Crochet. A geometric mosaic pattern is worked around the yoke, the base of the torso and the base of the sleeves. All the cuffs on the jumper are made in standard crochet. The fit of the jumper is customisable with steps in the pattern included for how to do this.
Sizes
14 sizes available - women’s XS to 5XL and men’s S-2XL. See the attached chart image for the planned measurements of this jumper (blocked measurements). Positive ease is planned between 10cm/4” - 15cm/6”.
Yarn
Fingering weight yarn in at least 2 colours. Aim for yarn with a meterage of 400m per 100g. You will need a main colour and at least one contrast colour. If using variegated yarn, keep it subtle as a busy yarn will hide the mosaic pattern. Semi solids and tonals are highly recommended.
See the attached chart image for meterage required per size. Adding to the planned length will require more yarn.
Hooks
A cabled tunisian hook for working in the round on all tunisian portions - I used a 5.5mm hook. Testers ranged between 4.5mm and 6mm hooks. It is very important to make a gauge swatch, block, dry and measure accurately before choosing your hook for the project. Pointy hooks will be easier to use than blunt hooks.
A regular crochet hook 3 sizes (1.5mm) smaller than hook used for the Tunisian portion.
Skills required
Crochet ribbing is back loop single crochet (US blsc).
Tunisian Crochet stitches used: Tunisian simple stitch (tss), Tunisian extended stitch (tes), increases and decreases. None of these stitches are “hard” to do but the mosaic will require the maker’s full attention. It is easy to accidentally skip an increase or a tes which will put mistakes in the mosaic pattern.
Working in the round with a cabled hook - links provided to several techniques.
Slip stitch cast on armpit bridge.
Videos are provided with the pattern for just about all the techniques required.
How the pattern is structured
The mosaic is charted - a chart and the written translation of every row is provided.
Schematic, videos, written instructions.
Tables provided to break up the instructions of some of the ‘trickier’ steps.
Mosaic crochet is becoming increasingly popular, popping up in many different applications including clothing. Mosaic is not limited to standard crochet: use this blanket pattern to learn the principles of Tunisian crochet two colour mosaic.
Five different Tunisian mosaic patterns are provided with a tutorial to learn all the skills necessary to make any Tunisian crochet mosaic piece.
Yarn
• Fiddlesticks Superb Tweed (100% acrylic, 100g, 200m/218y, Australian 10 ply), 75113 silver, 4 balls.
• Fiddlesticks Superb 8 (100% acrylic, 100g, 250m/273y, Australian 8 ply), 70015 peacock green, 4 balls.
Note that the sample has used two different weight yarns (very similar) without adversely affecting the drape of the blanket. More of the silver 10 ply yarn was used than the green because it’s slightly thicker. If using the same weight yarn, the same amount of each yarn will be used for the squares.
Hooks
• 6mm single ended Tunisian crochet hook at least 20cm long for the squares. A “pointy” tipped hook will be best. I recommend @catch_hooks on Instagram.
• 5.5mm standard crochet hook for the border
Sizes
Adapt the blanket size by making fewer or more squares.
The blanket can be made in any yarn weight with an appropriately sized hook. Eg, try 10 ply yarn with an 8mm hook or 12 ply yarn with a 10mm hook for squares larger than the sample. Adjust yarn amounts accordingly.
Sample blanket measures 100cm wide x 115cm high.
Grab the Space Invaders Beanie and Cowl as a set to save on purchasing them separately. You get the same two great Tunisian mosaic patterns with a small discount.
Space Invaders beanie is a quick, intermediate Tunisian mosaic pattern with a fun motif reminiscent of the Space Invaders arcade game.
Supplies
5.5mm interchangeable Tunisian crochet hook with a cable at least 30cm/12” long.
3.5mm crochet hook for Stretchy Ribbing
Darning needle
Yarn & Quantity
Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles fingering /Australian 4 ply, 100% merino single plied, 100g/366m in colours ‘Pinky Swear’ and ‘Graphite’.
Choose two high contrast colours to make the mosaic really ‘pop’.
Finished beanie weighs 82g (41g per colour used).
Sizes & Measurements
Ribbing circumference (unstretched): 40cm / 15.75”
Beanie circumference (mosaic): 53cm / 20.75”
Beanie height: 27cm / 10.5”
Adjust circumference by adding or subtracting in sets of 4 rows in the Stretchy Ribbing and sets of 4 sts in the mosaic
Space Invaders Cowl
Supplies
5.5mm interchangeable Tunisian crochet hook with a cable at least 30cm/12” long.
Darning needle.
Yarn & Quantity
Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles fingering /Australian 4 ply, 100% merino single plied, 100g/366m in colours ‘Pinky Swear’ and ‘Graphite’.
Choose two high contrast colours to make the mosaic really ‘pop’.
Finished cowl weighs 46g (23g per colour used).
Size & Measurements
Cowl height: 13cm / 5”
Cowl circumference: 55cm / 22in
Adjust circumference by adding or subtracting in groups of 4 sts plus 1. Adjust height by working additional chart repeats.