Tunisian crochet entrelac can look complex at first glance, but once you understand how the structure works, it becomes a beautifully rhythmic and surprisingly approachable technique.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to make the middle squares (called joining squares), step by step. Once we have completed a first square, we start the second row with an initial square and then end it with a final square. After this, all rows have an initial square, a number of joining squares and a final square. The joining square is similar to the other squares, but there are some differences, so I wanted it to have its own tutorial.
Entrelac is built in stages, with each row made up of different types of squares that work together to create that woven, basket-like effect. The joining square is a little different from the others — it joins to 2 sides of other squares as it is created. Once you’ve mastered the first square, initial square, final square and this joining square, you’ll be perfectly placed to complete any Tunisian entrelac project.
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This joining square tutorial is the last type of square you’ll need to learn for my Tunisian Entrelac Temperature Shawl, a slow, year-long project where you create one small square for each day of the year based on the temperature. Each square becomes part of a growing, textured fabric that tells the story of your year in colour and stitch. Whether you’re following along with the temperature shawl or simply learning Tunisian crochet entrelac for the first time, this tutorial will guide you through the process calmly and clearly, one stitch at a time.
Head over to the Tunisian Entrelac Temperature Shawl crochet pattern and find out more about this stunning year-long project.
One small square per day, beautiful texture, and a project that actually feels fun to come back to.
What is Tunisian Crochet?
Tunisian Crochet, also sometimes called Afghan crochet, is a technique that combines elements of both crochet and knitting. Like crochet, you use a hook, but this is usually elongated with a stopper on the end. For this project, you will just need to use a hook with a straight shaft. Like knitting, you work multiple loops onto the hook at once. The resulting fabric is thicker and denser than regular crochet, with a less stretchy texture. There are a large variety of Tunisian stitches available, some resembling knit stitches and others offering unique textures.
Click here to watch an introductory tutorial on Tunisian Crochet and the Tunisian simple stitch.
With Tunisian Crochet, the right side of the work always faces you. Each row of Tunisian Crochet consists of a forward pass and a return pass. The forward pass varies for different stitches, whilst the return pass is largely the same for all Tunisian stitches. If you are right handed, you will work from right to left for the forward pass. If you are left handed, you will work from left to right for the forward pass.
Tunisian Crochet Stitches
Set up Row
- Make a normal crochet chain of the number of stitches you require.
- Insert your hook into the back bump of the 2nd chain from the hook.
- Yarn over and pull through a loop (2 loops on your hook).
- Keep repeating steps 2 and 3 adding more loops onto your hook, until you reach the end of the chain. You should then have the same number of loops on your hook as the number of chains you made initially.
This and the return pass are shown in the tss video tutorial
Return Pass
If you are right-handed you will have done your set up row working from right to left, and now you are going to work back along the row from left to right. If you’re left handed, this will be the other way round.
- Chain one.
- Yarn over.
- Pull through two loops.
- Repeat steps 2-3 until you have one loop left on your hook.
Tunisian Simple Stitch Forward Pass
This is probably the most basic of the Tunisian Crochet stitches and the one used in this entrelac shawl. Once you have completed the set up row and return pass, you have one loop on your hoop. This is the first stitch of the row.
- Insert hook under the front vertical bar of the second stitch.
- Yarn over.
- Pull through a loop.
- Repeat steps 1-3 instead working into the next vertical bar of each stitch across to the last stitch.
- The last stitch is slightly different. After picking up a loop in every vertical bar, you will still need to work the last stitch to get the right number of loops on your hook. Remember you need the same number as the number of starting chains.
- To make the last stitch, turn your work to look at the end and insert your hook into the 2 loops of the chain 1 that we made at the start of the return pass. Yarn over and pull through a loop.
- Following the forward pass, you will then carry on to do a return pass to complete the row.
How to Work a Tunisian Crochet Entrelac Joining Square
Tunisian Crochet Entrelac is worked using four different types of squares, each with its own role in the structure of the fabric. You begin with a First Square, which starts the project. The second row joins to the first square and starts with an Initial Square, followed by a Final Square.
Each subsequent row then begins with an Initial Square, followed by one or more Joining Squares that connect into the previous row, and ends with a Final Square to neatly close the row. Once you understand how these four squares work together, you can confidently tackle any entrelac project — including large, long-term makes like a temperature shawl.
This blogpost tackles the Joining Square, which is worked between the initial and final square in the middle of every row.
Joining Square Step by Step
You will need
You can try this tutorial with any yarn and a corresponding hook. I used:
Stylecraft Special DK, 100% Acrylic, (100g/3.53oz, 295m/323yds)
5.0mm Crochet Hook with a straight shaft or hook 1mm larger than recommended for your yarn
Tapestry needle for working in ends
Stitch markers (optional)
Pin this Joining Tunisian Crochet Squares Pin to Your Crochet Pinterest Board for Later
Tunisian Crochet Entrelac YouTube Video Tutorial
If you prefer crocheting from a video tutorial, watch as I crochet the Tunisian entrelac temperature shawl. The joining square is shown from timestamp 30:03.
How to Do an Entrelac Joining Square? – Photo Tutorial
Step 1: If using the same colour as the previous square, continue where you left off. Otherwise join your yarn into the same stitch that you fastened off your previous joining square or initial square
Step 2: Working across the top of the square, insert your hook into the bind off stitches, yarn over and pull up a loop. Continue picking up stitches to last stitch.
Step 3: For the last stitch, insert the hook into the first stitch of the adjoining square, yarn over and pull up a loop. You should now have 7 loops on your hook.
Step 4: Make a return pass, but do not chain 1 at the start. Just yarn over, pull through 2, to the end. Repeat across until you have 1 loop left on the hook.
Step 5: Insert your hook under the vertical bar of the second stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Repeat this across going under each vertical bar across to last stitch. This is the Forward Pass.
Step 6: For the last stitch, insert your hook into the first stitch of the next row of the previous square, yarn over and pull up a loop.
Step 7: Repeat step 4 for the Return Pass.
Step 8: Repeat steps 5-7 three more times until you have 5 rows.
To bind off your square, insert the hook into the vertical bar of the second stitch as before, yarn over and pull up a loop, then pull through the loop on your hook as well, leaving 1 loop on your hook. Repeat this across the row, making the last stitch in the top of the adjoining square.
Fasten off if changing colour. If not changing colour, continue with your next joining square or final square.
This is your joining square completed. Every row that you work (worked on the diagonal) will have an additional joining square to the previous row. The joining squares go between an initial square at the start of the row and a final square at the end of the row.
Tips for Crocheting Tunisian Entrelac
- Keep your stitches nice and loose, particularly on the bind off.
- Pull up your stitches to their full height in the forward pass to ensure the stitches don’t end up too tight.
- Mark the last stitch with a stitch marker to help see where to insert your hook on the next row.
- Use a hook that is 1 size (1mm) larger than the recommended for your yarn.
What Next?
After completing your joining square, final square, initial square and your first square, you are now set up to create a Tunisian Crochet entrelac project and you’ll easily be able to make the Tunisian Entrelac Temperature Shawl:
- First Square – https://concretegems.co.uk/tunisian-crochet-entrelac-first-square
- Initial Square – https://concretegems.co.uk/tunisian-crochet-entrelac-initial-square
- Final Square – https://concretegems.co.uk/tunisian-crochet-entrelac-final-square
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, please do stick around and see what else you’d like to try on my website. You can find my other stitch tutorials here. You might like to learn the Waistcoat stitch!
I’m Gemma, a crochet tech editor, designer and overall crochet enthusiast. I’m also a mum of 3 kids, and enjoy running, reading, walking and crafting, but mostly crochet!
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I have lots of crochet stitch tutorials over on my YouTube channel so please do check them out. Here are some you might like:
- Crab stitch
- Double treble crochet stitches
- Even berry crochet stitch
- Stacked double crochet
- Crunch stitch
More Crochet Stitches
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What Projects can I make with Tunisian Crochet?
If you enjoyed learning how to do Tunisian Crochet in the entrelac style, then you might like to learn some other Tunisian Crochet stitches:
This roomy and comfy Tunisian Crochet market bag is not only practical but also a delightful exploration of Tunisian crochet techniques. Try your hand at a new technique with this Tunisian Crochet pattern.
Other crochet patterns you might enjoy
Don’t forget to check out my crochet patterns for more crochet inspiration.
- Simple Crochet Triangle Shawl Pattern – easy yet stunning with a gorgeous drape
- Easy Crochet Cushion Cover Free Pattern – a geometric mosaic crochet design
- Christmas Wreath Crochet Pattern – quick, easy and fun with a woodland theme
Thanks for reading and happy crocheting! 🧶
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