INTRODUCTION

Creatief Kerchief

by Marieke van Bommel

How about exploring your creativity with this Tunisian crochet kerchief? With just two basic Tunisian crochet stitches you can make this little shawl and become skillful in a new craft. After a few repeats you'll get the hang of this pattern, so expect easy crocheting ahead. If you want to learn the Tunisian crochet skills first, stick with the one-color option. If you're an adventurous maker, go with the two-colored striped version. 

Creatief Kerchief (pronouncement: kree-A-tief) is Dutch for "to create" and "creatively". This design is an invitation to create your own, maybe first, Tunisian crochet item made to your liking. The creative process starts with choosing your yarn colors, maybe by browsing your stash. When you finish the Creatief Kerchief the creativity continues because it can be tied and styled in different ways.

This neckerchief is diamond shaped and can be worn in several ways around the neck which makes it a versatile accessory. When wrapped around your neck there are several ways to tie or bind it – a kerchief-/scarf ring works well, or just tie it as you like. But the creative options are unlimited, consider for instance wearing it as a headband, belt or bracelet. 

model + photos: Marieke van Bommel

SIZE

One
Adjustable to accommodate your yardage and gauge

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Sample shown measures:
Width: 7.75 inches/20 cm
Length: 47.25 inches/120 cm

MATERIALS

Sample 1, two colors striped version (shown above):
Holst Supersoft [50% merino wool and 50% Shetland wool; 314yd/287m per 50g skein];
[MC] Indigo (033); 1 skein
[CC] Ecru (098); 1 skein
Note: The sample used roughly half of the MC skein (approximately 140 yds/130 m) and about a third of the CC skein (approximately 80 yds/70 m)

Sample 2, single-color version (shown below):
Annell Super Extra Color [75% superwash wool and 25% polyamide; 460yd/420m per 100g skein]; 2912 (blue variegated); 1 skein
Note: roughly half the skein was used for the sample (approximately 210 yds/190 m)

Yarn Characteristics
Sample 1 is made in Holst Supersoft which is a non-superwash pure wool yarn that softens and blooms after its first wash and softens even more with wear.

Sample 2 is made in a regular sock yarn. It can be substituted with a yarn that has similar attributes.
Note: Tunisian crochet creates a dense fabric so when substituting yarn use a light-fingering weight for a similar lightweight kerchief; for example a sock set, a few minis or a self-striping yarn.

Recommended needle size
[always use a hook size that gives you the gauge listed below - every crocheter's gauge is unique]
US F/8 | 5mm Tunisian crochet hook with a stopper or cable.
Note: If you don't have a Tunisian crochet hook, this can be substituted with a standard crochet hook without an ergonomic handle and a rubber band secured over and over unti it makes a little knob at the end. At the widest point in this pattern, the stitches might be a little bunched up on the hook after a forward pass.

Notions
locking stitch marker
scissors
yarn needle

GAUGE

17 stitches/15 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern repeat (2 rows Tss, 1 row Tfs)

Note: In Tunisian crochet, a row includes both the forward and the return pass.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method:
This kerchief is worked flat, from one point to the other.

Tunisian crochet tips:

• Flat Tunisian crochet is worked in forward and return passes, without turning. The right side is always facing you.
• In the instructions below, the first half of the row is the “forward pass”, the second half is the “return pass”. In this pattern, the return pass is always worked simply, using the RP or RPCC, as per the glossary.
• Increases and decreases are worked on the forward passes.
• Color changes between the MC and CC happen at the end of a return pass. Carry the inactive color up along the side. This is easiest when your MC yarn is always on the right and your CC yarn is always on the left.
• When you make your first stitch after changing from CC to MC, make sure the CC carried up is held to the right on the back side of the work. This way the CC will get trapped behind the MC. See below:

• To make the edge stitches easier to work, put a locking stitch marker on the edge stitch at the end of each forward pass (see below). When you make the one-color version, it can be helpful to put a stitch marker on the right side of the last Tunisian full-stitch row to easily see when it's time to increase again, after two rows of Tunisian simple stitch.
  
  
  
• When you're making the one-color version, ignore the color change instructions.

List of Abbreviations and Stitch Instructions:

• RP - return pass: Ch1, *YO and pull through 2 loops; repeat from * until 1 loop rems on hook.
• RPCC - return pass with color change: Ch1, *YO and pull through 2 loops; repeat from * until 2 loops remain on hook, pick up next color, YO and pull through 2 loops, 1 loop remains on hook. On Row 2, you will join CC for the first time.
• Sk: skip
• Tfs - Tunisian full stitch: Before the next vertical bars, insert the hook under the horizontal bar, from front to back, YO, pull up a loop. (This stitch is worked between the stitches of the previous row.)
• Tss - Tunisian simple stitch: Insert hook under next front vertical bar from right to left, YO, pull up a loop. (You are working on the front of the fabric, the hook should not go through to the back. Always skip the first set of vertical bars on the edge of the right side.)
• TE - Tunisian edge stitch: Insert the hook behind both of the 2 vertical bars on the outer edge from front to back, YO, pull up a loop. This stitch creates a neat edge. If you have trouble locating it, mark the Ch1 from every return pass with a stitch marker. Place it around both bars of the stitch. See image above.

DIRECTIONS

Setup:
With MC, ch 3, skip the first chain, insert hook and pull up a loop in the 2 rem chains (3 loops on hook). Work RP.

Increase section:
Row 1: 2 Tfs, TE. 4 loops on hook. RP.
Row 2: 2 Tss, TE. RPCC, joining CC. Leave both CC and MC attached throughout.
Row 3: With CC. 2 Tss, TE. RPCC.
Row 4: With MC. Tfs across, to last vertical bar, TE. 5 loops on hook. RP.
Row 5: With MC. Tss across, to last vertical bar, TE. RPCC.
Row 6: With CC. Tss across, to last vertical bar, TE. RPCC.
Row 7: With MC. Tfs across, to last vertical bar, TE. 1 st increased. RP.
Row 8: With MC. Tss across, to last vertical bar, TE. RPCC.
Row 9: With CC. Tss across, to last vertical bar, TE. RPCC.

Repeat Rows 7-9 26 more times, until you have 32 sts.

Note: If you'd like a wider and longer kerchief, continue the pattern repeat, increasing until you reach your preferred measurements; if you are managing a specific yardage, continue increasing until you have used no more than 45% of your yarn, to ensure that you do not run out in the decrease section. Always end after Row 9.

Decrease section:
Row 1: With MC. Skip the first vertical bar. Tfs across, to last 2 vertical bars remain, sk next vertical bar, TE. (1st decreased). RP.
Row 2: With MC. Tss across, to last vertical bar, TE. RPCC.
Row 3: With CC. Tss across, to last vertical bar, TE. RPCC.

Repeat Rows 1-3 until 4 sts rem.

Final section
Row 1: With MC. Skip the first vertical bar. 1 Tfs, TE. 3 sts. RP.
Row 2: With MC. 1 Tss, TE. RP.
Row 3: With MC. Tss the next 2 stitches together by putting the hook under next vertical bar and edge stitch (2 loops on hook). YO and pull through 2 loops. YO and pull through remaining loop.

Fasten off and cut both working yarns.

FINISHING

Handwash and lay flat to dry. Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Marieke van Bommel is a triple-stitcher venturing on a Tunisian crochet design adventure. She lives the spoonie life in the Netherlands with her spouse. She is in several yarn-related communities on Discord and an organizing volunteer for the Fasten Off Yarnalong each year. Ravelry and Instagram are less accessible for her.

You can find her online as Solace in Stitches, on Ravelry, Instagram and Facebook.

Pattern & images © 2025 Marieke van Bommel