There are many different ways to make increases in Tunisian crochet. Following a question from Stasia in the Ravelry group Tunisian crochet explorers, I decided to share here how to make a double increase using 2 different Tunisian stitches picked up in the same stitch from the previous row. It’s just one way to increase the number of stitches in a row made in Tunisian knit stitches. Bear in mind that variations are endless.

I created a photo tutorial to show you step by step how to make the type of increases shown in the photo here above. I also posted a video on my YouTube channel. Mind you: this video is in French. The link is available at the end of this article.

Increases in Tunisian crochet

On my website you’ll find a series of different types of increases in Tunisian crochet. This series is not exhaustive. There are many other ways to crochet increases. How come there are so many different options? Because Tunisian crochet is not limited to the Tunisian simple stitch. You can make a wide variety of different stitches which will all have a different aspect. The same is true for increases. If technically the purpose of an increase remains the same (add one or more stitches to the total number of stitches in a row), the use of different types of increases will considerably change the appearance of your project.

Choose where to place your double increase

The sample I show you in this article is made in Tunisian knit stitches. To make a double increase, it is important to spot where increases will align from one row to the next. I opted for the middle of the row. It shows the symmetry of the Tunisian knit stitches on each side of the central line made of increases. You can move this line of increases to the beginning or the end of the row, depending on what visual aspect you want to achieve in your project. It does not matter how many Tunisian knit stitches you make before and after the line of increases.

The first increase is made in the blue stitch. The second increase is made in the yellow stitch.

First increase: 2 loops picked up in the same stitch

In the first stitch, in blue, start by making a Tunisian knit stitch. So far, nothing different from what you have done from the beginning of the row.

To make a Tunisian knit stitch, insert your hook in between the front and back vertical bars, through the work, from front to back. Then yarn over and pull up a loop.

The actual increase is done by making a Tunisian simple stitch into that same stitch in blue where you picked up a loop to make a Tunisian knit stitch. You insert your hook under the front vertical bar only before you yarn over and pull up a loop.

You pick up 2 loops by inserting your hook into 2 different places in the same stitch from the previous row. You start with a Tunisian knit stitch, then you make a Tunisian simple stitch, both into the same stitch in blue.

Second increase: 2 loops picked up in the same stitch

To make the second increase in the next stitch in yellow, you apply the same method as for the first increase: you pick up 2 loops by inserting your hook into different places into the same stitch. The difference is that you pick up other stitches than for the first increase. You use twisted stitches.

In the yellow stitch, you start by making a twisted up Tunisian simple stitch.
Warning: make sure you make a twisted up Tunisian simple stitch! This is very important. A Tunisian simple stitch can be twisted in different directions. For more details about that, see the article where I describe the twisted up and down Tunisian simple stitches.

In short, to make a twisted up Tunisian simple stitch, you insert your hook under the front vertical bar from the opposite side of the bar, in the opposite direction compared to your progress in the row. For right-handed people, that is from left to right. For left-handed people, that is from right to left. Then make a yarn over and pull up a loop.

Have a good look at this photo. The loop you have just picked up to make a twisted up Tunisian simple stitch comes from the opposite side of the yellow vertical bar compared to the previous loop you picked up to make a Tunisian simple stitch in the blue vertical bar.

A word about twisted Tunisian knit stitch

The orientation of the yellow stitch has slightly changed. It is twisted compared to all other stitches in the row. Pick up a second loop by making a twisted Tunisian knit stitch in that yellow stitch. Simply insert your hook in between the front and back vertical bars of that yellow stitch, through the work, from front to back. I highlighted the back vertical bar in red so that you can easily spot it.

In short, for the second increase, you pick up 2 loops by inserting your hook into different places in the same stitch. First you make a twisted up Tunisian simple stitch. Then you make a twisted Tunisian knit stitch. Both are picked up from the same stitch.

End of the row after the double increase

Once you have made the increases, simply keep on picking up Tunisian knit stitches until you reach the end of the row. Before you start the return pass, have a good look at these 2 central loops you have added.

In blue, see the alignment of Tunisian simple stitches in which you pick up 2 different stitches in each new row (first a Tunisian knit stitch, then a Tunisian simple stitch).

In yellow, see the alignment of twisted Tunisian simple stitches in which you pick up 2 different stitches in each new row (first a twisted Tunisian simple stitch, then a twisted Tunisian knit stitch).

Video (in French) to show the double increase

In addition to the photo tutorial above, I have posted a video (in French) where I show in motion how to make one full row in Tunisian knit stitches with a double increase in the middle of the row.