Brick by Brick – a Tunisian Mosaic Square

For the month of October, I’ll be participating in the Charity Cozy MAL hosted by Noor’s Knits and Knitting with Chopsticks. This is fun Make-a-Long (MAL) and proceeds from the purchase of the pattern will go to the non-profit Cure Childhood Cancer. I’ve designed the Brick by Brick square, a Tunisian Mosaic Crochet pattern that can be used to create garments or beautiful afghans. In this case, the individual square can be used with all the other patterns in the MAL to make a lovely blanket!

For more information, or to purchase the bundle, click here!

The square is worked bottom up and uses two colors, but the possibilities are endless! You could do a fade for color 2 or even work them in the same color for a strictly textural piece!

The pattern has step-by-step photos to help guide you through making the Front Post Stitches! There is also a video tutorial here that will help:

What You’ll Need:

• 2 different skeins of contrasting colors or worsted weight yarn, approximately 23 yards each. 
• 8mm (US L/11) Tunisian Crochet Hook with a 16” cable and stopper 
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle to weave in ends 

Yarn Notes:  Sample was made using Skein Tones from Lion Brand.  This is a worsted weight (4) yarn and 100% acrylic and measures 185y/100g. C1 was Truffle and C2 was Ivory. 

Final Dimensions:  8” by 8” blocked

Gauge: 8” by 8” = 25 sts by 23 rows 

Abbreviations:

• C1 – Color 1
• C2 – Color 2
• Ch – Chain 
• FPTDc – Front Post Tunisian Double crochet
• L-FPTdc – Last Front Post Tunisian Double crochet 
• Lts – Last Tunisian stitch 
• RetP – standard Tunisian return pass
• Sl st BO – Slip stitch Bind Off
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• St-FPTDc – Starting Front Post Tunisian Double crochet 
• Tss – Tunisian simple stitch
• YO – Yarn over

Stitch Dictionary:

• Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) – Insert hook into the vertical bar of the next st.  YO, and pull up a loop.  Leave loop on hook and move on to next st, collecting loops on your hook.  
• Last Tunisian Stitch (Lts) –  Insert hook under both of the vertical bars of the last stitch instead of the front bar, then Tss as normal.
• Return Pass (RetP) – YO and pull through first loop.  *YO and pull through next two loops*.  Repeat * to * until 1 loop remains on hook.
• Slip st Bind off (Sl st BO) – Insert hook into the vertical bar of the next st.  *YO, and pull through both loops*.  Repeat * to * across the row until the last st.  At the last st, insert hook under both of the vertical bars of the last stitch, YO and pull through both loops.  Fasten off.  
• Front Post Tunisian Double Crochet (FPTDc): YO, then place hook from right to left into post of Tss 2 rows down.  The post is made from the front and back vertical bars (Fig 1). YO and pull up a loop (Fig 2).  YO and pull through both loops (Fig 3). 

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

• Starting Front Post Tunisian Double crochet (ST-FPTDc): YO, insert hook from right to left through right side of the first Tss stitch two rows below (Fig 4).  YO and pull up a loop.  YO and pull through 2, then YO and pull through the last two. 

Fig 4

• Last Front Post Tunisian Double crochet (L-FPTDc): YO and insert hook from right to left through front two bars of the last st  2 rows below (Fig 5).  YO and pull up a loop. YO and pull through 2 loops.  Insert hook into left most 2 vertical bars on the working row as for a Lts, YO and pull up a loop.  YO and pull through 2.   

Fig 5

Pattern Notes:

• If your preference is to have a border all the way through, start every row with a St-FPTDc.
• Keep your tension loose on the FPTDc stitches as too much tension will cause the square to buckle in.  
• On the Tss only rows, the first loop on the hook counts as a st. 
• There is a chart on the last page to help guide you through the FP sts.

Pattern: 

This pattern is made in multiples of 6 plus 1. 

Row 1: Ch 25.  Working in the back bumps, pick up a st in the 2nd ch from the hook.  Pick up a st in the remaining sts.  RetP until you have 2 loops on your hook.  Change to C2 and pull through the last two loops on your hook. (25 sts) 

Row 2: Tss each st until the last st.  Lts in the last st.  RetP. (25 sts)

Row 3: Repeat Row 2.  On the RetP when you have 2 loops on your hook, Switch to C1 and pull through the last two loops on your hook. (25 sts)

Row 4: St-FPTDc in the first st.  *Tss in the next 5 sts, then FPTDc.*  Repeat * to * 2 more times, then Tss in the next 5 sts.  L-FPTdc in the last st.  RetP until you have 2 loops left on your hook.  Switch to C2 and pull through the last two loops on your hook.  (25 sts)

Row 5-6: Repeat Rows 2 and 3. 

Row 7: Tss in the next 2 sts.  *FPTDc, then Tss in the next 5 sts.*  Repeat 2 more times, then FPTDc in the next st,  then Tss in the next 2 sts.  Lts in the last st.  RetP until you have 2 loops left on your hook.  Switch to C2 and pull through the last two loops on your hook.  (25 sts)

Rows 8-22: Repeat Rows 2-7 twice, then repeat Rows 2-4. Do not change to C2.   

Row 23: Sl st BO.  You are done!

 

X= FPTDc stitch 

Each square represents a stitch

Final Notes: 

It is very important to block this piece.  This will help keep the corners sharp and prevent curl.  I recommended soaking your piece in a in cool water for 20 minutes in a non-wash rinse such as Eucalan or Soak.  Do not wring or twist the square, but instead roll it in a towel to get rid of any excess water.  Lay your square flat and use pins and a blocking board or towel to shape it, and allow it to completely dry. 

You are welcome to use the results of this pattern in social media, but please give credit to The Crafty Crochetier. You may sell the results of this pattern, but please give credit to The Crafty Crochetier.  You may not copy this pattern or use any photos from it for your own website or sell the pattern itself.

I hope you enjoyed making The Brick by Brick pattern.  Please tag me @thecraftycrochetier and #BrickbyBrickpattern on Instagram.  I’d love to see your finished work!