Stretchy Tunisian Crochet: Master the Extended Return Pass (ERetP)

How to Work the ERetP

It’s very simple, and once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes completely automatic.

Working flat:

• Start the return pass as normal: YO, pull through 1 loop (this keeps your edge neat)

• Then for the rest of the row: A: YO, B: Ch 1, C: YO, D: pull through 2 loops to the end

Working in the round:

• A: YO, B: Ch 1, C: YO, D: pull through 2 loops to the end all the way around (See images below)

That’s it. You’re just gently extending each step of the return pass.

A Quick Note About the Fabric “Widening”

Sometimes, right after the return pass, the fabric looks a little wider—especially at the beginning of a project.

Don’t worry. This is completely normal.

As soon as you work the next forward pass, everything straightens out again and the fabric settles into its true shape. It’s just the yarn relaxing around the extended return. Once a few rows are stacked, it disappears.

When to Use the ERetP

Use it whenever you want more stretch or a softer feel, such as:

• Hats

• Cowls

• Socks

• Anything fitted or worn close to the body

Or honestly, you can use it in any Tunisian project if you like the way it behaves. Because it doesn’t change the stitch look, it’s a totally safe upgrade from a standard RetP.