The Tunisian Reverse Purl Stitch

The Tunisian Reverse Purl Stitch (TRps)

To me, the Tunisian Reverse Purl Stitch (TRps) is one of those stitches that really earns its place in Tunisian crochet, especially when it comes to ribbing (learn more about stretchy 2 x 2 ribbing here). When I use TRps as part of 2 x 2 ribbing, I get fabric that feels springy, stretches easily, and then pulls itself back into shape — exactly what you want for cuffs and brims.

In my own work, I usually alternate two rows of Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS) and two rows of TRps, making a neat 2 x2 ribbing. This works so well because of the way TKS naturally behaves. Tunisian Knit Stitch has a tendency to curl, and instead of fighting that, pairing it with rows of TRps helps balance things out. The two stitches push against each other, creating a natural stretch-and-release effect in the fabric.

That interaction — the curl of TKS combined with the stabilising nature of TRps — is what makes this combination, in my experience, one of the most effective ways to get true ribbing in Tunisian crochet.

If you’d like to learn how to work the stitch I use for this ribbing, you’ll find a step-by-step tutorial below. There’s also a short video for visual learners showing exactly how to work the Tunisian Reverse Purl Stitch.

How to Make the Tunisian Reverse Purl Stitch (TRps):

1. Identify the Vertical Bars:

   • Locate the vertical bars of the stitch you are working on. These are the two vertical strands that make up each stitch, then bring your yarn to the front of your work

2. Insert the Hook:

   • From behind, insert your hook through vertical bars of the stitch, going through the back of the stitch/vertical bars and coming out to the front.

3. Yarn Under:

   • Yarn under and pull up a loop. The yarn will now be at front of your work.

4. Continue:

   • Repeat the process for each stitch across the row including the End Stitch.

For a visual guide, check out the short video below demonstrating this method: