Image: Tunnel Stitch - Frontal View

Image: Tunnel Stitch - Side View

The tunnel stitch is based on the Fur Stitch. It takes its name after the tunnel rows formed by loops made on the right side rows.

Tip: To shape your tunnels properly, after you finish the piece of fabric, slide a larger size needle through each tunnel to pull it up and even it out.

Difficulty level: Advanced

Instructions

Cast on as many stitches as you need + 2 edge stitches.

Work all rows as shown in the chart. Right side rows (1, 3, etc.) are worked from right to left. Wrong side rows (2, 4, etc.) are worked from left to right.

Symbol Key

- edge stitch

- knit 1

- purl 1

- make 1 loop - knit 1, but don't slip the stitch off the left-hand needle. The yarn should stay to the back of your right-hand needle. With your left thumb wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle once - it should end up at the back of the needle again. Knit 1 in the same stitch and slip off the entire 3 in 1 stitch on to the right-hand needle. Now slip the last stitch you knit onto the left-hand needle and pull the yarn over off the right-hand needle with your left thumb and your index finger, until your loop reaches the desired length. Next, knit 1 in the stitch you slipped on the left-hand needle, slip it off on the right-hand needle (the loop should "hang" between these two stitches) and pass the first stitch over it to "seal" the loop you made. Video instructions will follow soon.

- slip the hanging loop on the left-hand needle and purl together with the next stitch. The loop should still remain loose, so you can form the tunnel.

Traditional Instructions

Row 1: edge st, knit across to last st, edge st
Row 2: edge st, purl across to last st, edge st
Row 3: edge st, make loops across to last st, edge st
Row 4: edge st, slip a hanging loop on the left-hand needle and purl together with the next stitch to last st, edge st

Repeat rows 1 through 4.