I’ve been wrestling with The Tss Grid. I merely wanted an all-purpose way to go 45º with the easiest stitch ever...symmetrically [cough]. I thought my goal would be easy to accomplish within a week, but it took an intense three. I’ve published the first happy results as a free pattern! (See right column, below.)

 

Biased Forces Hidden in the Grid

Due to undercurrents of asymmetry, Tss fabric can seem uncooperative for dramatic and freeform shapes. Rows might slant (bias) to one side while tilting (curling) to the front or back. What little stretch Tss has is also uneven: the first stitch (edge) of each new row is naturally looser and stretchier than the last stitch (edge). The inelasticity of the return pass horizontal bars is another factor.

 

Rotating the Tunisian "grid" 45º destabilizes it, and also brings buried asymmetries to the surface, especially along the edges. It is so exciting! Maddening! Exhilarating! Normally static horizontal bars now dynamically drape and stripe on the bias. Our beloved Tss stitch is freed up to do even more...with the right tweaks.

 

Diagonal Tunisian Edges Tested

After searching in over 100 Tunisian crochet sources for edge shaping methods, I found eight. I swatched them in simple Tss diamond shapes. Common shaping methods don't work as well for diagonal Tunisian because most left-edge shaping either doesn't look the same or stretch the same (or both) as the right edge.

I swatched 50 more edges using every method I could think of. I’m finding that the same shaping method can give a wildly different look and flexibility level to each of the four types of edges: left increases + left decreases + right increases + right decreases.  

I now suspect that the number of possible Tunisian edge-shaping methods is infinite (far more than eight). Some edges look lacy, some are elastic, and others have a thick, decorative texture. Exciting, isn’t it? 

 

From among these edge swatches I found a match of four compatible edges in terms of elasticity and a uniformly plain, solid texture. I used them for the new 'Symmetrical Diamond 101' pattern. It’s free because it's a good introduction to a symmetrically diagonal Tss that is also self-edging. It’s also a great first step toward understanding how the Four and Five Peaks designs work (and several other designs I have in mind!).

 

I have a promising set of four diamond edges that have a purposely decorative beady-bobble texture. I’m still tweaking it because it buckles a bit. You can see it in the topmost right column photo.
 

My ideal Tunisian shaping options would offer a nuanced array of benefits: selvage-like nicely finished edges that make additional edgings optional. All edges look like they go together so that one edge is not lacy or stringy if another edge is ridgy and thick. Most importantly for polished clothing designs, all edges stretch and drape equal to each other, symmetrically. Hems and seams of cardigans are even without aggressive blocking. A large Tunisian triangle shape, such as a shawl, drapes with straight sleek points.