This pattern is dedicated to my mom Penny, an amazing fibre artist who could knit and crochet with the speed and precision of a finely tuned machine. She was an amazingly patient teacher, fixed my mistakes and I am forever grateful to share this artform.

Penny’s Puzzle is stunningly textured blanket constructed using TITR (Tunisian in the Round) techniques to complete 9 unique octagons, 4 unique squares and 8 triangles. Motifs are easily joined using a technique that showcases and defines each piece and completed with a simple border.

This pattern is suitable for competent beginners with a solid knowledge of basic Tunisian crochet.
You will need interchangeable hooks connected with a cable.

I have made numerous versions of this design using a variety of self-striping and ombre yarns and provide yarn requirements for a few of my favourites. Striped/ombre yarns create beautiful graphics on a background of solid colour with minimal yarn tails.

You will learn how start and complete TITR octagons, squares and triangles, read colour coded stitch charts (trust me, much easier than following round by round written instructions), and complete a piece of “heART”. I have included many hints on how to avoid yarn tangles, easy assembly techniques, fix mistakes (it happens) and will guide you to success.

I’ve been playing with TITR for more than 7 years, created the method for charting designs, introduced the idea of using a smaller hook for the return pass to correct tension differences, and literally wrote the first book on TITR “Learn Tunisian Crochet in Round” published in 2021 by Annies. Completing more than 300 projects (blankets, hats, cowls, ponchos, stockings, mittens) has been a continuous learning, and refining techniques process. I’ve taught hundreds of ultimately successful students, some beginners to Tunisian crochet, and received rave reviews, most recently at the PEI Fibre Festival. I learn something every time I teach.