Treble Crochet Stitch - Complete Guide, FAQ & 10 Easy Patterns (2024)

The treble crochet stitch (tr), also referred to as triple crochet, is the tallest of the six basic crochet stitches. Due to their tall and narrow stature, they work up quickly, resulting in lacy and loose fabric. TR stitches are useful for creating delicate projects and adding texture to your work.

This is typically the last crochet stitch you will learn among the six common crochet stitches. In this tutorial, we will explore how to make a treble crochet and introduce different tr variations and patterns. If you’re dipping your toes into this craft, read about the basics in the Beginner’s Complete Guide to Crochet.

What Will You Learn From This Treble Crochet Stitch Tutorial?

1. What is a Treble Crochet? The Anatomy, Abbreviation, and Chart Symbol
2. Turning Chain and Stitch Height for Treble Crochet
3. Step-by-step tutorial on How-to Treble Crochet
4. How to make treble crochet into the Foundation Chain and Next Row
5. How to Increase, Decrease, and Invisible Decrease in Treble Crochet
6. Treble crochet in different loops and its variations
7. Free crochet patterns that use the tr stitch

What is a Treble Crochet Stitch?

The treble crochet stitch is a tall and long stitch. Crocheting tr stitches in multiple rows creates an airy fabric that has more drape than projects made with other stitches. Don’t be confused if you see the terms treble crochet and triple crochet in the same written pattern. They are often used interchangeably in US crochet patterns but are actually the same stitch.

Abbreviation

A Treble Crochet (or triple crochet) is abbreviated as “tr” in US terminology and “dtr” (Double Triple Crochet or Double Treble Crochet) in UK terminology.

[Note: All our patterns and terms are based on the US letter and number system. This guide is demonstrated using the right hand.]

Chart Symbol

In a chart pattern, a Treble Crochet is represented by the letter “T” with two short diagonal crosses “\\” across the middle.

Anatomy

The treble crochet stitch consists of a front loop, a back loop, a third loop, and a post. The post of a stitch is also known as the body of a stitch and is most evident in treble crochet due to its height.

Due to their tall body, tr stitches are the second most popular stitch for making post stitches after double crochet. It’s usually seen in crochet cable stitch patterns to create a unique and creative braided appearance (we will share more about it later in this tutorial).

Stitch Height

A treble crochet stitch is equivalent to the height of four chain stitches. The length of the tr stitch indicates that you will normally need 4 chain stitches to bring the new row up to its appropriate height.

Turning Chain

A turning chain is used at the end or beginning of a row to help you move from one row to the next. The number of chain stitches required depends on the stitch you are using. Shorter stitches, such as single crochet, do not need as many chain stitches as longer stitches like hdc, dc, or tr.

The turning chain for treble crochet is typically 4 chain stitches (ch), while some patterns may call for only 3 ch. In most cases, the turning chain for tr counts as the first stitch of the row unless stated otherwise. Always refer to the pattern to see what it says!

To perform a treble crochet stitch, yarn over twice, insert your hook into the following stitch, and pull up a loop. Then, yarn over and pull through two loops at a time. Repeat 3 times until you are left with one loop on the hook. The extra yarnovers are what make the treble crochet longer than other stitches!

Let’s dive into the details of how to make a treble crochet with the step-by-step instructions below.

How to Crochet Treble Crochet Stitch

Making a treble crochet stitch is simple if you already know how to make the other basic stitches. Here is a detailed tutorial on how to make a tr stitch:

1. With an existing loop on the hook, YO (yarn over) the hook twice and insert the hook into a stitch;

2. YO again and draw the working yarn through the stitch;

3. You should have four loops on the crochet hook;

4. YO again and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook;

5. This is what it should look like, with three remaining loops on the hook;

6. YO again and pull the yarn through another two loops;

7. YO again and draw yarn through another two loops on the hook;

8. YO for the last time and draw the yarn through the remaining two loops;

9. You’ve completed your first treble crochet stitch!

Treble Crochet into a Foundation Chain

It’s time to make your first row of treble crochet! Begin with a foundation of chain stitches, and you’re ready to go.

1. Chain four for the turning chain, YO twice. Insert the hook into the 5th stitch from the hook;
2. Pull up a loop. You should see 4 loops on the hook;
3. YO and draw the yarn through the first two loops;
4. YO again and pull the yarn through the next two loops;
5. YO and draw the yarn through the last two loops.
6. Repeat the steps to make tr stitches until you reach the end of the row. Then, crochet 4 turning chains before starting the next row.

Treble Crochet in Next Row

If you didn’t make the turning chains at the end of the last row, you can do so before starting the next rows.

1. Skip the first 4 chains for the turning chain (counts as the first tr stitch) and turn your work clockwise. YO twice and insert hook into next stitch;
2. YO and pull up a loop;
3. YO again and pull the working yarn through the first two loops;
4. YO again and pull through another two loops;
5. YO and draw yarn through all the loops on the hook. This is what a tr stitch looks like in a row.

Treble Crochet Increase and Decrease

Once you learn how to make a regular tr stitch, you can discover new techniques like increases and decreases. This allows you to get creative with crochet designs and make more patterns!

1. How to Increase Stitches in Treble Crochet

Increasing stitches means placing two or more stitches into the same stitch from the previous row or round. Depending on the design, you can also crochet three or more stitches as an increase.

• 2tr: Crochet 2 tr stitches into the same stitch.
• 3tr: Crochet 3 tr stitches into the same stitch.
• 4tr: Crochet 4 tr stitches into the same stitch, and so on.

2. How to Decrease Stitches in Treble Crochet

A crochet decrease involves turning two stitches into one stitch. This helps to reduce the number of stitches per row/round.

1. YO twice and insert the hook into a stitch. Make a tr stitch until the last step. You should have two loops left on your hook;
2. YO twice again, insert the hook into the following stitch and make another treble crochet stitch until the last step. You should have three loops on your hook;
3. YO, pull through all three loops to complete a tr dec (tr2tog).

3. How to Invisible Decrease in Treble Crochet

Another method for decreasing stitches in tr crochet is the invisible decrease (inv dec). Unlike normal decrease, which combines two stitches into one, invisible decrease reduces the stitch even before the tr stitch is made.

1. Start the tr stitch like normal and insert your hook into the front loops only of the next two stitches;
2. Pull up a loop through these 2 front loops;
3. YO and pull through two loops at a time until you complete the tr stitch.

Treble Crochet in Different Loops

When you crochet, you would normally make your stitches under both top loops of a stitch. However, there are other parts of a stitch that you can crochet into to achieve a different effect.

• Front loop only – the top loop that is closest to you;
• Back loop only – the top loop that is furthest from you;
• 3rd loop only – the horizontal bar beneath the back loop on the back of your crochet work;
• Post stitches – the body of the stitch.

1. Treble Crochet Front Loop Only (tr flo)

• Place your hook into the front loop of the stitch from the previous row and make a regular treble crochet.

When crocheted in multiple rows, tr flo makes the fabric even more thin and stretchy, creating a nice drape. It also creates ridges from the unused back loops at the back of the crochet piece.

2. Treble Crochet Back Loop Only (tr blo)

• Place your hook into the back loop of the stitch and make a tr stitch.

Working tr stitches in the blo create ridges that are left from the unworked front loops. You can also use the empty loops to make decorative elements or add texture to your work.

3. Treble Crochet Third Loop Only (tr 3rd loop)

1. Find the third loop that is sitting right below the top loop.
2. YO twice and make a tr into that horizontal bar.

Crocheting in the 3rd loop only will create a knit-like ribbing that is left from the unworked top loops.

Taller Crochet Stitches

Tr is the tallest of the six basic crochet stitches, but you still can make taller stitches than tr. The image below shows a comparison of the height between all the basic stitches and taller stitches like double treble, triple treble, quadruple treble, and so on.

Learning how to make taller stitches is simple. Just make an extra yarn over at the beginning of the steps. The additional YO creates one more loop on the hook with which you need to work with.

These tall stitches create a much wider gap between the posts, resulting in a looser fabric looser, making it an excellent choice for openwork crochet.

How to work a Double Treble Crochet Stitch (abbreviation: dtr)

Here’s how to crochet dtr, a taller stitch than tr, with an extra yarn over at the beginning of the stitch.

1. Make 5 chain stitches as the turning chain;
2. YO 3 times and insert the crochet hook into the next stitch;
3. YO and pull through two loops at a time for 4 times until you are left with one loop on the hook.

Note: With more yarnovers, the stitch will end up being taller.

Treble Crochet Stitch Variations

Treble Crochet Post Stitches

Treble crochet is the best stitch to use for post stitches due to its long body. They’re great for creating textures and are used in cable stitch patterns. To perform front post treble crochet and back post treble crochet, insert your hook around the respective parts of the stitch from the previous row, then make an ordinary tr stitch.

Linked Treble Crochet

The steps to making linked treble crochet stitch (abbrev. LTR) are very similar to a regular tr stitch, and it is a hybrid between Tunisian and Treble Crochet. LTR creates a dense fabric with no visible gaps, which makes it a great stitch for baby blanket patterns.

Extended Treble Crochet

The extended treble crochet (abbrev. ETC) is also like the normal treble crochet but with one extra step. This makes the fabric slightly taller and bulkier than with the normal technique.

Crossed Treble Stitch

The crossed treble stitch works great with thin yarn for delicate crochet projects such as shawls, scarves, and cardigans. It creates an open fabric with big gaps between the stitches and doesn’t use up too much yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s Next?

If you’re new to crochet, learn more about this craft through our free tutorials:

• How to Hold Crochet Yarn and Crochet Hook for Beginners
• How to Make Slip Knot in Crochet – 3 Simple Methods
• How to Crochet Magic Ring
• How to Crochet Slip Stitch
• How to Crochet Chain Stitch
• How to Single Crochet
• How to Half Double Crochet
• How to Double Crochet
• More Free Crochet Patterns

Treble Crochet Patterns

Tr stitches are one of the quickest basic stitches to work up. They aren’t the most common stitches in patterns, but they aren’t difficult to make. Tr stitches produce larger gaps and a more “holey” fabric. Check out these free patterns using treble crochet stitches!