How to Make the Treble Crochet Stitch (aka Triple Crochet)

Treble Crochet Stitch     by Janice Jones  

Did you know that the treble (or, as some call it, the triple Crochet is one of the basic stitches that beginners learn? The other basic crochet stitches are:

• Single crochet stitch
• Half double crochet stitch
• Double Crochet stitch
• Chain-stitch
• Slip Stitch

It is the tallest of all the six basic crochet stitches. I fell in love with this stitch when I first learned to crochet.  Back then, crochet was confusing and the only thing I could do was memorize whatever my grandma and mentor told me today. 

But, with the treble crochet stitch, I could see it clearly with only one eye.  (I wore a patch with the hope that my amblyopia could be cured - this was a long time ago.)  Seeing stitches also meant that I could count the stitches and best of all, I could make something quickly because the stitch was so tall.

US Terms vs. UK Terms

I use US terms on this website because I am in the United States. But you should know that terminology is a little different in the UK.

If you are in the US, the stitch is called Treble Crochet or triple crochet stitches, abbreviated tr.

If you are in the UK, the stitch is called the Double Treble, abbreviated, dtr

The symbol for the Treble Crochet Stitch looks like this:

Understanding the Basics: How to Hold the Crochet Hook and Yarn

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of making the treble crochet stitch, let's review a couple of basics:

How to hold the crochet hook

How to hold the yarn while crocheting

How to make the chain stitch

Treble Crochet Beginner Tips

You will need some yarn and corresponding hook size to make a swatch. For beginners, I always recommend that you use a light-colored worsted weight or bulky yarn (CKC Yarn Weight 4 or 5) and a 5.0 to 6.0 mm crochet hook (US H to J)

Difficulty Level for Beginners

Abbreviation: tr - (US)  in UK: Double Treble dtr

Difficulty Level: Easy. This is one of the basic stitches 

How to Make the Treble Crochet Stitch

Begin by chaining the desired number of stitches plus 4 stitches for your foundation chain.

Row One:  Yarn over twice and insert the hook into the fifth chain from the hook.

• Yarn over and pull through ( 4 loops on the hook).
• Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on the hook).
• Yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on the hook).
• Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops on the hook (1 loop on the hook.
• Continue working one treble Crochet in each chain across the row.

Row 2:  Chain four and turn. The turning chain counts as a stitch. Yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch. Repeat as above until you have one loop left on the hook. Work one treble crochet stitch in each until you reach the end of the row. Place the last treble Crochet at the top of the turning chain from the previous row.  

Count Your Stitches

It is essential to get into the habit of counting your stitches. You want to do this because adding or decreasing a stitch is very easy, making your sides irregular.

Count your stitches after working the first row and then again after each row. The number of stitches should be the same on each row. If you have more than when you started, you have accidentally increased a stitch.

If you have less than your beginning row, you have accidentally made a decrease.

How to Fix:

Notice where you are placing your first stitch. If you place your first stitch anywhere else, your stitch count will be off.

Notice where your last stitch is made: It should be four spaces from the previous row at the top of the turning chain.

Tips for Mastering the Treble Crochet Stitch

Mastering the treble crochet stitch may take some practice, like any new stitch. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

• Practice the stitch on a swatch before incorporating it into your project.
• Pay attention to your tension, as a loose stitch can result in a floppy fabric.
• Use stitch markers to keep track of your stitches and avoid losing count.
• Start with a small project, such as a dishcloth or scarf, to get comfortable with the stitch before moving on to larger projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Working with the Treble Crochet Stitch

As with any new stitch, there are common mistakes to avoid when working with the treble crochet stitch. Here are a few to keep in mind:

1. Forgetting to yarn over twice before inserting the hook into the chain stitch.
2. Pulling the yarn too tightly when completing the stitch results in a tight fabric.
3. Losing count of your stitches, resulting in an uneven fabric.
4. Not paying attention to your tension results in a floppy fabric.

How to Increase and Decrease Treble Crochet Stitches

Increase

Increasing is easy.  If you want to make one increase, simply work two treble crochet stitches in the same space or stitch.

Decrease

Abbreviation:  tr2tog 

1. Start a regular treble crochet, but don’t pull through the last time.  There will be two loops on the hook.
2. Yarn over twice and insert your hook in the next stitch.
3. Pull up a loop – you now should have five loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
5. Yarn over and pull through two more loops.
6. Yarn over and pull through all three loops left on the hook.

Advanced Techniques to Enhance Your Treble Stitch Crochet Skills

Working in the front or back loop of the stitch

These slight variations make an attractive textured fabric and are worth checking out.

Post Stitches

Once you've mastered the basics of the treble stitch, there are some advanced techniques you can use to enhance your skills.

One technique is the front post treble crochet, which creates a raised stitch that adds texture and depth to your work. Instead of inserting the hook into the top of the stitch, you insert it around the post of the stitch from front to back, then follow the steps for the treble stitch as normal.

The opposite of this is the back post treble crochet.

I have a detailed tutorial about making the double crochet post stitches that might be helpful. 

Bobbles

A bobble can be made using treble crochet stitches as well as double crochet stitches. You may even want to try it with a crochet stitch taller than the treble. It creates a highly textured fabric that is fun to make.

Clusters

Another technique is the cluster stitch, which involves working multiple stitches into the same stitch to create a cluster. 

Shells

Treble crochet stitches can be used to make shell stitches as well as clusters.

Advantages of Using the Treble Crochet Stitch in Your Crochet Projects

There are several advantages to using the treble crochet stitch in your crochet projects. Here are a few:

1. Adds height and creates a more open and airy fabric.
2. Versatile stitches can create decorative stitches or add height to a project.
3. Creates a textured fabric when alternated with other stitches.
4. Adds a professional and polished look to your projects.

Beginner-Friendly Pillow Covering

You can use this treble crochet stitch alone or with other beginner stitches to make a throw pillow for your sofa or bed.Choose colors that coordinate with your décor. 

First, measure the pillow you want to cover, or alternatively, buy a pillow form already made from your local craft store or online.

For a small decorative bed pillow, you will need:

Recommended Yarn

Worsted Medium weight yarn, Number 4

Hook:  G6 or 4.25 mm

You will also need a pair of scissors and a yarn needle

Gauge:  13 tr stitches and 5 rows = 4 inches

Abbreviations Used

Chain Stitch (ch)

Triple Crochet (trc)

Yarn Over (yo)

Instructions

This pillow is available in two colors, but you can make it from solid fabric if you prefer. You will need to make two pieces (the front and back of the pillow) and then sew/weave the two together.

Make two.  For my project, I made two sides, one with blue and white and gray and white.  This makes the pillow reversible.

Weave in ends.

Attach two sides.  There are several ways to create seams in crocheting, either with a hook or a yarn needle.  For this easy crochet pattern, I am going to attach the seams using a slip stitch.  See below.

How to Make a Slip Stitch Seam

To make a slip-stitch seam, align the front on a flat surface. You can pin the two pieces together, but it should not be necessary for this project because you are aligning each based on the colored rows.

1. Make a slip knot and tighten around your hook.
2. Insert your hook through the first stitch of each side.  
3. YO and pull through both layers of fabric and loop on the hook.  
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the entire length of three sides.  

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Why the Treble Stitch Crochet Technique is a Must-Have Skill for Any Crocheter

The treble stitch is versatile and essential in Crochet. Mastering this stitch can open up possibilities for your crochet projects.

You can perfect your treble stitch crochet skills by understanding the basics, avoiding common mistakes, and using advanced techniques. So grab your hook and yarn, and start creating beautiful, lacy projects with confidence and skill. Happy crocheting!

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Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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