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

Treble Crochet Stitch     by Janice Jones     |Updated 05-19-2023

Did you know that the treble (or as some call it the triple crochet is one of the basic stitches that beginner's learn?  

It's one of the tallest stitches and can be adapted for many differen projects.

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

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

Treble Crochet Stitch worked in pink yarn

If you want to make a quick project, this may be the stitch for you.  Blankets, pillows or anything that requires a fabric made of tall stitches are easy to create and work up fast.

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

Before we dive into the treble stitch, it's important to understand how to hold your crochet hook and yarn. There are two common ways to hold the crochet hook: the pencil grip and the knife grip.

The pencil grip involves holding the hook like a pencil, while the knife grip involves holding the hook like a knife. Choose the grip that feels most comfortable to you.

Next, let's talk about how to hold the yarn. The most common method is to wrap the yarn around your pinky finger, then over your ring finger, under your middle finger, and over your index finger. Hold the yarn taut with your index finger and thumb, and adjust the tension as needed.

Once you've got the basics down, it's time to move on to the treble stitch.

Treble Crochet Beginner Tips

This is the next largest stitch after the double crochet and is easy to do.  I recommend that you practice a swatch of Treble crochet before attempting to work it in a pattern.

  • Use a medium size Hook such as a F, G, H (3.75 mm,4.25 mm, 5 mm.) hook. Hook Conversions 
  • Use worsted or bulky yarn (numbers 4 or 5 to make it easy to work and see what you are doing.)
  • Use Lighter colored yarn so you can see your stitches, count your stitches and see what you are doing
  • Save your practice swatches as you may be able to work them into interesting projects down the road.

Difficulty Level for Beginners

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

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

Time Required: 5 minutes. This stitch is not difficult to master

Craft yarn council number 4 worsted weight yarn symbol.

Steps to Making the Treble Crochet Stitch

Let's make a small patch using the treble crochet stitch (tr).  For this practice, I am using a 4.50 mm hook  and worsted yarn, number 4, medium weight yarn.

How to Make the Treble Crochet Stitch

  1. Begin by chaining the desired number of stitches.
  2. Yarn over twice.
  3. Insert the hook into the fifth chain from the hook.
  4. Yarn over and pull through the chain stitch.
  5. You should now have four loops on your hook.
  6. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on your hook.
  7. Yarn over and pull through the next two loops on your hook.
  8. Yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook.
treble crochet stitch tutorial yo 2 timesYarn Over for Making the Treble Crochet Stitch
treble crochet stitch tutorial, 4 loops on hookFour loops on the hook; Treble Crochet Stitch Tutorial
The treble crochet stitch tutorial with 3 loops on hookThree loops on hook: Treble Crochet Stitch Tutorial
Treble crochet stitch tutorial, 2 loops left on hookTwo loops left on hook: Treble Crochet Tutorial
Treble crochet stitch, tutorial one row workedFirst row of Treble Crochet Stitch with a turning chain of 4 chain stitches

That is one Treble Crochet Stitch.  Continue making treble (triple crochet stitches) into each chain stitch until you reach the end of the row. 

Turn your work and chain four. (This chain 4 is called the turning chain).  Most patterns will tell you whether this chain of 4 stitches counts as a stitch.  Most do, but check your pattern.  

Count Your Stitches

Continue in this manner until you reach the end of the row.  You have now completed the second row of Treble Crochet.  You should have six stitches on each row.  As you work subsequent rows, continue to count your stitches so you know you have the same number on each row.  

If you find you have more than six stitches, you have somehow increased a stitch by working more than one stitch into a chain.  If you have less than six stitches, you've likely missed a chain stitch.

Tips for Mastering the Treble Crochet Stitch

Like any new stitch, mastering the treble crochet stitch may take some practice. 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, resulting in a tight fabric.
  3. Losing count of your stitches, resulting in an uneven fabric.
  4. Not paying attention to your tension, resulting in a floppy fabric.

Advanced Techniques to Enhance Your Treble Stitch Crochet Skills

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. To do this, 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. 

Swatch of the treble crochet stitch front post stitchTreble Crochet Stitch Front Post Stitch

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 stitch that can be used to 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

Two-color treble crochet pillow cover

You can use this treble crochet stitch alone or in combination 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 alternately, 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 worked in two colors but if you prefer, you can make it a solid fabric.  You will need to make two pieces, (front and back of the pillow) and then sew/weave the two together.

To Join a new color at the end of the row:  

On the final treble crochet stitch, work through until there is only two loops left on the hook.  Wrap the new color around the hook and then draw it through the last two loops on the hook. 

Turn your work, chain four with the new color.  If you find the ends are slipping, you can knot them loosely and then undo the knot at the very end of your project when you sew/weave the ends

For a 16 by 16 inch pillow,  

Loosely Ch 52.  Turn.

Treble crochet into the 5th stitch from the hook and continue trc in each chain till the end of the row.  Turn.  Chain.

Trc in each stitch to end of row.  Last stitch:  Follow the instructions above for joining a new color at the end of the row.  With new color turn and ch 4.  Continue in this manner until you have made 20 trc rows.  Fasten off.

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

Weave in ends.

Attach two sides together.  There are several ways to create seams in crocheting, either with a hook or a yarn needle.  For the purposes of 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 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 hook.  
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the entire length of three sides.  

Make a Quick Crocket Scarf

A crochet scarf made with treble crochet will work up in no time and provide extra warm or a cozy gift to that special person.  Since the treble crochet stitch is so tall, the scarf can be made during one sitting and can be completed why you binge on your favorite show.

There is two ways to make this scarf - crochet vertically or horizontally.  Either way, get into the habit of counting stitches and checking your gauge.  While gauge is not as important in a scarf pattern, if you develop the habit now, your next garment creation will be that much easier.

Scarf Pattern Using the Treble Crochet Stitch Worked Vertically 

This pattern is for a scarf that is roughly 60 inches long and six inches wide.  Please adjust accordingly if you prefer a longer or shorter scarf.  If you prefer a wider scarf, just work an extra couple of rows.  For scarves that are narrower, work less rows.  

Recommended Yarn

Worsted Medium weight yarn, Number 4

Hook:  G6 or 4.25 mm

Gauge:  13 tr stitches and 5 rows = 4 inches

Abbreviations Used
Chain Stitch (ch)

Triple Crochet (trc)

Yarn Over (yo

Instructions

Loosely ch 240

Row 1:  Work the first trc in the fourth chain from the hook.  Continue to work one trc in each chain until the end of the row.  

Chain four and turn your work.

Repeat row one until you have the desired width of scarf you want.

Last stitch: Leave about a 5 inch tail and clip yarn.  With one loop left on the hook from your last trc, YO as if to make another stitch, but instead, pull the loop through the last loop on hook and pull tight.

Scarf Pattern Using the Treble Crochet Stitch Worked Horizontally

For a scarf that is roughly six inches wide, you will start with a chain of 24 chain stitches.  If you want a scarf that is wider (or narrower) adjust the number of chains you make.

Recommended Yarn

Worsted Medium weight yarn, Number 4

Hook:  G6 or 4.25 mm

Gauge:  13 tr stitches and 5 rows = 4 inches

Abbreviations Used
Chain Stitch (ch)

Triple Crochet (trc)

Yarn Over (yo)

Single Crochet (sc)

Instructions

Ch 24 and turn

Row 1:  Trc in 4th stitch from hook.  Trc in each stitch until the end of the row.  Turn and Ch 4.  The chain counts as one stitch.

Row 2:  Repeat Row one until you have reached the length of scarf you desire.  Crocheted and Knitted Scarves can be different lengths.

Last row:  Work trc to last stitch.  Leave about a 5 inch tail and clip yarn.  With one loop left on the hook from your last trc, YO as if to make another stitch, but instead, pull the loop through the last loop on hook and pull tight.

Optional:  If you'd like a nice neat edge around your scarf, you can single crochet around length of scarf.  Be sure to make you single crochet stitches loosely so as not to pull.  Tightly made single crochet around your trc stitches will cause the edges to pucker.

Attach the yarn with a slip knot and ch 1;  Single crochet (sc) in each trc across the end row till last stitch. 

In last trc, 2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc to turn the corner.  Continue down the length of the  scarf, with 1 sc in back loop of each chain stitch that makes up the last trc in the row. 

Ch1, 2 sc and turn. 

SC in each trc across the row. In last trc, 2 sc, ch 1, 2 sc to turn the corner.

Continue down the length of the scarf as before with one 1 sc in back loop of each chain that made up the last treble crochet stitch.  

Last stitch:  2 sc in last treble crochet stitch.  Ch 1, 1 sc and pull ends through to finish off.

Weave loose ends using a yarn needle.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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

The treble stitch is a versatile and essential stitch in crochet. Mastering this stitch can open up a world of possibilities for your crochet projects. By understanding the basics, avoiding common mistakes, and using advanced techniques, you can perfect your treble stitch crochet skills. So grab your hook and yarn, and start creating beautiful, lacy projects with confidence and skill. Happy crocheting!

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