Crochet for Beginners: Treble Crochet Stitch

I hope you’ve all had a chance to practice single, double, and half double stitches after the previous lessons, and today I’d like to talk about the treble (or triple) crochet stitch. This stitch is the last and tallest of the four basic stitches. It isn’t usually crocheted on its own as a complete project, but is used to create gorgeous textures like Cablework!

A treble crochet is similar to a double crochet, but it is much taller and you yarn over twice before you insert the hook into the next stitch. You probably don’t hear about the treble crochet stitch as much as the other three because it’s not commonly used on its own. It is usually used in conjunction with the other stitches in order to create a project. You will see the terms treble and triple crochet used interchangeably in patterns. Both terms mean the same stitch. In a written crochet pattern, the treble crochet stitch is identified as “tr”.

Ok, I invite you to practice with me today! Follow the instructions and check the picture guide! As usual, please let me know if you have any questions!

Instructions

Create a slip knot and a foundation chain of 16.

Yarn over two times and insert your hook into the 5th ch from your hook.

Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will have 4 loops on your hook.

Yarn over and pull through two loops. Yarn over, pull through the next two loops. Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops. When you reach the end of the row, chain 4 to reach the height of the treble. Turn your work.

That’s all there is to it. I know it’s a little tricky to yarn over your hook twice, but the more you practice the more you’ll get the hang of it.

Tips

1. Watch the Space

Treble crochet stitches are very tall and leggy, and it is easy to be fooled into using the space between the stitches to anchor your new row of stitches, but don’t! Just work under those top two strands of the stitch. Practice the treble stitch for a few rows to get the rhythm of it.

2. Don’t forget about the last stitch! 

Because the chain 3 at the beginning of each row counts as a stitch, you’ll be double crocheting into the top chain of the chain 3. It can be a little tricky at times.

3. Remember to always count your stitches at the end of each row to make sure you’re on track.