How To Do A Treble Crochet Stitch [Video Tutorial]

Crocheting is a craft that allows you to create intricate designs and beautiful garments using just a hook and yarn. The treble crochet stitch (often abbreviated as TR) holds a special place among the stitches available to crocheters. If you’re new to crocheting or looking to expand your stitch repertoire, make sure to learn how to crochet treble stitch.

In this guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of creating the treble crochet stitch. Whether you’re already familiar with basic crochet stitches or not, you’ll find valuable insights and tips in this article.

Understanding the Treble Crochet Stitch

The treble crochet stitch is taller compared to single and double crochet stitches. It adds height to your crochet fabric. You can use it to create lacy patterns, openwork designs, or simply to add texture to your projects. Understanding the anatomy of a treble crochet stitch is the first step toward mastering it.

Why Learn How to Treble Crochet

This stitch helps create visually interesting projects. Here are some reasons to learn it:

• Height – as it’s taller than most basic stitches, it works up fast while at the same time creating airy fabric.
• Openness – the spaces between the stitches open as the fabric moves, adding to its lacy look. Such style is perfect for summer accessories and openwork patterns.
• Versatility – the extra height is an advantage in unique designs. That’s why we use this stitch in various crochet projects. They may include accessories, garments, shawls, or appliques.
• Texture – as many as four yarnovers add a lot of texture to each treble stitch. You will easily make modifications with this technique, such as introducing post stitches or interlocking them.
• Fast Progress – thanks to its height, treble crochet stitch quickly covers a lot of ground.

How to Make a Treble Crochet Stitch

Let’s see how many chains are in a turning chain for a treble crochet.

The turning chain for treble crochet is four chain stitches and it counts as a stitch.

Start with…

• How to Make a Slip Knot
• How to Make a Foundation Chain

Video Tutorial

Step-by-step Guide

The treble crochet stitch is even taller than the double crochet, resulting in an open and lacy fabric. We often use it in decorative pieces like shawls and doilies.

• Start with the turning chain of 4 or a foundation chain with additional 4 chain stitches.
• Yarn over twice: Wrap the yarn over your hook twice, from back to front.
• Insert your hook into the fifth chain from the hook or in the first stitch in the row (not in the turning chain).
• Yarn over again: Wrap the yarn over your hook.
• Pull the yarn through the chain, so you have four loops on your hook.
• Yarn over once more: Wrap the yarn over your hook.
• Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook, leaving three loops remaining.
• Yarn over again: Wrap the yarn over your hook.
• Pull the yarn through the next two loops on your hook, leaving two loops remaining.
• Yarn over one last time: Wrap the yarn over your hook.
• Pull the yarn through the last two loops on your hook.

You’ve completed a treble crochet stitch and are ready to make a row of treble crochets. Continue these steps across the row to create a treble crochet fabric.

Tips for Perfecting Treble Crochet Technique

Working with tall stitches isn’t hard, but it requires some practice. Remember that mastering this technique will elevate your crochet projects, so here are some tips to help you:

Maintain the Right Tension

What makes pro-crocheters stand out from the crowd is their immaculate tension control, which results in uniform stitches. Practice makes perfect, so don’t ever give up, and keep these hands moving!

Consider adjusting the hook size and yarn weight to mitigate your tendency to crochet too tightly or too loosely.

Keep an Eye on the Turning Chains

Moving between the rows of such tall stitches is impossible without turning chains. Keeping them at the right length is crucial because otherwise the piece will distort at the edges.

Count the Loops and Practice Yarn Over

The process may look simple, but working with treble crochet requires quite a bit of attention. Keep an eye on the yarn overs and the number of loops on your hook to make sure they don’t unravel. When you are working multiple treble stitches in a row, it’s easy to lose track of them, and the result is uneven stitches.

Use the Right Hook Size

Matching your hook size to the yarn weight is another crucial skill for crocheters. If you’re following the pattern, peek at the pattern notes; if not, check the yarn label for recommendations.

Using a hook too small will result in tight and stiff fabric, while a hook too large will create loose and floppy stitches.

Block Your Work

Even the most experienced crocheters cannot help the yarn twisting unevenly while crocheting. We can remove minor tension differences with blocking. It includes washing the finished piece, stretching it out evenly, and pinning it in place to dry. Lacy patterns, such as treble crochet stitch projects, always need blocking to achieve a polished look.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Encountering some mistakes as a beginner is normal, so let’s see how to fix them.

• Uneven Tension – practice keeping the right tension to avoid uneven stitches. Check if your yarn and hook size match the recommendations. Relax your grip if your stitches are too tight, or keep the yarn tighter if your stitches are too loose.
• Miscounting Stitches – keep track of stitches to avoid irregularities and mistakes. Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of the row. Double-count the stitches twice after finishing each row. Make sure you understand what the stitches look like and how they work.
• Incorrect Turning Chains – always make sure you’ve got enough chains in a turning chain and the right number of yarn overs. Pay attention to the placement of stitches.
• Using the Wrong Yarn Weight – if your stitches are too loose and lack definition, your yarn is probably too thin for the hook size. Conversely, bulky yarn may result in dense and stiff fabric. Always match the hook size with the yarn weight.
• Uneven Stitch Height – if your stitches vary in size, you probably missed some yarn overs. Unravel the work to correct the mistake and redo the part you’ve frogged.
• Stitch Definition – don’t choose fuzzy or textured yarn, such as boucle or mohair, to keep the individual stitches distinct.

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FAQ

What is the difference between single, double, and treble crochet stitches?

Single crochet and double crochet stitches are shorter than treble stitches. While single crochet doesn’t require any yarn overs, double crochet requires two. The treble crochet uses as many as three.

Treble crochet stitches create lacy fabric, the most airy out of these three techniques. The fabric differs significantly from single crochet, which is dense and tight.

These techniques also differ in the number of chains in the turning chain.

How to increase and decrease using treble crochet

Increase (2tr in the same stitch)

To increase with treble crochet stitch, simply make two of them in the same stitch.

Decrease (tr2tog)

To decrease with treble crochet, follow these steps:

1. Start by making treble crochet normally, but stop when you have 2 loops on the hook (do not pull through the last time).
2. Now yarn over 3 times and insert the hook in the next stitch.
3. Pull up a loop – you should now have 6 loops on the hook.
4. Work the loops two by two until you have 4.
5. Grab the yarn and pull it through the remaining 4 loops all at once.

You have decreased with treble crochet.

Is there a difference between treble crochet and triple crochet?

No, triple crochet is just a less popular name for treble crochet stitch.

Can I use treble crochet to make a blanket or afghan?

Yes, you can, but it’s not a popular choice. The openwork created with treble stitches makes the blanket hard to use. If the afghan or a blanket will be mostly decorative, then this stitch will be great for creating stunning lacy patterns.

What is the best yarn to use with treble crochet?

You can use any yarn with a corresponding hook to make this stitch. Choose a medium-weight yarn to practice if you’re just starting.

Can I use treble crochet to create a textured or 3D effect?

Sure, this stitch is ideal for adding texture to your projects. Combine them with other types of stitches, and you will create beautiful raised motifs and 3D effects.

Are there any special techniques or tips for working with treble crochet in the round?

We don’t need any special techniques for working in the round, but paying attention to turning chains and stitch placement is important. Use stitch markers for the beginning of each round, and practice increasing and decreasing.

Can I use treble crochet to create lace patterns?

Yes because treble crochet stitches are perfect for lacework with an airy, delicate appearance. Experiment with stitch combinations to see what level of openness and drape you want in your projects!

What are some common variations of treble crochet?

The most popular variations of treble crochet include:

• Front Post Treble Crochet (FPtr) – insert the hook around the post of the stitch, instead of in the top loops. Front post means that you insert the hook from the front to the back.
• Back Post Treble Crochet (BPtr) – Back post means that you insert the hook from the back to the front.
• Cluster Treble Crochet – this method involves working multiple treble crochet stitches into the same stitch or space. Then you finish them off together.
• Double Treble Crochet (dtr) – learn more about it in our article.
• Triple Treble Crochet (ttr) – learn more about it in our article.

Can I use treble crochet to create garments or accessories?

Of course, treble crochet is well-suited for creating garments, especially for hot weather. Tall stitches and open textures offer versatility and style for a wide range of projects. Boho-inspired dresses and shrugs, lacy shawls, and elegant scarves – you can make them all with treble crochet.

Conclusion

Mastering the treble crochet stitch opens a world of creative opportunities for crocheters. With patience and practice, you’ll soon be incorporating this versatile stitch into a wide range of crochet patterns. Remember, the journey of learning a new stitch is as rewarding as the finished creations it produces. So, pick up your hook, select your yarn, and embark on your treble crochet adventure today!