How to Treble Crochet (tr): Step-by-Step Beginner Tutorial
Welcome to Learn to Crochet!
This lesson is part of my Learn to Crochet email course, where I walk you through the fundamentals of crochet step by step while you make your own market bag.
If you're following along with the email course, this is Week 5. If you found this lesson on your own, welcome! You can work through the lessons at your own pace or join the free email course to have each lesson delivered to your inbox.
Let's get started!
We have one more foundational stitch to learn: the treble crochet (tr).
Treble crochet is the tallest of the five foundational crochet stitches, creating a long, open stitch that works up quickly. It's especially useful for lightweight, drapey fabric, open stitch patterns, and adding height to crochet designs.
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch the video below, then follow along with the written instructions and photos while you practice.
Before We Begin
Treble crochet is very similar to double crochet, but you'll add one extra yarn over at the beginning and one extra pull-through step at the end.
Because of these extra steps, treble crochet is taller and creates a more open fabric.
How to Start a Row of Treble Crochet
Grab your completed foundation chain.
For treble crochet, you'll begin with two yarn overs before inserting your hook.
Yarn over twice.
Skip the first four chains closest to your hook.
Insert your hook into the fifth chain from the hook, working through the top loop and back hump of the foundation chain.
The four skipped chains provide the height needed for the beginning of your first treble crochet row.
How to Crochet a Treble Crochet Stitch
Now you're ready to make your first treble crochet.
Step 1: Yarn Over Twice
Wrap the working yarn over your hook two times from back to front.
Step 2: Insert Your Hook
Insert your hook into the fifth chain from the hook, working through the top loop and back hump of the foundation chain.
Step 3: Yarn Over
Yarn over once.
Step 4: Pull Up a Loop
Pull the yarn back through the chain.
You should now have four loops on your hook.
Step 5: Yarn Over
Yarn over again.
Step 6: Pull Through Two Loops
Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook.
You should now have three loops remaining.
Step 7: Yarn Over Again
Yarn over again.
Step 8: Pull Through Two Loops
Pull the yarn through the next two loops.
You should now have two loops remaining.
Step 9: Yarn Over
Yarn over one more time.
Step 10: Pull Through Two Loops
Pull the yarn through the last two loops.
You now have one loop remaining on your hook, and you've completed your first treble crochet!
Continue Across the Row
Continue making one treble crochet in each remaining chain across the foundation chain.
Remember, every stitch follows the same movements:
Yarn over twice
Insert your hook
Yarn over
Pull up a loop
Yarn over
Pull through two loops
Yarn over
Pull through two loops
Yarn over
Pull through two loops
When you reach the end of the row, you've completed your first row of treble crochet.
Turning Your Work
When you reach the end of the row, you'll need to bring your yarn up to the height of the next row.
For treble crochet, you'll usually:
Chain 4
This is your turning chain.
A turning chain acts like a little stepping stool, bringing your yarn up to the height of the next row. Because treble crochet is taller than double crochet, it needs a taller turning chain.
Now turn your work like you're turning the page of a book.
Important: The chain-4 usually counts as a stitch, but always check pattern instructions before counting your turning chain as a stitch.
Working the Second Row
Now you're no longer working into the foundation chain. You'll work into the treble crochet stitches you just made.
Look along the top of your work. You'll see a row of V-shaped stitches.
Unless your pattern tells you otherwise, insert your hook under both loops of the V.
If your pattern says the turning chain counts as a stitch, your first actual treble crochet will be worked into the second stitch,
and your final stitch will usually be worked into the top of the turning chain from the previous row.
How to Count Treble Crochet Stitches
Count each V-shaped stitch along the top of your row.
If your pattern says the turning chain counts as a stitch, include it in your stitch count. If it doesn't, count only the actual treble crochet stitches.
It can also be helpful to count the vertical stitch posts when you're having trouble seeing the V-shaped stitches. Each completed treble crochet has one vertical post.
Don't count the loop on your hook.
My Edges Keep Getting Wider or Narrower
If your edges aren't staying straight, you're probably adding or skipping a stitch at the beginning or end of the row.
With taller stitches like treble crochet, the turning chain can make the beginning and end of the row especially easy to misread. Whether it counts as a stitch depends on your pattern, so always check before you start the row.
While you're learning, use stitch markers to clearly identify your first and last stitch, then count your stitches at the end of every row.
Keeping the same stitch count from row to row is the easiest way to keep your edges straight.
Common Beginner Mistakes
I Forgot to Yarn Over Twice
Treble crochet starts with two yarn overs before you insert your hook.
A helpful rhythm is:
Yarn over twice → insert → yarn over → pull up.
I Pulled Through All the Loops at Once
Treble crochet is worked in stages.
After pulling up your first loop, you'll repeatedly:
Yarn over → pull through two loops
You'll do this three times until only one loop remains on your hook.
My Treble Crochet Looks Too Short
Check that you're completing all three pull-through steps.
A finished treble crochet should be noticeably taller than a double crochet.
My Stitch Count Doesn't Match
Count your stitches at the end of every row and check whether your pattern counts the turning chain as a stitch.
If it does, remember to include it in your total and work your final stitch into the top of that turning chain.
Treble Crochet Cheat Sheet
Abbreviation: tr
Turning Chain: Chain 4
Starting Foundation Chain to Work Into: Fifth chain from the hook
Fabric Characteristics: Very tall, loose, open, and drapey
Common Uses: Shawls, scarves, garments, blankets, lace, and decorative stitch patterns.
Continue Learning
If you're learning crochet on your own, continue with the next lesson in the Learn to Crochet series: How to Slip Stitch.
Taking the email course? Your next lesson and practice assignment will be in your next email.