How to Treble Crochet

The treble crochet is a tall stitch that works up quickly. It is a little taller than the double crochet. Treble crochet creates a fabric with nice drape as the long stitches hang loosely. The fabric is also a more open because the tall stitches mean there is more space between the body of the stitches.

Remember, you will never work into the first chain from the crochet hook unless the pattern you are using specifically directs you to do so.

How to Treble Crochet in the Starting Chain

Row 1: First, make a slip knot or twist start and then make the number of chains stated in the pattern (for this sample chain 15 stitches) loosely. Yarn over hook from back to front twice, skip the first four chains and then insert the hook into the fifth chain from the hook.

Note: The number of chains skipped at the beginning varies from pattern to pattern. It is not wrong for patterns to differ from these instructions. The number depends on what the designer feels looks best, so be sure to read the instructions carefully.

Bring the yarn over the crochet hook (from back to front) and draw it through the chain stitch and up onto the working area of the hook; you now have four loops on the hook.

Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw it through the first two loops on the hook. You now have three loops on the hook.

Bring the yarn over the crochet hook again and draw it through the next two loops on the hook. Two loops remain on the hook.

Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw it through both remaining loops on the hook.

You now have completed one treble crochet; one loop remains on the hook.

Continue working a treble crochet in each of the remaining chains across. When you have worked your last chain, count your stitches. In this sample there should be 12 treble crochet, counting the first four chains you skipped at the beginning of the row as a treble crochet.

Turn your work counterclockwise.

How to Treble Crochet in a Stitch

Row 2: You need to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the next row. To raise the yarn, chain four (this is called the turning chain). The four chains in the turning chain count as the first treble crochet on the new row.

Note: Again, designers have their own preferences for how many chains make a good turning chain for a treble crochet. The pattern will tell you how the designer did it. It’s not wrong for the pattern to differ from these instructions.

Skip the first stitch and yarn over twice. Insert the hook under the top two loops of the second stitch, yarn over and pull the yarn through, yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through the next two loops, and yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.

Continue to work a treble crochet in each remaining stitch across the previous row; be sure to work the last treble crochet in the top of the beginning chain from the previous row. Stop and count your treble crochet stitches; there should be 12 stitches.

You can continue practicing by making additional rows, or fasten off.

Fasten Off

After the last stitch, cut the yarn, leaving a 4- to 6-inch end. As you do when you take your crochet hook out for a break, draw the hook straight up, but this time draw the cut yarn end completely through the stitch. Pull the 4- to 6-inch end to close.