Treble Crochet (tr): How to Do the Treble or Triple Stitch

To make a treble crochet (tr), yarn over twice, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through 2 loops three times until 1 loop remains on your hook. Also called the triple crochet, the treble stitch is one step taller than a double crochet and creates a tall, airy fabric with generous drape that works up quickly.

US vs. UK terminology note: In US crochet patterns, tr stands for treble crochet (worked with two initial yarn-overs) and corresponds to a double treble (dtr) in UK patterns. If you are following a UK pattern that calls for a "treble crochet (tr)", that stitch uses only one initial yarn-over—see our double crochet tutorial or our complete UK treble vs US treble conversion guide.

Treble Crochet Quick Reference

How to Work a Treble Crochet Stitch Step by Step

Whether you are working into a foundation chain or across a row of stitches, every US treble crochet follows the same three-stage pull-through rhythm:

1. Yarn over twice (yo × 2): Wrap the working yarn from back to front over your hook two times. Including the active loop already on your hook, you now have 3 loops (wraps) on your hook.
2. Insert the hook: Push the tip of your hook into the target chain or under both top loops (V) of the target stitch. (If you are starting Row 1 on a bare foundation chain, insert your hook into the 5th chain from the hook.)
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop: Wrap the yarn over your hook and draw it through the stitch. You now have 4 loops on your hook.

1. First pull-through (4 → 3 loops): Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. You have 3 loops remaining on the hook.
2. Second pull-through (3 → 2 loops): Yarn over and pull through the next 2 loops on your hook. You have 2 loops remaining on the hook.
3. Third pull-through (2 → 1 loop): Yarn over a final time and pull through the last 2 loops on your hook. One active loop remains on your hook, and your first tall treble crochet post is complete.

Worked Example: A 3-Row Treble Crochet Swatch

Practicing a small 11-stitch swatch is the fastest way to master the 5th-chain start and verify that your edges stay straight. In standard treble crochet patterns, the 4 skipped chains at the start of Row 1 and the ch 4 turning chain on subsequent rows count as the first treble crochet stitch of the row.

Foundation Chain (Ch 14 for 11 tr)

• Make a slip knot and work 14 chains (ch 14).
• Why 14 chains produce 11 stitches: You will work your first treble into the 5th chain from the hook. That leaves 14 − 4 = 10 chains to work into, plus the 4 skipped chains that stand in as your first stitch: 1 (skipped 4-ch post) + 10 worked tr = 11 tr total.

Row 1 (11 tr)

1. Yarn over twice and insert your hook into the 5th chain from the hook (never count the loop on your hook).
2. Complete 1 tr in that 5th chain ([yo, pull through 2] × 3). Because the 4 skipped chains count as stitch #1, you now have 2 stitches standing side by side.
3. Work 1 tr into each of the remaining 9 chains across the foundation cord.
4. Count your stitches: 1 (skipped 4-ch post at the right edge) + 1 (tr in 5th ch) + 9 (tr across remaining chains) = 11 tr.

Row 2 (11 tr)

1. Chain 4 and turn (ch 4, turn): This ch 4 turning chain counts as the first tr of Row 2, sitting directly above the first stitch of the row.
2. Skip the first stitch: Because the ch 4 already occupies the first stitch position, do not work into the base of the ch 4. Instead, yarn over twice and insert your hook under both top loops of the second stitch of the row.
3. Work across: Work 1 tr into the second stitch and into each stitch across (9 tr worked into full stitches, bringing your count to 1 + 9 = 10 stitches).
4. Work the 11th stitch into the turning chain: Work your final (11th) tr into the 4th chain (the top chain) of the previous row's turning chain. Tip: place a locking stitch marker into the 4th chain of every ch 4 turning chain as soon as you make it so you never miss the final edge stitch.

Row 3 (11 tr)

• Repeat Row 2: Ch 4, turn (counts as first tr), skip the first stitch, work 1 tr into each of the next 9 stitches, and work 1 tr into the top of the ch-4 turning chain (11 tr total).

The Turning Chain in Treble Crochet (And How to Stop Edge Gaps)

Because a treble crochet is roughly three times as tall as a single crochet, it needs a 4-chain turning chain (ch 4) to reach the height of the new row. However, a 4-chain cord is skinnier than a full treble post, which often leaves a visible gap between the turning chain and the second stitch of the row.

Here are the three ways patterns and experienced crocheters handle the treble turning chain:

US Treble vs. UK Treble: Complete Tall-Stitch Comparison

Because the word "treble" exists in both US and UK crochet terminology with different meanings, it is one of the most common sources of pattern mistakes. In the UK system, stitch names count the total number of loops on the hook (or total pull-throughs), whereas the US system counts the number of initial yarn-overs (double = 1 wrap + active loop; treble = 2 wraps; double treble = 3 wraps).

Use this ladder to compare US treble crochet against shorter and taller stitches:

If you want a stitch that is slightly taller and more flexible than a double crochet without the open gaps of a full treble crochet, try the extended double crochet (edc), which uses one initial yarn-over and adds a single extra chain pull-through at the base of the stitch. For a full printable chart covering every stitch term, visit our guide on UK treble vs US treble.

Double Treble (dtr) and Taller Stitches

Once you understand the rhythm of the treble crochet (yo × 2, then [yo, pull through 2] × 3), you already know how to work every taller crochet stitch. Each step up the height ladder simply adds one more initial yarn-over before you insert your hook and one more yo, pull through 2 to finish the post:

How to Work a Double Treble Crochet (dtr, UK ttr)

1. Yarn over 3 times (yo × 3): You have 4 loops (wraps) on your hook before inserting.
2. Insert hook into the stitch (or into the 6th chain from the hook on a foundation chain), yarn over, and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
3. [Yarn over, pull through 2 loops] × 4: Your loop count drops 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1. Use a ch 5 turning chain.

How to Work a Triple Treble Crochet (ttr, UK quad tr)

1. Yarn over 4 times (yo × 4): You have 5 loops (wraps) on your hook before inserting.
2. Insert hook into the stitch (or into the 7th chain from the hook on a foundation chain), yarn over, and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook).
3. [Yarn over, pull through 2 loops] × 5: Your loop count drops 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1. Use a ch 6 turning chain.

Increasing and Decreasing in Treble Crochet

Shaping shawls, sleeves, and openwork ripples requires increasing (tr inc) and decreasing (tr2tog) in treble crochet without distorting the tall posts.

How to Increase in Treble Crochet (tr inc)

To add 1 stitch, work 2 complete treble crochet stitches into the same base stitch:

1. Work 1 normal tr into the target stitch ([yo, pull through 2] × 3).
2. Yarn over twice, insert your hook into the exact same base stitch, and work a second complete tr. The two tall posts fan out in a V from a single base stitch (1 stitch → 2 stitches).

How to Decrease: Treble Crochet Two Together (tr2tog)

To merge 2 adjacent stitches into 1 top stitch, work each treble post until one pull-through remains, then close them together:

1. Work the first partial treble: Yarn over twice, insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). [Yarn over, pull through 2 loops] × 2. Stop here—you have 2 loops on your hook (the active loop plus the unfinished first post).
2. Work the second partial treble: Leaving those 2 loops on your hook, yarn over twice, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). [Yarn over, pull through 2 loops] × 2. You now have 3 loops on your hook (the initial loop plus two unfinished treble posts).
3. Close the decrease: Yarn over once and pull through all 3 loops on your hook. Two tall treble posts now converge into a single top V (2 stitches → 1 stitch).

Troubleshooting Loose Loops and Leaning Posts

The #1 frustration crocheters report with treble crochet is a loose, saggy loop sticking out of the back or top of the stitch. Here is why it happens and how to fix it immediately:

• Hold the two wraps with your index finger as you insert the hook: When you yarn over twice and tip the hook downward to enter the stitch below, the second wrap naturally slides toward the wider handle or loosens. Rest your right (hook-hand) index finger gently over both wraps on the hook shaft as you insert the hook into the stitch so the wraps cannot uncoil.
• Snug the second wrap before the third pull-through: The loose loop on the back of a treble stitch is almost always the first yarn-over you placed on the hook (which becomes the upper crossbar of the post). After your second yo, pull through 2 (when 2 loops remain on the hook), pause for a fraction of a second and keep mild tension on your working yarn before pulling through the final 2 loops.
• Keep your pull-throughs vertical, not stretched sideways: Pulling the active loop horizontally toward the left (for right-handed crocheters) elongates the top V and makes the post lean. Draw each yo, pull through 2 straight upward to the natural height of the previous stitch.

Where to Use Treble Crochet

Because treble crochet posts are tall and separated by open spaces, a solid treble fabric is much less dense than single or half double crochet. It excels in projects that need height, movement, or dramatic texture:

• Lacy shawls, summer wraps, and market bags: Tall posts create breathable openwork that drapes softly without feeling heavy or stiff.
• Cables and front/back post stitches (fptr / bptr): When you reach across two rows to cross stitches for crochet cables or waffle/basketweave textures, a regular double crochet is often too short and pulls the fabric tight; the extra height of a front post treble crochet (fptr) allows cables to cross smoothly without puckering.
• Granny square corners and flower petals: Many motifs use treble stitches in the corners to turn a circular center into a sharp square, or combine sc, hdc, dc, and tr in the same space to form rounded flower petals and shells.
• Fast-growing blankets andstriped throws: Combined in alternating rows with shorter stitches, treble stitches add height and visual rhythm while covering vertical inches quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions