How to Treble Crochet (tr)

Treble crochet (tr), also called triple crochet, is one step taller than double crochet. It makes an open, airy fabric that grows quickly, and it’s used for lace, shawls, tall shells and the corners of some motifs. Technically it’s just a double crochet with one extra yarn over — and one extra “pull through two.”

US/UK note: this page uses US terms. US treble crochet (tr) is UK double treble (dtr). A UK pattern that says “tr” means the US double crochet, so always check which terms a pattern uses.

You’ll need

• Worsted-weight yarn and a matching hook (for example, 5 mm / H-8)
• A foundation chain of about 20 chains for practice

Step-by-step: how to treble crochet

Row 1 (into the foundation chain)

1. Find the 5th chain from the hook. The four chains you skip act as the turning chain.
2. Yarn over twice — wrap the yarn around the hook two times.
3. Insert your hook into the 5th chain from the hook.
4. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 4 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (3 loops left.)
6. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. (2 loops left.)
7. Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. One loop remains. That’s one tr.
8. Work 1 tr in each chain across.

From a 20-chain foundation you’ll have 16 tr plus the 4 skipped chains, which usually count as the first stitch: 17 stitches.

Tip: Keep the two wraps from step 2 spaced evenly on the shaft and hold them with your index finger as you insert the hook, so they don’t slide off.

Working the next row

1. Chain 4 (counts as first tr in most patterns) and turn.
2. Skip the first stitch — the turning chain replaces it.
3. Work 1 tr in each stitch across.
4. Work the last tr into the top of the turning chain (the 4th chain of the ch-4).
5. Count: still 17 stitches.

If your pattern says the turning chain does not count, work the first tr into the first stitch and don’t work into the turning chain at the end.

Turning chains and heights

Stitch (US)	UK name	Yarn overs before inserting	Pull-throughs of 2	Usual turning chain
Single crochet (sc)	double crochet (dc)	0	1	1
Half double crochet (hdc)	half treble (htr)	1	— (pull through 3)	2
Double crochet (dc)	treble (tr)	1	2	3
Treble crochet (tr)	double treble (dtr)	2	3	4
Double treble (dtr)	triple treble (trtr)	3	4	5

The pattern is consistent: each extra yarn over before inserting adds one more “pull through two” and about one chain of height. Whether a turning chain counts as a stitch varies by pattern.

Common mistakes

• Only one yarn over at the start. That’s a double crochet, and your row will be noticeably shorter.
• Losing a wrap. If one of the two yarn overs slips off, you’ll find only three loops after pulling up. Hold the wraps with your finger.
• Too-tight turning chain. A ch-4 that’s tighter than the stitches pulls the edge in. Chain at a relaxed tension.
• Mixing up US and UK “tr”. The UK tr is shorter (the US dc). Check the pattern’s terminology before you start.
• Loose posts. Tall stitches magnify uneven tension. Pull each step through smoothly and consistently.

Variations

• Double treble (dtr): yarn over three times, then pull through two loops four times.
• tr2tog: start a tr in each of two stitches, stopping each with 2 loops on the hook (3 loops total), then yarn over and pull through all 3.
• Front/back post treble: worked around the post for deeper texture and cables.
• Tall shells: groups of tr in one stitch, common in shawl edgings.

FAQ

Is treble crochet the same as triple crochet?

Yes. In US patterns, treble crochet and triple crochet are the same stitch, abbreviated tr (sometimes trc).

What is a US treble crochet in UK terms?

A UK double treble (dtr). UK patterns use “tr” for the stitch Americans call double crochet.

How many chains should I turn with for treble crochet?

Usually 4. Some patterns use 3 or count the chain differently, so follow the pattern you’re using.

Why does my treble crochet look loose and gappy?

Some openness is normal — it’s a tall stitch. If it’s too loose, try a smaller hook or keep a more even tension on each pull-through.