Treble Crochet (US) / Double Treble (UK): How to Do It Step by Step
Treble Crochet (tr in US patterns, dtr in UK patterns) is a intermediate-level crochet stitch that makes very tall, open, drapey. Stitchers use it for lace, shawls, filling height quickly. To start, yarn over twice, insert the hook and clear two loops three times. It is usually learned alongside double crochet.
Treble Crochet is a intermediate-level crochet stitch that makes very tall, open, drapey. Patterns abbreviate it as tr in US terms and dtr in UK terms. Makers use it for lace, shawls, filling height quickly.
The table below sums up treble crochet in one place: craft, abbreviation, difficulty and the projects it suits best.
| Craft | Crochet |
|---|---|
| US abbreviation | tr |
| UK abbreviation | dtr |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Look and feel | Very tall, open, drapey |
| Best for | Lace, Shawls, Filling height quickly |
How do you work treble crochet?
- Yarn over twice.
- Insert the hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop. There are 4 loops on the hook.
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. There are 3 loops.
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. There are 2 loops.
- Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops.
Treble Crochet is one of the stitches covered in crochet for beginners. When you are ready to plan a project in it, the crochet chain calculator will size the foundation chain a tall stitch needs.
What are the most common treble crochet mistakes?
- Wrapping only once and making a double crochet
- Loose, uneven posts from not holding tension
Practice on a swatch
Work a small sample before starting a project. It shows how the stitch looks in your chosen yarn or thread, and it is far easier to unpick a swatch than a finished piece.
Which stitches are related to treble crochet?
The 2 stitches below are the closest relatives of treble crochet, with the abbreviation and difficulty of each.
| Stitch | Abbreviation | Difficulty | Look and feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Crochet | dc | Beginner | Tall, open, drapey; works up quickly |
| Shell Stitch | shell | Intermediate | Scalloped fans; lacy and drapey |
What other intermediate crochet stitches should you learn?
- Magic Ring: amigurumi, hats worked top down
- Granny Square Cluster: granny squares, blankets
- Shell Stitch: blanket borders, shawls
- Puff Stitch: blankets, baby items
- Bobble Stitch: textured blankets, picture designs
- Popcorn Stitch: textured blankets, borders
- Front Post Double Crochet: crochet ribbing, cables
- Back Post Double Crochet: ribbed cuffs and brims, cables
- Waffle Stitch: blankets, dishcloths
- Corner to Corner (C2C): graph blankets, pixel art
- Herringbone Half Double Crochet: hats, scarves
Tools for crochet
Clover Amour Crochet Hook Set, 10 sizes
Under $50Soft-grip hooks in the sizes most patterns use, gentle on the hands for long sessions.
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Clover Quick Locking Stitch Marker Set
Under $25Mark the first stitch of a round or row so counts stay right.
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Tulip Etimo Rose Crochet Hook Set
Under $250A premium ergonomic hook set with smooth heads that glide through dense stitches.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What is treble crochet?
Treble Crochet is a crochet stitch that makes very tall, open, drapey. Makers reach for it for lace, shawls, filling height quickly. It is rated intermediate here, so it helps to be comfortable with the basic stitches first and to practice on a swatch before a project.
How do you do treble crochet step by step?
1. Yarn over twice. 2. Insert the hook into the stitch. 3. Yarn over and pull up a loop. There are 4 loops on the hook. 4. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. There are 3 loops. 5. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops. There are 2 loops. 6. Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. Work slowly for the first few repeats, keep your tension even, and check the result against the steps before continuing across a whole row or motif.
What is the abbreviation for treble crochet?
US patterns abbreviate treble crochet as tr. UK patterns write it as dtr, so always check whether a pattern uses US or UK terms before you start, because the same abbreviation can mean a different stitch. Pattern keys list every abbreviation used, usually near the materials list.
What projects use treble crochet?
Treble Crochet suits lace, shawls, filling height quickly. To size a project before you start, the crochet chain calculator will size the foundation chain a tall stitch needs, and crochet for beginners walks through a full project from the beginning.
What are common mistakes with treble crochet?
The most common problems are: wrapping only once and making a double crochet; loose, uneven posts from not holding tension. Most are easy to spot if you pause after a few repeats and compare your work with the steps. Good light helps a great deal, especially with dark yarn or thread.
What stitches are similar to treble crochet?
Stitches closely related to treble crochet include Double Crochet, Shell Stitch. Learning them together makes patterns easier to read, because many designs switch between related stitches to change texture, height or line. Each has its own step-by-step page in the stitch dictionary.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.