Treble Crochet for Beginners (Step-by-Step Guide)

Treble Crochet for Beginners: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve been learning crochet one stitch at a time, you’re making amazing progress. By now, you may already know how to:

Make a foundation chain
Work single crochet
Work half double crochet
Work double crochet

Congratulations! 🎉 You’ve already mastered the stitches that form the backbone of beginner crochet projects.

Now it’s time to take your skills a step further and learn treble crochet — also called triple crochet in some patterns. This is the tallest of the beginner stitches and opens the door to elegant, airy, and drapey crochet designs.

Whether you want to create lacy shawls, decorative blankets, or openwork borders, treble crochet is a versatile stitch every beginner should know.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

What treble crochet is and why it’s useful
How to make it step by step
How it compares to other beginner stitches
Common beginner mistakes and how to fix them
How treble crochet fits into real-world crochet patterns
Practice projects to build confidence

Let’s get started. 🧶

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links in this guide may be affiliate links, meaning a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through them. Only tools and supplies genuinely helpful for crocheters are recommended. Thank you for supporting Twisted Stitches Crochet Studio and helping keep free crochet education available for beginners. 🧶

What Is a Treble Crochet Stitch?

Treble crochet is a tall crochet stitch that produces an open, lightweight fabric. In patterns, it is written as:

tr = treble crochet (modern standard)
tc = triple crochet (older terminology, sometimes still used)

It is taller than:

Single crochet (sc)
Half double crochet (hdc)
Double crochet (dc)

Because it is tall, treble crochet is ideal for:

Lace patterns
Shawls and wraps
Light blankets
Shell and fan patterns
Decorative borders and edgings
Openwork stitch designs

The stitch creates a long, elegant loop that drapes beautifully, which makes it perfect for wearable items like shawls or airy blankets for warm climates.

Why Learn Treble Crochet as a Beginner?

At first glance, treble crochet may look intimidating. It has more yarn overs than the other stitches, which can feel complicated. But once you understand the rhythm and sequence, it becomes just another fun stitch in your crochet toolbox.

Benefits of Learning Treble Crochet

✔ Adds Height and Drape
Treble crochet produces taller stitches, giving your projects a flowing, drapey look.

✔ Opens Up More Patterns
Once you know treble crochet, you can work shell patterns, lace designs, and decorative borders. Many beginner-to-intermediate patterns include tr stitches.

✔ Builds Yarn Control and Coordination
Treble crochet involves more yarn overs, which teaches control and smooth hand movements. These skills transfer to more advanced stitches later.

✔ Completes Your Core Beginner Stitch Set
You now understand the full spectrum of stitch heights: sc → hdc → dc → tr. This knowledge helps you read patterns more confidently.

Crochet Abbreviation You Should Know

In patterns, treble crochet appears as:

tr = treble crochet

You may see instructions like:

“Tr in next stitch”
“2 tr in same stitch”
“Skip 2, tr in next stitch”

For beginners, pattern abbreviations can be intimidating. That’s why I recommend keeping a FREE Crochet Abbreviations Cheat Sheet PDF nearby. It’s a lifesaver when you’re following written instructions.

Tools You Need Before Starting

The supplies needed for treble crochet are simple:

Yarn – Medium-weight yarn (#4) works best for beginners. Light colors make it easier to see stitches.
Crochet Hook – A 5mm (H/8) hook is perfect for practice.
Scissors – To cut your yarn when finishing.
Optional Tools – Stitch markers, yarn needles, and a small notebook or practice workbook.

Before beginning treble crochet, make sure you can make a foundation chain comfortably. If you need a refresher, read: “What Is a Foundation Chain in Crochet? (Step by Step Guide).”

How to Treble Crochet: Step by Step

Treble crochet is similar to double crochet, but with one extra yarn over, which gives it height and drape. Let’s walk through it slowly.

Step 1: Make a Foundation Chain

For practice, chain 15 stitches.

Don’t count the loop on your hook or the slip knot.
The chain will serve as your base row.

Step 2: Yarn Over Twice

Wrap the yarn over your hook two times from back to front.

This is the main difference between double crochet and treble crochet.

Step 3: Insert Hook Into the Fourth Chain from the Hook

Count:

Don’t count the loop on your hook
Skip three chains
Insert your hook into the fourth chain

Skipping these chains gives your first stitch the proper height.

Step 4: Yarn Over and Pull Through the Chain

Wrap the yarn over again, pull through the chain. You should now have four loops on your hook.

Step 5: Yarn Over and Pull Through Two Loops (Three Times)

Yarn over, pull through two loops → three loops remain
Yarn over, pull through two loops → two loops remain
Yarn over, pull through last two loops → one loop remains

🎉 Congratulations! You just made your first treble crochet stitch.

Repeat Across the Row

For the remaining stitches:

Yarn over twice
Insert hook into the next chain
Yarn over, pull through (four loops on hook)
Yarn over, pull through two
Yarn over, pull through two
Yarn over, pull through two

Continue until you reach the end.

Turning Your Work

At the end of the row:

Chain 4 (this acts as the turning chain)
Turn your work

The turning chain provides height for the next row.

Treble Crochet the Second Row

Step 1: Yarn Over Twice and Insert Hook

Wrap the yarn over twice. Insert the hook into the first stitch under both top loops.

Step 2: Yarn Over and Pull Through

Pull through the stitch. You should have four loops on your hook.

Step 3: Pull Through Two Loops Three Times

Yarn over, pull through two → 3 loops remain
Yarn over, pull through two → 2 loops remain
Yarn over, pull through last two → 1 loop remains

This completes one treble crochet stitch.

Step 4: Continue Across the Row

Repeat for each stitch.

Step 5: Treble Crochet Into the Turning Chain

At the end, insert your hook into the top of the chain 4 from the previous row and make one tr stitch. This keeps edges straight and neat.

How Treble Crochet Compares to Other Beginner Stitches

Understanding stitch height is important for reading patterns:

Stitch	Height	Texture	Use
Single Crochet (sc)	Shortest	Tight, dense	Dishcloths, amigurumi
Half Double Crochet (hdc)	Medium	Cozy, slightly airy	Scarves, hats, blankets
Double Crochet (dc)	Tall	Airy	Blankets, shawls, hats
Treble Crochet (tr)	Tallest	Open, drapey	Lace, shawls, borders

Treble crochet is ideal when you want height and a flowing fabric.

Common Beginner Mistakes and Fixes

Even experienced crocheters occasionally make these errors. Here’s how to troubleshoot:

1. Forgetting One of the Yarn Overs

Problem: Stitch looks short or uneven
Fix: Always yarn over twice at the start. Say it aloud: “Yarn over, yarn over.”

2. Losing Track of Loop Counts

Problem: Stitch appears twisted or messy
Fix: Count your loops after pulling through the chain. There should be four loops before completing the stitch.

3. Fabric Gaps Are Too Big

Problem: Fabric looks holey
Fix: Tighten tension slightly, or switch to a smaller hook.

4. Uneven Edges

Problem: Rows slant or change width
Fix: Crochet into the turning chain and count stitches each row. Use a stitch marker for the first stitch.

Beginner Practice Project: Treble Crochet Scarf

Practicing a small project is the fastest way to gain confidence.

Pattern:

Chain 28
Row 1: Treble crochet in 4th chain from hook and across
Chain 4, turn
Rows 2–35: Treble crochet across
Fasten off and weave in ends

This project teaches:

Consistent loop counting
Row turning
Even edges

How Treble Crochet Fits Into Real Patterns

Once you know treble crochet, you’ll see it everywhere:

Lace shawls
Decorative borders on blankets
Shell stitch patterns
Granny square variations
Ripple blankets

Pattern instructions like:

“Tr in next stitch”
“2 tr in same stitch”
“Skip 2, tr in next stitch”

…will suddenly make sense.

Treble crochet gives you access to patterns with more elegance and airiness.

How This Stitch Connects to Your Crochet Skills

Your beginner stitch ladder now looks like this:

Foundation Chain: Base of all projects
Single Crochet (sc): Tight, sturdy stitch
Half Double Crochet (hdc): Cozy, medium stitch
Double Crochet (dc): Tall, airy stitch
Treble Crochet (tr): Tallest, drapey stitch

By mastering these five stitches, you have a full foundation for hundreds of patterns.

Tips for Cleaner Treble Crochet

Use light-colored yarn for visibility
Relax your hands to prevent tight stitches
Practice small swatches to build muscle memory
Use stitch markers to track edges
Don’t rush — speed comes naturally

Signs You’re Improving

Even stitch height
Straight edges
Smooth rows
Less frequent counting needed

You’ll notice a rhythm forming, and your hands will intuitively know what to do.

Crocheting Beyond Stitches

Remember, crochet is more than just loops and chains:

It’s a calming, meditative activity
It’s a creative outlet
It’s a way to make meaningful gifts
It’s a hobby you can grow with over years

Keep Practicing

Use small swatches, scarves, or blankets to build speed and confidence. Tracking your practice in a notebook or project workbook helps you stay consistent.

Final Thoughts: You’re Becoming a Confident Crocheter

Learning treble crochet is a huge milestone.

You now know:

How to start a project
How to build fabric with different stitch heights
How to follow real crochet patterns
How to troubleshoot common mistakes

Even if your stitches aren’t perfect yet, that’s normal. Crochet is about calm progress, not perfection.

Take your time. Breathe. Enjoy the rhythm of yarn and hook. Every row builds skill and confidence.

By mastering foundation chains, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, you now hold the keys to hundreds of beginner crochet projects. 🧶