Loopy PandaHow to Treble Crochet
To treble crochet (tr), also called triple crochet, yarn over twice, insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, so you have 4 loops on the hook. Then yarn over and pull through 2 loops, three times, until one loop remains. It is about as tall as 4 chains. In UK terms it is called double treble (dtr), and Chinese patterns write it as E (长长针).
What you need
- Medium (worsted) yarn in a light colour
- Crochet hook in the size on the yarn label, usually 5.0 mm (H-8) for worsted
Step by step
- Make a foundation chainTo practise, chain 14.
- Yarn over twiceBefore inserting the hook, wrap the yarn over the hook two times. You have 3 loops on the hook.
- Insert the hookInsert the hook into the 5th chain from the hook. On later rows, insert it under both top loops of the next stitch.
- Pull up a loopYarn over and pull the yarn back through the stitch. You now have 4 loops on the hook.
- Pull through 2Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. 3 loops remain.
- Pull through 2 againYarn over and pull through the next 2 loops. 2 loops remain.
- Pull through the last 2Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops. One loop remains. That is one treble crochet.
- Work across the rowWork 1 treble crochet in each chain to the end. The 4 skipped chains usually count as the first stitch, so with 14 chains you have 11 stitches.
- TurnChain 4 and turn. In most traditional patterns the chain 4 counts as the first treble crochet, so skip the first stitch and work the next tr into the second stitch. Follow your pattern's note.
Single, half double, double and treble crochet compared
The four basic stitches differ only in how many times you yarn over before inserting the hook and how you close them. Each extra yarn over makes the stitch about one chain taller.
| Stitch (US) | UK name | Chinese | Yarn overs before inserting | Loops after pulling up | Then | Turning chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) | 短针 X | 0 | 2 | Pull through 2 | ch 1 |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) | 中长针 T | 1 | 3 | Pull through all 3 at once | ch 2 |
| Double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) | 长针 F | 1 | 3 | Pull through 2, twice | ch 3 |
| Treble crochet (tr) | double treble (dtr) | 长长针 E | 2 | 4 | Pull through 2, three times | ch 4 |
How treble crochet appears in patterns
| Pattern style | What you will see | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| US written | tr (sometimes trc) | Treble or triple crochet |
| UK written | dtr | Double treble, the same stitch. A UK tr is a US double crochet. |
| Chinese written | E | 长长针; 3E = 3 treble crochet |
| Chart | A T with two diagonal slashes | See the treble crochet symbol |
Common mistakes
- Only one yarn over at the start. That makes a double crochet. A treble needs two wraps on the hook before you insert it.
- Pulling through 3 or 4 loops at once. Always pull through 2 loops at a time, three times in total.
- The wraps slip off the hook. Hold them down with your index finger while you insert the hook, and keep them on the wide part of the hook.
- Stitches of different heights. Pull the first loop up to the height of the wraps before you start pulling through, and do it the same way every time.
- Edges drifting. Decide whether the chain 4 counts as a stitch, then do the same on every row.
Where treble crochet is used
Treble crochet makes tall, open fabric quickly, so it appears in lace, shell and fan stitches, flower petals and the tall corners of some motifs. In amigurumi it is rare: you will mostly meet it in frills, petals, manes and hair, where a few tall stitches make a quick curl or spike.
Treble Crochet Symbol
Treble (or triple) crochet (tr) is drawn as a T with two diagonal slashes, one for each of its two starting yarn-overs. In Chinese it is 长长针, written “E”; in UK patterns it is double treble (dtr).
| US name and abbreviation | Treble Crochet (tr) |
|---|---|
| UK name and abbreviation | Double treble (dtr) |
| Chinese name | 长长针 |
| Chinese written shorthand | E |
| Japanese name | 長々編み |
How many yarn-overs does treble crochet use?
Two yarn-overs before inserting the hook, then you pull through two loops at a time, three times.
Chart symbols on this page
Frequently asked questions
What is treble crochet in UK terms?
Double treble (dtr). A UK treble (tr) is the US double crochet, so check whether a pattern uses US or UK terms before you start.
Is triple crochet the same as treble crochet?
Yes. Triple crochet and treble crochet are two US names for the same stitch, abbreviated tr or trc.
What does E mean in a Chinese crochet pattern?
E is 长长针, the treble crochet. Its chart symbol is a T with two slashes, one for each starting yarn over.
How tall is a treble crochet?
About the height of 4 chains, which is why rows of treble crochet usually start with a turning chain of 4.
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