How to Treble Crochet (Triple Crochet): A Step-by-Step Guide
by Crochets Studio — Written by the Crochets.ca team, a group of Canadian crocheters who picked up most of what they know from unraveling their own mistakes.
A treble crochet (tr) is worked by yarning over twice, then pulling through your loops two at a time until one remains. It's taller and more open than double crochet, so your project grows fast and the fabric gets extra drape. This guide walks through the motion step by step, plus where treble crochet works best.
What Is a Treble Crochet?
The treble crochet (tr) — also called triple crochet — is the tallest stitch in the standard crochet toolkit, one full "wrap" taller than double crochet. That extra height comes from yarning over your hook twice before you even touch the stitch you're working into. The result is a stitch that covers ground fast and leaves a lot of open space in the fabric, giving your work drape, breathability, and a lacy look without any fancy stitch combinations.
If you've already got single crochet and double crochet under your belt, treble crochet is a natural next step. The motion is the same "yarn over, pull through two loops" rhythm you already know, it's just repeated one extra time.
Materials You'll Need
- A medium (worsted, category 4) weight yarn in a light color, so you can easily see each loop while you practice
- A 5.5mm (H/8) crochet hook, or whatever size is recommended on your yarn label
- Scissors
- A tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Optional: stitch markers to keep track of your first and last stitch in a row
How to Work a Treble Crochet
Start with a foundation chain of any length, plus 4 extra chains for your turning chain. For practice, try chaining 20.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Yarn over twice, then insert your hook into the 5th chain from the hook (this accounts for the turning chain).
- Yarn over once more and pull up a loop through the stitch. You should now have 4 loops sitting on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. You'll have 3 loops left.
- Yarn over and pull through the next 2 loops. You'll have 2 loops left.
- Yarn over one last time and pull through the final 2 loops. One loop remains on your hook, and your treble crochet is complete.
- Insert your hook into the next chain or stitch and repeat steps 1 through 5 across the row.
- At the end of the row, chain 4 to turn, skip the first stitch, and begin your next row of treble crochet in the second stitch.
A Quick Way to Check Your Work
Each treble crochet should show three visible "bars" stacked along its post, since you're pulling through pairs of loops three separate times. If you're only seeing two bars, you likely skipped a yarn over somewhere, usually the very first one before inserting your hook.
Understanding the Turning Chain
Because treble crochet is so tall, its turning chain is longer than what you'd use for single or double crochet: 4 chains instead of 1 or 3. That turning chain stands in for your first stitch of the new row, which is why you skip the first actual stitch before working your next treble crochet. Skipping this step is one of the most common reasons a treble crochet project starts creeping wider or narrower than intended, so it's worth double-checking on your first few rows.
When to Use Treble Crochet
Treble crochet shines anywhere you want fast coverage and an open, breathable fabric:
- Lacy shawls and wraps that need drape rather than structure
- Summer tops and tanks where airflow matters
- Openwork blankets and throws you want to finish quickly
- Filet crochet and mesh patterns, where treble stitches form the "posts" around chain spaces
Because each stitch is tall, small differences in tension show up more than they do in shorter stitches like single or half double crochet. Keep your yarn overs loose and consistent, and resist the urge to cinch your loops tight as you pull through. A relaxed, even tension keeps your treble crochet fabric looking smooth instead of wavy.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: My stitches lean or twist
Cause: Uneven tension on your yarn overs, or twisting your hook as you pull through loops.
Fix: Keep your hook facing the same direction throughout each stitch, and pull through loops at a consistent, relaxed tension rather than yanking tight.
Problem: My rows are getting wider or narrower
Cause: Working an extra stitch into the turning chain, or forgetting to skip the first stitch after turning.
Fix: Treat your 4-chain turning chain as your first stitch, and always skip the actual first stitch of the row before working your next treble crochet.
Problem: My fabric looks holey or uneven
Cause: This is actually pretty normal for treble crochet, which is naturally more open than shorter stitches.
Fix: If you want denser fabric, try a smaller hook or switch to double crochet instead. If the openness is intentional, like in a summer top, it's not a mistake, it's the stitch doing its job.
Ready for Taller Stitches?
Once treble crochet feels comfortable, stitches like double treble crochet (yarn over three times before inserting your hook) will feel like a small, familiar step up rather than a big leap. The pattern repeats each time: more initial yarn overs, then the same "pull through two loops" rhythm until one loop remains.
Try It Yourself
The fastest way to get comfortable with treble crochet is to practice it on a real swatch while following along, one stitch at a time, until the rhythm feels automatic.