Learn how to half treble and treble stitch with these step-by-step instructions from Nicki Trench, so you'll be ready to make our crochet project for the weekend.
Half treble (htr)
Half trebles are stitches that are the next height up to a double crochet stitch. The yarn is wrapped round the hook first before going into the stitch (or space) and then once pulled through the stitch (or space) there will be three loops on the hook. The middle loop is from the strand that was wrapped round the hook. Before you attempt to pull the yarn through all three stitches, make sure the loops sit straight and loosely on the hook so that you can pull another strand through to complete the stitch.
1. Make your foundation chain as usual to start. Before inserting the hook into the work, wrap the yarn round the hook. Then with the yarn wrapped round the hook, insert the hook through the 3rd chain from the hook. Work ‘yarn round hook’ again (as shown by the arrow).
2. Pull the yarn through the chain. You now have three loops on the hook. Yarn round hook again and pull it through all three loops on the hook.
3. You will be left with one loop on the hook. Continue working one half treble into each chain to the end of the foundation chain.
4. Then turn the work to begin the next row. Make two chains. Work one half treble into each half treble stitch in the row below to the end of the row.
5. For all subsequent rows, repeat Step 4.
Treble (tr)
A treble is a very common stitch; it gives a more open fabric than a double crochet or a half treble, which both give a denser fabric, and it’s a one step taller stitch than a half treble. As with the half treble, the yarn is wrapped round the hook first before going into the stitch (or space) and then once pulled through the stitch to have three loops on the hook. The middle loop is from the strand that was wrapped round the hook. Before you attempt to pull the yarn through the next two stitches on the hook, make sure the loops sit straight and loosely on the hook so that you can pull another strand through the loops on the hook.
1. Before inserting the hook into the work, wrap the yarn round the hook. Then with the yarn wrapped round the hook, insert the hook through the 4th chain from the hook. Work ‘yarn round hook’ again (as shown by the arrow).
2. Pull the yarn through the chain. You now have three loops on the hook. Yarn round hook again and pull it through the first two loops on the hook.
3. You now have two loops on the hook. Yarn round hook again and pull it through the two remaining loops.
4. You will be left with one loop on the hook. Continue working one treble into each chain to the end of the foundation chain.
5. Then turn the work to begin the next row. Make three chains. Work one treble into each treble stitch in the row below to the end of the row.
6. For all subsequent rows, repeat Step 5.
For more crocheting techniques, check out our video tutorials with Laura Strutt.
Now you've mastered the stitches, why not check out some crochet projects from Nicki Trench's book, Crocheted Scarves and Cowls.