How to do a Double Treble Crochet Stitch (Dtr) - U.S. Terms
By the end of this blog post, you’ll know exactly how to make a double treble crochet stitch and be ready to start learning how to increase or decrease your stitches.
What is the Double Treble Crochet?
The double treble crochet stitch, also known as the triple treble in UK crochet terms, is the next stitch up from and one step taller than the treble.
You may also find this stitch referred to as the double triple in US terms. It’s the fourth and final basic crochet stitch to learn as a beginner.
Be careful with this stitch, as there is also a double treble crochet stitch in UK terms. Check your pattern, to see which terms you should be following. If you want to check the conversions from US to UK terms, I’ve created an easy chart for convenience.
What Can This Stitch be Used For?
This stitch is great for lacy designs or open weave garments and accessories where you might want to create something lightweight and airy.
It is also a really good way to add texture to your projects by working stitches into the rows below. These long stitches allow plenty of room for front and back post crochet techniques.
What Are the Abbreviations for this Stitch?
In most crochet patterns, you will find a list of abbreviations before the pattern begins, telling you which abbreviations refer to which stitches. However, there is a standard that most patterns follow. In US terms, the double treble is abbreviated with the letters dtr and in UK terms the triple treble is referenced as trtr.
Where to Begin the Double Treble from a Foundation Chain?
Each row of the double treble crochet stitch should begin with a chain 5. The chain 5 is the turning chain used to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the stitch i.e. 5 chains has the same height as the double treble.
Here is a handy tutorial on turning chains for each crochet stitch.
When beginning from a foundation chain, you still need to consider the turning chain before making your first stitch. Start by making the chain as wide as you would like your project to be.
Then chain 5 for your turning chain and then begin working back across the foundation chain, beginning from the 6th chain from the hook, missing the last 5 chains you just made.
How to Begin the Next Row of Double Trebles
Once you have finished your first row of double trebles, turn your work around so that the wrong side is facing you. Then begin the next row by chaining 5 again like before, to bring the yarn up to the correct height for the stitch. Then start your first double treble of this row into the last double treble of the previous row.
How to do a Double Treble Crochet
So, let’s get to it. How do we actually crochet the double treble crochet stitch. It might look difficult but it is actually really easy. Especially if you already know how to do the treble.
I’ve included a photo tutorial below so you can see each step together.
Start by yarning over three times.
Then, insert your hook into the stitch.
Yarn over and pull the yarn back through the stitch. You should have 5 loops on your hook.
Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops. You will have 4 loops left on your hook.
Yarn over again and pull through, leaving 3 loops on the hook.
Yarn over again and pull through the next 2 loops on the hook. You should have 2 loops left.
Yarn over again and pull through the last 2 loops on the hook to finish the stitch.
That’s it! So easy. See the photo tutorial below for a more visual explanation.
Even though the double treble is one of the basic crochet stitches it is classed as a special stitch because it is not used very often. Even so, it is actually quite simple once you’ve completed one stitch.
If you have questions, just pop them in the comments and I’ll be happy to help.
