The foundation treble crochet stitch (FTR) is a great way to start any crochet project, especially if you’re working with treble crochet stitches.
The FTR creates a chain stitch and a treble crochet in the same stitch, which is why it is often referred to as the chainless foundation treble crochet or the treble crochet foundation chain.
The steps for this stitch are quite simple, and once you understand the basics, it is easy to crochet. So let’s dive into this foundation treble crochet tutorial.
Find both step by step photos, full video tutorial & written instructions below.
What is the Foundation Treble Crochet
The foundation treble crochet is one of the foundation crochet stitches.
Crocheters often come across it when starting crochet projects, where the chain row and treble crochet stitches are worked at the same time as the first row of stitches.
This is a great way to get a more stretchy foundation row, compared to crocheting the foundation chains first, then working the treble crochet row separately.
The stretchy edge you get is great in many instances, such as when crocheting the neckline on raglan garments and yoke sweaters, tops and cardigans. But it is also great for anything where you want a stretchy fabric.
Another bonus is the fact that it can make the edge more even and easier to block for projects like blankets, shawls and crochet scarf patterns.
The steps of the Foundation Treble Crochet Stitch:
- Chain 5.
- Yarn over, 2 times. Insert hook into 5th chain from hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops*, then repeat from *to* 2 times.
- Yarn over, 2 times. Insert hook into previous chain you made*, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops*, then repeat from *to*2 times.
- Repeat step 3 until you’ve made enough stitches**.
*It should look like you go through a resemblance of a normal stitch, with 2 strands of yarn.
*5th chain in step 1 makes 1 stitch, step 2 makes 1 stitch & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 stitch.
Materials Needed
To crochet the foundation treble crochet you can use any crochet hook size and yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested.
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Foundation Treble Crochet Abbreviations
The foundation treble crochet is abbreviated FTR in crochet patterns.
Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.
Foundation Treble Crochet Chart Symbol
The foundation treble crochet chart symbol is related to the treble crochet (tr) and chain (ch) stitch chart symbols.
It is a “T” with two lines across it representing the 2 yarn overs you do when you crochet a treble crochet, but also has a oval circle representing the chain stitch.
It will be turned in the direction it will lay in your finished crochet work.
Photo showing the FTR crochet stitch chart symbol.
Foundation Treble Crochet Step By Step Photo Tutorial
Setup stitches:
1. Make a Slip Knot
The first step of the FTR stitch is to make a slip knot.
2. Chain 5
Chain 5 stitches.
The last 4 chains counts as the turning chain or the first treble crochet stitch (or first triple crochet stitch). The fifth chain you should work into when crocheting the next row after you finish the row of foundation stitches.
Crocheting the first foundation treble crochet
3. Yarn Over 2 Times
Yarn over 2 times from back to front, the same way you would on a regular treble crochet.
4. Insert Hook and Pull up a loop
Insert crochet hook in first chain and pull up a loop.
5. Yarn over and pull through first loop
Yarn over (yo) and pull through the first loop on the crochet hook. This is the chain part of the stitch.
6. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. This is the treble crochet part of the stitch.
7. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. This is the treble crochet part of the stitch.
8. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. This is the treble crochet part of the stitch. You have now finished the first stitch.
Crocheting the following foundation treble crochet stitches
9. Yarn over 2 Times
Yarn over 2 times from back to front, the same way you would on a regular treble crochet.
10. Identify Chain
The next step is to identify where you should insert your crochet hook. In the middle of the picture you can see two loops looking like a “normal” stitch. This is the “chain” you should insert the crochet hook into on next step.
11. Insert hook in “chain”
After identifying the chain, insert the crochet hook.
12. Pull up a loop
Pull up a loop.
13. Yarn over and pull through first loop
Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the crochet hook. This is the chain part of the stitch.
14. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. This is the treble crochet part of the stitch.
15. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the crochet hook. This is the treble crochet part of the stitch.
16. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops on the crochet hook, you have now finished the second FTR. You are now ready to crochet the next st.
Repeat step 9-16 to crochet more foundation treble crochet stitches.
Foundation Treble Crochet Video Tutorial
View the video here or click to view it on my YouTube channel.
Foundation Treble Crochet Name FAQ
How do you replace chains with foundation treble crochet?
To replace regular chains with the foundation treble crochet on a project where the first row is treble crochet stitches, you start the crochet project with four less foundation treble crochet than the number of chains the pattern calls for as the first row. Then you continue the crochet pattern as usual on the second row.
What is the foundation treble crochet called in UK crochet terms?
The foundation treble crochet in US terminology is the same as the foundation double treble crochet in UK terms.
Can you also crochet foundation stitches for the single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc) and double crochet (dc)?
Yes, you can crochet foundation stitches for all the basic crochet stitches.
Is the Foundation Treble Crochet Difficult?
Some find the foundation treble crochet difficult and they may need to try it, frogging (rip it out), and try again a few times before they get it. But everyone love the foundation treble crochet once they get the hang of it and find it to be an easy stitch.
Foundation Crochet Stitches – Step-By-Step Tutorials
- Foundation Single Crochet Stitch (FSC)
- Foundation Half Double Crochet Stitch (FHDC)
- Foundation Double Crochet Stitch (FDC)
- Foundation Treble Crochet Stitch (FTR) – this tutorial
I hope you enjoyed learning how to crochet the first row of treble stitches together with the chains with the foundation treble crochet.
