Crochet Foundation Double Treble (FDTR) Tutorial

What is Foundation Double Treble Row

A very handy technique to have in your crochet repertoire is the Foundation Double Treble. The Foundation Double Treble is a method of starting a crochet project that allows you to work your foundation chains and your first row of double treble stitches at the same time.

I also demonstrated how to crochet foundation row with single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches in the past, and today I will teach you how to crochet the Foundation Double Treble Crochet.

This technique is also known as the chainless double treble foundation because you are not required to make a starting chain at the beginning of your project, instead, you create the base chain and the treble stitch on top of it at the same time.

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Why start your project with a Foundation Double Treble row

There are a few reasons why you should start your project with a foundation double treble row, even if the pattern you are following doesn’t advise you to. You can simply replace the foundation chain and first row of double treble stitches with a foundation double treble row. Here is why:

Even Tension – Starting chains often have a different tension than the regular stitches and this will cause your edge to curve. This will not happen when using the foundation sc.
Save Time – working the starting chain and the first row of double treble stitches in one go will save you time and make the stitch counting a breeze.
Flexible Edge – Foundation double treble stitches have some stretch to them and are a great option for crocheting clothes or any other project that needs a flexible edge.
Easy To See Stitches – When working with novelty yarns, is easy to miss a stitch, but not when you start your project with a foundation double treble row.
Add Stitches As You Go – it’s easy to miss or miscount the number of stitches when making a regular starting chain. With foundation double treble rows, you can add or take away extra stitches if you miscalculated the project size or the number of stitches required.

How to use the Foundation Double Treble Stitches

You can use this method on any pattern that requires you to make a foundation chain and then a row of double treble stitches, it’s a time saver and hassle-free when it comes to counting stitches.

But there are times when you should use the foundation double treble technique to start and shape your projects, here are a few examples:

Crochet Appliques – This method is great when crocheting appliques or any shapes for that matter when you need extra double treble stitches. You can add stitches on both sides of the row and create those unusual shapes to form your shape.
Shaping Garments – in the same way, the foundation double treble is very useful when shaping garment parts as you can crochet stitches on both sides of the row or add extra stitches on one side of the row as you wish.
Stretchy Edges – very handy for garments that need stretchy edges.

Video Tutorials

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How To Crochet The Foundation Single Crochet

How To Crochet The Foundation Half Double Crochet

How To Crochet The Foundation Double Crochet

Pattern Notes

Pattern Characteristics

solid
techniques
basic stitches

Pattern Repeat

crochet as you go

Supplies Used

Deramores Studio Aran
5mm crochet hook

Abbreviations

This tutorial is written in US Terms.

st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

ch – chain
dtr – double treble

Special Stitches

No special stitches were used in this pattern.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Start with a slip knot and ch5 (this is the only chaining you will do when making a foundation treble stitch)

How to crochet the Foundation Double Treble Row, a chainless way of starting your project and save time. Step by step photo tutorial

Step 2: Yo 3 times and insert your hook in the 5th ch from hook, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 5 loops left on hook).

You have now created the first base chain.

Step 3: Yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (4 loops left on hook), yo and again pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left on hook), yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops left on hook), finally, yo and pull through the 2 loops left on hook.

You have now created the double treble stitch on top of the base chain.

This counts as one stitch when counting stitches and is being abbreviated as fdtr.

Step 4: Let’s create another base chain. Yo 3 times and turn your work with the bottom up to expose the first base chain.

Insert your hook under both loops of the base chain.

Yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 5 loops left on hook).

Now you have a new base chain.

Step 5: Next, we will make the double treble stitch on top of that base chain.

Yo and pull through the first 2 loops on hook (4 loops left on hook), yo and again pull through the first 2 loops on the hook (3 loops left on hook), yo and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook (2 loops left on the hook), finally, yo and pull through the 2 remaining loops on hook.

Another foundation double treble stitch is complete.

Step 6: Let’s make another foundation double treble stitch (fdtr) from start to end.

To make the base chain, yo 3 times and turn your work upside down to expose the previous base chains, insert your hook under the last chain, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yo and pull through just one loop on the hook (still 5 loops on hook).

To make the dtr on top, yo and pull through 2 loops on the hook (4 loops left on hook), yo and pull through 2 loops on the hook again (3 loops left on hook), yo pull through the first 2 loops on hook (2 loops left on hook), yo and finally pull through the 2 remaining loops on hook.

Repeat step 6 until you have the required length or number of stitches.

Pattern Swatch

BLOG-PHOTO-1-Crochet-Foundation-Double-Treble-Crafting-Happiness — foundation double treble (fdtr) row

BLOG PHOTO 2 - Crochet Foundation Double Treble Crafting Happiness — foundation double treble stitches used to shape the crochet project

And this is how you crochet the Foundation Double Treble Row. If you found this tutorial helpful, please share and Pin it! Follow me on Pinterest here.

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The photographs in this tutorial are subject to copyright and are the property of Crafting Happiness, don’t use them to advertise your own creations. You may use photos from this post only if you directly link back to this tutorial.

Happy Crocheting!