Foundation Treble Crochet (FTR) Tutorial

What is Foundation Treble Crochet

Knowing how to crochet foundation row is a very handy skill to have in your crochet bag. I showed you before how to crochet the foundation row with single crochet, half double crochet, foundation double treble, and double crochet stitches, today I will show you how to crochet the Foundation Treble Crochet.

The Foundation Treble Crochet is a method of starting a crochet project that allows you to work your foundation chains and your first row of treble stitches at the same time.

This technique is also known as the chainless 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 in one easy step.

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Why start your project with a Foundation Treble row

There are a few reasons why you should start your project with a foundation 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 treble stitches with a foundation single crochet row.

Save Time – Save time by crocheting 2 rows into one and, as a bonus, you save time counting stitches!
Add Stitches As You Go – When making the foundation treble row, you can add or take away extra stitches if you miscalculated the project size or the number of stitches required. It’s easy to miss or miscount the number of stitches when making a regular starting chain, but not when crocheting foundation treble crochet rows.
Easy To See Stitches – Stitches are counted wrong or you an entirely miss one stitch when working with novelty yarns, but not when you start your project with a foundation treble crochet.
Even Tension – Chains and stitches often have a different tension which will cause your edge to curve. This will not happen when using the foundation treble crochet.
Flexible Edge – Foundation treble stitches are quite stretchy and a great option for crocheting clothes or any other project that need a flexible edge.

How to use the Foundation Treble Crochet

You can use this technique on any pattern that requires you to make a foundation chain and then crochet a row of treble stitches, but there are times when you should use the foundation treble method to start and make your projects. Here are a few examples:

Crochet Appliques – This method is great when crocheting appliques or any shapes for that matter. 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 treble stitches are very useful when shaping garment parts as you can add extra stitches on one side of the row and form the shape you need.
Stretchy Edges – great 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

Marriner Yarns Aran
5mm crochet hook

Abbreviations

Pattern written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

ch – chain
tr – treble

Special Stitches

No special stitches were used in this pattern.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Start with a slip knot and ch4 (this is the only chaining you will do when making a foundation treble stitch)

Learn how to crochet the Foundation Treble Row, a chainless way of starting your project and save time. Step by step photo & video tutorial

Step 2: Yo twice and insert your hook in the 4th ch from hook, yo and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 4 loops left on hook).

You have now created the first base chain.

Step 3: Yo and pull through 2 loops on hook (3 loops left on hook), yo and again 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 treble stitch on top of the base chain. This counts as one stitch when counting stitches and is being abbreviated as ftr.

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

Insert your hook under both loops of the chain.

Yo and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yo and pull through the first loop on hook (still 4 loops left on hook).

Now you have a new base chain.

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

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

Another foundation treble stitch is complete.

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

To make the base chain, yo twice 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 (4 loops on hook), yo and pull through just one loop on the hook (still 4 loops on hook).

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

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

And this is how you crochet the Foundation Treble Row. If you found this tutorial helpful, please share and Pin it! Follow me on Pinterest here.
Don’t forget to tag me @craftinghappinesscrochet with your creations, I would love to see them and share them with my fellow crocheters.

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Happy Crocheting!