Rewards
Linked treble crochet (ltc) is a treble with the gaps closed. A regular treble starts with two yarn overs, which leave space between the posts. A linked treble replaces them with loops pulled up from the side of the previous stitch, so each stitch is tied to its neighbor.
The fabric is as tall as treble and grows as fast, but it's solid, with a woven look and no see-through.
This is an intermediate stitch. The motions are ordinary, but you have to find two small horizontal bars on the side of the last stitch. The thing that makes it work is keeping those bars loose enough to get a hook into.
Watch: Linked Treble Crochet Video Tutorial
Watch where the two horizontal bars sit on the side of each finished stitch, and how the first stitch of each row uses the turning chain instead.
What You Need
Yarn: worsted weight, as in the swatch. The bars you work into are small, and a smooth, light-colored yarn makes them visible.
Hook: 5.0mm (US H-8).
Abbreviations (US terms): CH = chain; YO = yarn over; LTC = linked treble crochet (defined in the pattern); SSC = shallow single crochet (listed in the original but not used in the rows); st(s) = stitch(es).
Stitch multiple: any number of stitches plus 4 chains for the turning chain. The swatch chains 20 and gets 16 stitches.
Linked Treble Crochet Written Pattern
Size: 6"x6"
Gauge: 4x4 = 11sts x 5 rows
Yarn: 25 g or 38yds of DGY worsted weight recycled silk
Crochet Hook: 5.0mm
Abbreviations:
CH- Chain
LTC- Linked Treble Crochet - Work stitch by first working into the 2nd, 4th and 5th chains from the hook, to create the first stitch. Insert hook and pull up a loop from the second chain from the hook, yo, pull through one loop, repeat in the 4th and 5th chains from the hook, leaving 4 loops on the hook. YO, pull through 2 three times. This creates the first linked treble crochet stitch. Continue by inserting the hook and pulling up a loop from the top horizontal bar, yo, pull through one loop, repeat this in the second horizontal bar and next stitch, leaving 4 loops on the hook. YO, pull through 2 three times.
SSC- Shallow Single Crochet - SC into the center of the previous SC post
YO - Yarn Over
Pattern:
CH 20 (Base plus 4 ch)
Row 1: LTC across - Working into the 2nd, 4th and 5th chains from the hook, create the first stitch. Insert hook and pull up a loop from the second chain from the hook, yo, pull through one loop, repeat in the 4th and 5th chains from the hook, leaving 4 loops on the hook. YO, pull through 2 three times. This creates the first linked treble crochet stitch. *Continue by inserting the hook and pulling up a loop from the top horizontal bar, yo, pull through one loop, repeat this in the second horizontal bar and next stitch, leaving 4 loops on the hook. YO, pull through 2 three times (LTC)" LTC across. CH 4 and Turn. (16)
Row 2: Working into the 2nd, 4th chains from the hook and the second stitch of the row, create the first stitch. Insert hook and pull up a loop from the second chain from the hook, yo, pull through one loop, repeat in the 4th and 5th chains from the hook, leaving 4 loops on the hook. YO, pull through 2 three times. Continue by LTC across. (16)
Rows 3-7: Repeat row 2.
Bind off and weave in ends.
Step-by-Step: How the Stitch Works
- Build the first stitch from the chain. Instead of two yarn overs, pull up a loop from the second, fourth, and fifth chains from the hook, yarning over and pulling through one each time. Four loops on the hook.
- Finish like a treble. Yarn over and pull through two, three times. The two loops you pulled up now show as two short horizontal bars on the side of the stitch.
- Link the next stitch. Hook under the top bar, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through one. Same in the lower bar. Then pull up a loop from the next stitch. Four loops again.
- Pull through two, three times. That's one linked treble, joined to the previous stitch at two points down its side.
- Turn with a chain 4. The chain stands in for the first stitch's bars: pull up loops from its chains and from the second stitch of the row, then link across. Sixteen stitches every row.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Don't lock the bars tight. The "yarn over, pull through one" after each pulled-up loop should be loose. Tight bars are impossible to get a hook under on the next stitch.
- Count four loops before you finish. Two bars, the next stitch, and the working loop. Three means you missed a bar and the stitch will have a hole.
- Work the top bar first. Going into the lower bar first twists the link and the stitch slants.
- Keep sixteen. The last stitch of each row goes into the top of the turning chain. Skipping it narrows the swatch.
What to Make With Linked Treble Crochet
- Scarves and wraps: tall rows go fast, and the fabric has drape without holes. DK or sport weight silk suits it.
- Blankets: solid and warm in worsted or bulky, with far fewer rows than single crochet; see how to crochet a blanket.
Related Stitches
- Treble Crochet — the unlinked version; learn it first to see what linking changes.
- Double Crochet Stitch — one yarn over shorter; the same linking idea works on it.
- Browse every crochet stitch tutorial
Yarn for This Stitch
Linked treble is tall and solid, so a lighter yarn keeps it from getting heavy. A sport weight silk, hand-dyed by artisans in India, makes a drapey scarf; for blankets, a worsted weight is warmer.
If you'd like a new skein to practice on every month, Yarn of the Month sends three hand-dyed skeins with a knit and crochet pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping.
Linked Treble Crochet FAQ
What's the difference between treble and linked treble crochet?
Same height. A treble starts with two yarn overs, which leave space between stitches; a linked treble pulls those loops from the side of the previous stitch, so the fabric is solid.
Does linked treble crochet use more yarn?
About the same as plain treble, and less than single crochet for the same area. This swatch used about 38 yards of worsted.
Can I link double crochet the same way?
Yes. Linked double crochet uses one bar and a chain 3 turning chain.
