How to 3rd loop Half Treble Crochet - Photo Tutorial

Have you tried this 3rd loop variation of the basic half treble crochet (US half double crochet)?

Let me show you step by step how to work the stitch and what it means for the anatomy of your crocheted fabric.

Third loop half trebles work best in the round because the third loop always sits on the wrong side of the fabric. The close up of my Halo Cowl in the image below shows how 3rd loop half treble crochet has been used with variegated yarn to create texture and interest in fabric.

Striped crocheted Halo Cowl made with half treble 3rd loop stitches. — DK Short Version of **Halo Cowl**

If you would prefer a quick video tutorial, I have one here.

Here’s how make Half Trebles in the 3rd loop in The Round:

At the beginning, a 3rd loop starting half treble (US 3rd loop starting half double) can be added (much neater than turning chains).

Swatch of half treble crochets in 3rd loop showing front and back loops to avoid.

Step 1 – Ignore the front and back loops at the top of the stitch that you would normally work into.

Swatch of half treble crochets in 3rd loop showing third loop on WS of work.

Step 2 – The third loop sits at the back of the stitch (on the wrong side of the fabric). If you turn your work to the wrong side, you will easily see a horizontal bar at the back of each half treble crochet (US half double crochet).

Swatch of half treble crochets in 3rd loop showing yarn around hook and hook placed through third loop.

Step 3 – With right side facing, rotate the fabric towards you to make the 3rd loop easier to see. Yarn around hook and place hook through 3rd loop.

Swatch of half treble 3rd loop crochets step 4.

Step 4 – Pull up a loop. This action will move the front and back loops of the stitch below (the ones you ignored) to the front of the fabric, creating a > shape.

Swatch of half treble 3rd loop crochets step 5.

Step 5 – yarn around hook.

Swatch of half treble 3rd loop crochets step 6.

Step 6 – pull through all three loops to finish. It’s that simple. You are just starting a half treble crochet (US half double) through a different loop.

Stitch Anatomy of Half Treble Crochet in the 3rd Loop

It is well worth looking at the anatomy of the finished stitch.

Close up of half treble third loop crochet stitches.

Lots of rounds of htr 3rd loop crochet creates a squishy ribbed look. Because the front and back loops of the stitches of each round below were ignored, they get pushed to the front of the fabric. This creates a more condensed round than standard half trebles.

The stitch can be used to great effect, especially when paired with other crochet stitches.

I used it for my Halo Cowl (see image below) which combines 3rd loop half treble crochet with chains, half treble back loop only and extended double crochet (US extended single crochet) stitches.

Prefer a Video Tutorial?

If you would prefer a quick video tutorial, I have one here.

Patterns that use Half Treble 3rd Loop Crochet (US Half Double 3rd Loop Crochet)

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