How to Crochet Tall Stitches

Have you ever delved into the realm of tall stitches in crochet? Those stitches that seem to extend beyond the familiar treble crochet (tr)? During my own crochet journey, I often experimented with stitch lengths, but I rarely incorporated them into actual patterns.

Let's explore the fascinating world of tall stitches together. While there may not be an official definition for these stitches in crochet terminology, they generally refer to stitches that exceed the length of double or treble crochet. Some of them may even lack specific names, making them intriguing to unravel. But fear not! Tall stitches do have names, and figuring them out is not as complicated as it may seem. Moreover, there is only one fundamental method that underpins the creation of all tall stitches.

To crochet tall stitches, the number of yarn overs you make determines the length of the stitch. For example, a double crochet requires one yarn over, while a treble (or triple) crochet necessitates two yarn overs. As you increase the height of the stitch, you add more yarn overs. A double treble crochet demands three yarn overs, and a triple treble crochet calls for four. The process remains consistent throughout: yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over again, and work through two loops at a time until no loops remain on the hook. Can you spot the pattern? Regardless of how tall you desire the stitch to be, this basic method of multiple yarn overs at the beginning and working off loops in pairs is all you need to know.

To provide a visual reference, I've included collages showcasing the triple treble crochet stitch. Remember, you can apply the same pattern to create any tall stitch you desire.

Now that we've demystified tall stitches and their creation, you can confidently explore their potential in your crochet projects. These stitches offer a world of possibilities to add height, texture, and visual interest to your designs. So, grab your hook, embrace the challenge, and embark on a creative journey with tall stitches in crochet!

When it comes to crochet, there's a whole world of stitches to explore, including the intriguing realm of tall stitches. While there may not be an official definition for these stitches, they are characterized by their above-average length compared to traditional stitches like double or treble crochet.

For some stitch enthusiasts, tall stitches may even include those that don't have specific names. However, the good news is that regardless of their names or lengths, there is a simple and consistent method to create them all.

To crochet tall stitches, the key lies in the number of yarn overs you make before working the stitch. For instance, a double crochet requires a single yarn over, while a treble (or triple) crochet is formed with two yarn overs. If you want to go even taller, you can yarn over three times for a double treble crochet, or four times for a triple treble crochet.

Once you've mastered the yarn overs, the rest is straightforward. Similar to double crochet and treble crochet, you'll yarn over and work through two loop intervals until you've completed the stitch. Regardless of the height you're aiming for, this fundamental technique of yarning over and working off two loops at a time remains consistent.

To help you visualize the process, take a look at the included collages showcasing the triple treble crochet stitch. Remember, this pattern can be applied to any tall stitch you encounter. With this understanding, you're ready to explore the possibilities and incorporate tall stitches into your crochet repertoire. Let your creativity soar as you embark on your journey through the world of tall stitches.

What to call them?

Let’s assume for this post that tall stitches are those after double crochet. Here is a list of their names and how many yarn overs they require. You may or may not be acquainted with the first few.

Treble (or triple) crochet – 2 yarn overs

Double treble crochet – 3 yarn overs

Triple treble crochet – 4 yarn overs

Quadruple treble crochet – 5 yarn overs

Quintuple treble crochet – 6 yarn overs

Sextuple treble crochet – 7 yarn overs

Septuple treble crochet – 8 yarn overs

Octuple treble crochet – 9 yarn overs

Nonuple treble crochet – 10 yarn overs

Decuple treble crochet – 11 yarn overs

— Avoid Saggy Stitches

There is one thing to take note of: the taller the stitch the harder it is to keep it looking neat. For example, in the first picture above the darkest blue swatch which consists of septuple treble crochets became hard to handle and unruly very easily. If you work them too loose then by the time you are making that last yarn over and pull through you will have a very saggy stitch. My best recommendation is to work the loops close together and not let a lot of space between them.

Finding the Name/Number of Yarn Overs

Notice the name of the stitch in direct relation to the number of yarn overs. A great reminder for recalling the number of yarn overs per stitch is by simply adding one to the name of the stitch. For example, if you have chosen a triple treble crochet stitch you can add one so that triple would be quadruple, or translated to 4, meaning yarn over 4 times.

Formula for finding the number of yarn overs:

Name of stitch + 1= # of yarn overs

This works in reverse as well. If you have crocheted a stitch with 8 yarn overs and are trying to figure out what it’s called, simply subtract one from the yarn overs and figure out its latin name (in this case, Septuple).

Formula for finding the name of the stitch:

# of yarn overs – 1= name of stitch

With this method you can figure out both the name and the number of yarn overs for stitches as long as you can make. Although I tend to need a lesson in latin numbers before advancing beyond decuple (10).

Instructions

How to Triple Treble:

1. Start with any number of chains. Let’s say 14 chains for this example.

2. First we need to wrap our yarn around the hook FOUR times.

3. Insert hook into the 7th chain from the hook and pull up a loop. (6 loops on hook)

4. Yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over pull through two loops, yarn over pull through two loops… a total of FIVE times. (until there is only one loop remaining)

5. To make each subsequent Triple Treble, yarn over FOUR times, pull up a loop in the next stitch. Yarn over pull through two loops a total of FIVE times.

That’s it!

To start a new row, chain 6 and turn. Then repeat step 5 to the end of the row.