Note: Links to downloadable PDF tutorials for both left- and right-handers are available at the bottom of the post.
Have you ever crocheted something using tall stitches only to be disappointed by the gaps that are often left between the stitches? You might not want to wear a garment that allows peeks at the undergarments worn beneath. You definitely don’t want a purse that would allow items to fall out easily if you don’t add a sewn lining.
Linked stitches to the rescue! A linked stitch allows you to attach the stitch you’re making to the post of the previous stitch (in multiple locations for taller stitches), creating a solid fabric with no bothersome peek-a-boo holes.
This tutorial will show you, with clear labeled photos, how to make linked treble crochet stitches. It also provides you with written instructions on how to make linked stitches all the way up to a quadruple treble! You can make even taller stitches if you wish. You also get instructions on how to link a taller stitch to a shorter stitch and vice versa.
Let’s take a look at some linked stitches. In the top wings of the butterflies, the linked stitches decrease in height, from taller stitches to shorter ones. In the lower wings, the linked stitches stitches increase in height, from shorter stitches to taller ones.
Linked Treble Crochet Tutorial
Notes: When working into the vertical leg of a previous stitch, you will work into the leg on the right hand side of the stitch.
Linked stitches are worked into the horizontal bars of the previous stitch.
Sample Swatch
Chain 6.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn. (5 sc)
Row 2: Sc in each sc across, turn. (5 sc)
Row 3: Ch 4 (serves as tr), skip first sc, tr in next sc, linked tr in each of last 3 sc. (2 tr, 3 linked tr)
Linked tr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 2 times, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times
Note: For illustration purposes, I did not show how to work into the chains of you starting stitch. When working on a real project, to link a treble to these chains, you would pick up a loop in the 2nd and 3rd chains of your beginning chain.
Basic Stitches
Linked dc: insert hook in horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] 2 times
Linked tr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 2 times, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times
Linked dtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 3 times, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (5 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 4 times
Linked trtr: : [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 4 times, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (6 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 5 times
Linked qtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 5 times, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (7 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 6 times
Beginning and End Stitches
Beg linked qtr: Ch 10, (insert hook in back bar, yo, draw up loop) in 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th ch from hook, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (7 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 6 times
End linked qtr: [sc in next horizontal bar of previous stitch] 5 times, sc in same ch-3 sp
Connecting Shorter Stitch to Taller Stitch (decreasing stitch height)
Note: First stitch listed is the stitch already made.
Linked qtr/trtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 3 times, insert hook in next two horizontal bars of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (6 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 5 times
Linked trtr/dtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 2 times, insert hook in next two horizontal bars of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (5 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 4 times
Linked dtr/tr: insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in next two horizontal bars of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times
Linked tr/dc: insert hook in next two horizontal bars of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (3 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 2 times
Connecting Taller Stitch to Shorter Stitch (increasing stitch height)
Note: First stitch listed is the stitch already made.
Linked dc/tr: insert hook in horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in vertical leg of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (4 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times
Linked tr/dtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 2 times, insert hook in vertical leg of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (5 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 4 times
Linked dtr/trtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 3 times, insert hook in vertical leg of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, (6 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 5 times
Linked trtr/qtr: [insert hook in next horizontal bar of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop] 4 times, insert hook in vertical leg of previous stitch, yo, draw up loop, insert hook in ch-3 sp, yo, draw up loop, 7 loops on hook), [yo, pull through 2 loops] 6 times
[button link=”http://www.crochetville.com/community/files/file/184-linked-stitches-tutorial-left-handed/” size=”xl” style=”download” window=”yes”]Click Here to Download Linked Stitches Tutorial for Left-Handers (PDF)[/button]
[button link=”http://www.crochetville.com/community/files/file/185-linked-stitches-tutorial-right-handed//” size=”xl” style=”download” window=”yes”]Click Here to Download Linked Stitches Tutorial for Right-Handers (PDF)[/button]