On the outside, this stitch may look and sound quite terrifying, but once you understand the steps it is much easier to complete. With a bit of practice, you will be able to produce this stitch easily.
As we know the name can sound quite daunting, we have created this easy guide for you to follow. You will learn and understand everything you need to know about the extended triple crochet stitch.
In addition, you will discover clear steps on how you can complete this stitch yourself.
What Is An Extended Triple Stitch?
When you see the letters ETR on your pattern directions, that means an extended triple crochet stitch is required. As the r doesn’t represent a whole word, it can also be written as ETr.
The extended triple crochet stitch can be utilized to lengthen a project or to extend the thread to accommodate additional adjacent stitches, much like any other extended crochet stitch.
They can increase a pattern’s height significantly without adding excessive weight or thickness.
It is a great stitch to use when crocheting scarves or any project where you wish for some more height. It also creates a really pretty open-weave appearance.
This is a far more technical stitch, thus it isn’t recommended for beginners. Especially since you need to understand how to complete a chain stitch and triple stitch before being able to complete the extended triple stitch.
What Makes A Extended Triple Stitch Different From A Triple Crochet Stitch?
The only differences between the extended triple crochet stitch and the regular triple crochet stitch are an additional chain and a single pull-through.
The “triple” in the stitch’s name refers to the fact that you loop over and pull through two loops three times when making a typical triple crochet stitch.
However, when you create an extended triple crochet stitch, you only pull through one loop after your initial loop over and then complete the stitch with the usual three pull-throughs.
The triple extended stitch is a piece of cake to master if you already know how to do the triple crochet stitch. It’s best to review the triple stitch if you’re unsure of it before attempting to learn the extended triple crochet stitch.
Tools And Materials Required
To be able to complete the extended triple crochet stitch, you will need the following tools and materials.
Crochet Hook – To complete the extended triple crochet stitch, you will need a crochet hook that is between 5 and 6.5 mm.
Yarn – It is recommended that you use worsted weight yarn, but the color is up to you.
How To Complete The Extended Triple Stitch Steps
Once you have gathered all the tools and materials you require, you are ready to give the extended triple stitch a go.
Alongside this new stitch, you will also be using the chain and normal triple crochet stitch as well. It is important you have mastered these stitches before moving on to the intended triple crochet stitch.
Below, read our step-by-step instructions on how to complete this crochet stitch.
Step 1: Attach Your Yarn
Even though there are many ways of attaching your worsted weight yarn to your crochet hook, you will find the slip knot the most popular method. Although, you could use any attached method that you enjoy using.
In this guide, the type of knot you’ll use to join the yarn to the crochet hook is a slip knot. In many crochet crafts, the initial step is to tie a slip knot, this is created by tying a straightforward loop at the yarn’s end.
Then put the loop on the crochet hook and tighten it.
Step 2: Create A Chain
At this point, you now need to chain stitch, but if you don’t know how to do this we have you covered below.
Once the yarn has been attached, use your left thumb and index finger to grasp the slip knot’s base. From back to front, pass the yarn over your crochet hook and hook it.
Bring the hooked yarn up onto the working surface of the crochet hook and through the loop of the slip knot. You have now completed one chain stitch.
Holding the slip knot’s base once more, wrap the yarn around the crochet hook from back to front. Draw through the loop on the hook after hooking it.
Another chain stitch has been created. Continue until there are four to five chain stitches.
Step 3: Create Four Loops
You are now prepared to begin the extended triple crochet stitch once your chain has been constructed.
Begin with two yarnovers, leaving you with three loops total, including your starting loop on the hook.
By inserting your hook into the working stitch and drawing the working yarn through it, you may create the extra loop on the hook that you need.
Step 4: Pulling Through
The next step is to yarn over once to make another loop. Draw the fifth loop through the following loop, which should result in you still having four loops on your crochet hook.
After this, you may complete the process by yarning over once more and pulling it through the following two loops on the crochet hook.
This will leave you with three loops on the hook. This will create a typical triple crochet stitch.
Step 5: Complete The Stitch
Now with three loops left, you need to yarn once more and pull it through two loops. This will leave you with just two loops on the crochet hook.
Then, for a final time, yarn again and pull it through the final two loops on the hook.
Now you have completed your first extended triple crochet stitch.
Step 6: Repeat
Following these steps, you need to repeat steps 3 to 5, until the chain is complete.
Therefore, you will need to create four loops once again on the hook. Then pull the working yarn through to create a fifth loop.
At this stage, you start to pull through and remove loops from the crochet hook. To begin with, you remove one loop, and then you do two loops at a time until there are no loops left.
Final Thoughts
The extended triple stitch is a very good stitch for confident crocheters to master. While this isn’t a common stitch to come across, it is always useful to know, especially if you enjoy creating your own patterns and designs.
To master this stitch, you need to ensure that you always have the right number of loops on your crochet hook and pull through a certain amount of loops each time.
With a bit of practice and following the steps we have outlined above, you will be able to complete the stitch in no time. We hope you have found this article helpful.
Now you should be able to complete the extended triple crochet stitch.
Crochet is one of the most calming and therapeutic crafts out there. It’s a simple dance of stitches, working in rounds, and forgetting the outside world as you create something beautiful.
Hi, my name is Nancy Adriane and I have been crocheting in my free time for almost 10 years.
I first picked up a hook when I was studying in college, stressed and frustrated with the pressures put on me by people around me. The workload got too much, and I desperately needed an outlet.
I tried everything – socializing, cooking, watching TV… nothing helped with the stress. I was too anxious to read a good book and quickly lost hope of keeping on track for the school year.
Enter, crochet. I fell in love as soon as I saw my holey, bobbly hat that I made on a whim. It was too loose to be warm, but I wore that hat every day the entire winter until I learned to make something of higher quality.
