Foundation Linked Treble Crochet (fltr)

We all love the height of a Treble Crochet (tr). It’s the fast-track to finishing a blanket; you get double the height of a standard stitch, meaning you finish your project in half the time. But there is a trade-off: Stability. The taller the stitch, the "gappier" the fabric. When you work a standard Foundation Treble row, you often end up with a start that feels "leggy" or airy. It creates a bottom edge that can look flimsy compared to the rest of your work, especially if you are aiming for a dense, warm fabric. That is why the Foundation Linked Treble (fltr) is superior. It takes the convenience of a foundation row (stretchy, chain-free start) and combines it with the structural integrity of linked stitches. It’s the only way to start a project with tall stitches that are completely solid from the very first row.

Why "Linking" Changes the Game

If you’ve only ever done standard foundation stitches, the "Linked" variation might seem like extra work. But for Trebles, it is necessary engineering.

In a standard Treble, the only connection between stitches happens at the very top (the V) and the very bottom. The tall "post" in the middle is floating free. This creates vertical windows in your fabric.

Linked Treble solves this by connecting the stitches horizontally as you build them. You pull loops through the horizontal bars of the previous stitch, essentially zippering them together.

When you do this as a Foundation Row, you get:

1. Zero Gaps: A solid wall of fabric, perfect for garments where you don't want to wear a camisole underneath.

2. A Sturdier Hem: Unlike a floppy standard treble edge, the fltr creates a structured, dense band that holds its shape.

3. Speed: You still get the height benefit of the treble, but without the "swiss cheese" look.

Tutorial: Foundation Linked Treble Crochet (fltr)

Note: This tutorial uses US Crochet Terms.

The rhythm of this stitch is different. We are trading "Yarn Overs" for "Pulling Up Loops." It feels more like Tunisian crochet in vertical columns.

First fltr of a round or row:

1. Ch3 & Pull up loops in the 2nd & 3rd & 2nd & first chains from the hook (4 loops on hook).

2. Yarn over & pull through the first loop on your hook (foundation chain stitch just made) [yarn over, pull through next 2 loops on your hook] 2 times,  yarn over & pull through the last 2 loops on your hook (first fltr stitch made).

Subsequent fltr stitches:

3.  Pull up loops in the first and 2nd horizontal bars from the ltr stitch you just made, pull up a loop in the foundation chain stitch from the previous fltr stitch. Complete fltr using step 2.

Troubleshooting the "Rainbow" Curve

The most common issue with any foundation stitch—but especially wide ones like the Linked Treble—is that the row creates a rainbow arch (frowning shape) instead of a straight line.

The Cause: Your bottom "chain" loops are too tight. In Step 5, when you "YO and pull through 1," you are creating the bottom edge of the fabric. If this loop is smaller than the top of your treble stitch, the bottom of the row will be shorter than the top, forcing the fabric to curl downward.

The Fix: Relax your tension on that specific step. When you make that "chain 1" at the bottom (Step 5), give your hook a slight lift to make that loop taller and looser. It should feel almost sloppy compared to the rest of the stitch. A looser bottom chain allows the fabric to lay flat and match the stretch of the linked posts.