How to Crochet Double and Treble Crochet Clusters

Double crochet and treble crochet clusters are worked by leaving the final step of each stitch unfinished, then closing all the stitches together at the end. This creates a group of stitches joined at the top.

In this guide, you’ll learn to work them in groups of three: two unfinished stitches and a third that closes the entire group. Once you understand the process, you can apply it to larger groups by following the instructions in each pattern.

What does it mean to leave a stitch unfinished?

It means working a stitch without completing its final pull-through. The remaining loop stays on the hook while you begin the next stitch.

When you reach the last stitch in the group, you also leave its final pull-through unfinished. Then, yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook, closing the entire group at once.

The third stitch is therefore not completed separately like a regular stitch: its final pull-through joins all three stitches together.

This technique of working unfinished stitches and closing them together forms the basis of stitch groups also known as clusters.

Before you begin

To practise, gather:

• Light-coloured yarn so you can see the loops clearly.
• A crochet hook suitable for your chosen yarn.
• A small crochet swatch to practise on.
• Scissors.

This guide uses US crochet terminology. The Spanish abbreviations used in El Pony Tejedor patterns mean:

• Pa: double crochet (dc).
• Pai: unfinished double crochet.
• Pad: treble crochet (tr).
• Padi: unfinished treble crochet.

Work the stitches into the location specified in the pattern. They may be worked into the same stitch, into the same space, or across different base stitches. The closing technique is the same, but its effect on the fabric changes.

Need to review the basic stitches?

Before working clusters, it helps to understand how to complete the individual stitches and manage the loops on your hook.

If you’re still getting familiar with crochet, take a look at our guide to basic crochet stitches. You’ll find step-by-step instructions to practise before trying this technique.

How to crochet a three-double-crochet cluster

A double crochet begins with one yarn over. To leave it unfinished, stop after pulling through the first two loops.

First double crochet: leave it unfinished

• Yarn over.
• Insert the hook into the indicated stitch or space.
• Yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
• Stop without completing the final pull-through.

You now have two loops on the hook.

Second double crochet: leave it unfinished

• Yarn over, keeping the existing loops on the hook.
• Insert the hook into the indicated location.
• Yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over and pull through only the first two loops.
• Stop without pulling through the remaining loops.

You now have three loops on the hook.

Third double crochet: close the cluster

• Yarn over.
• Insert the hook into the indicated location.
• Yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over and pull through only the first two loops.
• You will have four loops on the hook.
• Yarn over and pull through all four loops at once.
• Chain one to secure the cluster.

Your three double crochet stitches are now closed together! One loop remains on the hook.

How to crochet a three-treble-crochet cluster

A treble crochet begins with two yarn overs. It requires one more step than a double crochet to reach its full height, but the principle is the same: leave the final pull-through unfinished.

First treble crochet: leave it unfinished

• Yarn over twice.
• Insert the hook into the indicated stitch or space.
• Yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops again.
• Stop without completing the final pull-through.

You now have two loops on the hook.

Second treble crochet: leave it unfinished

• Yarn over twice, keeping the existing loops on the hook.
• Insert the hook into the indicated location.
• Yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops again.
• Stop without pulling through the remaining loops.

You now have three loops on the hook.

Third treble crochet: close the cluster

• Yarn over twice.
• Insert the hook into the indicated location.
• Yarn over and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops again.
• You will have four loops on the hook.
• Yarn over and pull through all four loops at once.
• Chain one to secure the cluster.

The result is a group of three treble crochet stitches joined at the top, with one loop remaining on the hook.

Do clusters always contain three stitches?

No. Although this tutorial uses groups of three, each pattern may call for a total of three or more unfinished double crochet or treble crochet stitches, labelled Pai or Padi, to be closed together.

The process stays the same: leave the final pull-through of each stitch unfinished, then use the last stitch in the group to close them all together.

• Group of three: two unfinished stitches and a third that closes the group.
• Group of four: three unfinished stitches and a fourth that closes the group.
• Group of five: four unfinished stitches and a fifth that closes the group.

The stitch that closes the group is included in the total. If the pattern calls for a group of three stitches, work three stitches in total, not three unfinished stitches plus a fourth to close them.

Before closing the group, you will have one more loop than the number of stitches in the group: four loops for three stitches, five for four, and six for five.

Always check the pattern’s abbreviations and instructions, as designers may use different notation for these groups.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Making the loops too tight

Keep your tension even and avoid tightening the loops left on the hook. This will make it easier to pull the yarn through all of them.

Practise these stitches by crocheting a blanket

Start by practising a three-double-crochet cluster and a three-treble-crochet cluster. Notice how the loops build up on the hook and how the stitches join together after the final pull-through.

Once you feel comfortable with the technique, try it in our crochet blanket pattern, which uses these stitches in its design. It’s a lovely way to practise while making something you can use or give as a gift.