How to Crochet a Triangle (Easy Beginner Tutorial)

Crochet triangles are one of the most useful crochet shapes because they can be used to make shawls, scarves, blankets, bunting, bags, garments, and decorative motifs. Although they may look complicated, most crochet triangles are created simply by increasing or decreasing stitches in a regular pattern. In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to crochet a triangle using several beginner-friendly methods, including basic single crochet triangles, granny triangles, and triangles worked in the round.

What Is a Crochet Triangle?

A crochet triangle is a three-sided crochet shape created by increasing or decreasing stitches in a controlled way. Triangles are commonly used for shawls, scarves, garment shaping, blankets, bunting, and decorative motifs. The method for crocheting a triangle depends on the project. Some triangles are worked flat in rows, while others are worked in rounds or using granny-stitch clusters.

Crochet triangles can be used for shawls and wraps, bikini tops, bags, and shaping in clothing. The method of crocheting a triangle will depend on your purpose. Granny triangles, for example, make fabulous crochet shawls.

How to Crochet a Triangle (Step by Step)

This is probably the easiest method. You can choose to work from the base of the triangle up to the point, or vice versa. If you know exactly the size of your triangle, you can work from the base up and decrease as you go. This style of triangle uses single crochet to give a dense look, but you could opt for a lacier look by using double crochet (dc) or treble (tr).

Supplies

• Yarn weight of your choice. (I used worsted weight yarn for my samples.)
• Hook suitable for that yarn. (5 mm hook size for worsted yarn)
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

This article is all written in US terminology.

Step 1 – First Row of Triangle

• Foundation chain: Ch 14.
• Sc into first ch from hook, then work 1 sc into each ch. (13 stitches)
• Ch 1, turn.

Step 2 – Second Row of Triangle

Now you will start your decreasing to make the angled sides. To decrease, skip one stitch and work your next stitch into the following stitch.

1. Sc 2 sts together, sc into next 9 sts, sc 2 together. (11 stitches)

TIP: While working on either of the side-to-side triangles, be sure to insert your hook into the very last single crochet of the row. It likes to hide! Keep counting your stitches.

Step 3 – More Rows

1. Ch 1, turn. This counts as your first sc. Sc into each st from previous row. (Still 11 stitches)
2. Ch 1, turn, Sc 2 together, sc into next 7 sts, sc 2 together. (9 stitches)
3. Sc into each st from previous row. (9 stitches)

4. Ch 1, turn. Sc 2 together, sc into next 5 sts, sc 2 together.  (7 stitches)
5. Ch1, turn. Sc into each st along the row. (Still 7 stitches)
6. Ch 1, turn. Sc 2 together, sc into next 3 sts, sc 2 together. (5 stitches)
7. Ch1, turn. Sc into each st along the row. (Still 5 stitches)

8. Ch 1, turn. Sc 2 together, sc into next st, sc 2 together. (3 stitches)
9. Ch 1, turn. Sc all 3 stitches together.
10. End off yarn by cutting and pulling tail through the final loop.

Formula for Crocheting Triangles:

You will see that you only decrease crochet every second row. When you want a bigger triangle, start off with more chain stitches for the base. For uneven sides, work a row of sc all around the triangle, as a border. If you intend to join all your triangles together to make a larger project, don’t worry about uneven sides, they will get hidden when you join the triangles together.

Types of Crochet Triangles

Method	Best For	Skill Level
Base to Tip	Motifs and blankets	Beginner
Tip to Base	Shawls and scarves	Beginner
In the Round	Dense triangles	Beginner
Granny Triangle	Shawls and wraps	Beginner

Other Ways to Crochet a Triangle

Here are 4 more ways to crochet a triangle.

Tip to Base

If you want to make a large triangle, start at the tip, and increase as you go until your triangle is the size you want. It is very similar to working from the base except we will be increasing at the ends of every second row.

1. Ch 1. Work 2 single crochet into that chain.
2. To increase, you will work 2 sts into one stitch from the previous row. Ch 1, turn. 2sc into next st, 2 sc into next st. (4 stitches)
3. Ch 1, turn. Work 1 sc into each st. (Still 4 stitches)
4. Ch1, turn. 2sc into same st, 1 sc into each of next 2 sts, 2 sc into last st. (6 stitches)
5. Ch 1, turn. Work 1 sc into each st. (Still 6 stitches)
6. Ch1, turn, 2sc into same st. 1 sc into each of next 4 sts, 2 sc into last st. (8 stitches)
7. Continue in this way, increasing at the ends of every alternate row, until your triangle is the size you require.                                                       
8. End off by cutting the yarn and pulling it firmly through the last loop on your hook. Weave in your ends.

They actually end up looking pretty similar, whichever way you choose to crochet these triangles!

In the Round

This makes a slightly more rounded edge triangle.

• Round 1: Start with 4 ch, sl st to make a ring (OR start with a magic ring.) Ch1, 5 sc into ring. sl st to close.
• Round 2: Ch1, 2 sc into same st. Sc into next st. *3 sc into next st. (This will form one point of your triangle.) Sc into next st. Repeat from* twice. Sl st into first sc to join.
• Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc into same st. Sc into next 3 sts. * 3 sc into next st, sc into next 3 sts. Repeat from* twice. Sl st into first sc to join.
• Round 4: Ch 1. 2 sc into same st. Sc into next 5 sts. * 3 sc into next st, sc into next 5 sts. Repeat from * twice, join with a sl st.
• Round 5: Ch 1. 2 sc into same st. Sc into next 7sts. * 3 sc into next st, sc into next 7 sts. Repeat from * twice, join with a sl st.

Continue in this way, crocheting 3 stitches into each point of the triangle, and increasing your number of sc stitches by 2 for each side on each round. When your triangle reaches the size you require, cut the yarn and end it off by pulling it through the last loop on your hook. Weave in your ends.

With both of these triangles, you can work in dc if you prefer, but your triangle will not be as firm and sturdy.

Triangle Granny Square

This one works up really quickly.

• Foundation: Ch 4, sl st closed to make a ring. OR use a magic ring to start. Ch 6. (This is your first point of the triangle. It is equal to 1 dc plus 3 ch.)
• Round 1: Make 3 dc into ring. Ch 3, 2 dc into ring. Ch3, 2 dc into ring. Sl st to first ch of the 6 ch you made at the beginning of the round.
• Round 2: (Ch3, 3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) all into first 3 ch space. (Each chain 3 makes a point of your triangle.) * Ch 1, (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc). Repeat this into next 2 points. Ch 1, sl st to top of first ch 3 of this round.
• Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc into next space. (This is equal to 1 granny cluster.) (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc) into first ch 3 space from previous round. * Ch1, 3 dc into ch1 sp. Repeat from *until next corner. (3 dc, ch3, 3 dc )into ch 3 space. Repeat twice. Ch 1, 3dc into ch 1 space, ch1. Sl st into top of ch 3 from previous round. Your final cluster for each round is 2 dc, then sl st into 3^rd ch of ch4. 

Continue in this way, with one more ‘granny cluster’ on each side, between each corner, as you increase in size. When your triangle is as large as you want it to be, cut the yarn and end it off by pulling it through the last loop on your hook. Weave in your ends.

Crochet Triangle Projects

Crochet triangles are versatile shapes that can be used in many projects, including:

• Triangle shawls (free triangle wrap crochet pattern)
• Bandanas and scarves (free crochet bandana pattern)
• Bikini and crop tops
• Blankets
• Bunting
• Bags
• Amigurumi details such as ears and beaks

The size and style of the triangle you choose will depend on your project. Granny triangles are especially popular for shawls, while dense single crochet triangles work well for blankets and garment shaping.

Crochet Triangle FAQs

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In Conclusion

Crochet triangles can be used in many different projects. The final project you choose will determine the style and size of your triangles. You can make tiny triangles as beaks or ears for amigurumi, medium-sized ones to make decorative bunting, and larger ones to make triangle-shaped cushions.

You can join loads of triangles together to make an interesting blanket or even a crochet scarf pattern. Enjoy experimenting with the different types of triangles in different yarns and colors.