How to crochet a triangle

Triangles are a quick and easy shape to crochet, so we're going to show you how to crochet a triangle in two different ways!

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Matt Spiers

Published: September 26, 2023 at 1:00 pm

Whether you fancy making some quick bunting or are planning on hooking up an angular patchwork blanket, understanding how to crochet a triangle is a fun introduction to the world of crochet geometry.

If you're new to crochet, you may find our post on how to increase in crochet stitches a useful companion to this post.

Making a crochet triangle is actually surprisingly easy, as unlike many other shapes where you would need to work in the round, triangles can be made in rows with simple increase stitches. In this tutorial, we're going to focus on making an equilateral triangle (where all 3 angles are the same), as these are the easiest and perhaps most useful type of crocheted triangle.

Crochet triangles are generally made by doing an increase stitch (working two stitches into one stitch) at the end of alternate rows. It's worth noting that if you try increasing stitches at both ends of your row, you'll end up with a much wider triangular shape that will normally start curving the bottom edge - hence these sorts of rounded bottom crocheted triangle are not commonly used.

How_to_crochet_triangles_increases

So grab a hook and some yarn, and let's get started!

You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This how to crochet triangle tutorial is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.

Two crochet triangle patterns

You will need:

Yarn
Crochet hook

Step 1

How to crochet a triangle

Row 1: Make a slipknot to attach your yarn to your hook, then ch2…

How_to_crochet_a_triangle_Step1

…then work 2dc into the second chain from your hook (this would be the first chain you made)

How_to_crochet_a_triangle_Step2

Step 2

Row 2: Ch1 (does not count as a stitch), dc into your first stitch…

How_to_crochet_a_triangle_Step3

…then work 2dc into the next stitch. Turn.

How_to_crochet_a_triangle_Step4

Top Tip – When you’re crocheting triangles, you may get a little loop sticking out of the side from your first row of dc stitches – if this is the case, just pick up the loop when working into the last stitch of this row, this will help to bring it in and hide it.

Step 3

Row 3: Ch1 (again does not count as stitch), work a dc in each stitch along up to the last stitch, then work 2dc into the last stitch. Turn. So in this example, row 3 would be: dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st – giving you 4dc.

How_to_crochet_a_triangle_Step5

Learn a whole new technique with Gathered

Learn how to do mosaic crochet and how to do corner to corner crochet with our beginner guides.

Step 4

Continue repeating row 3 for each further row. Your stitch count will increase by 1 for each row you work. Once your triangle is complete to your desired size, fasten off as usual.

How_to_crochet_a_triangle_Step6

And that’s how to crochet a triangle – simple isn’t it! If you’re wondering whether you could do this with decrease stitches instead, technically the answer is yes, but you would have to know the exact chain width that you want your final crochet triangle to have.

You can easily join the shapes made from this crochet triangle pattern to each other, and if you need to make a half triangle to create a straight edge, then it’s simply a case of just stopping increasing on one side!

But why stop there? Once you’ve got to grips with this basic crochet triangle pattern, you can use the same theory to make all kinds of angular shapes, like using decrease stitches to bring your crocheted triangle back in to make a crochet diamond shape.

It’s worth noting that although this is a simple technique when using dc stitches, it doesn’t quite come out the same if you’re crocheting triangles using treble stitches, as these are taller stitches so you won’t get the same angles.

If you want to make a triangle with treble stitches, it’s more common that you’ll do this by working in the round. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at how to crochet a triangle granny square!

Stock up your crochet stash

If you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks and the best crochet kits for beginners.

How to crochet a triangle granny square

Step 1

Start off with a ch4…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step1

…then join in the first ch with a slip stitch to make a ring. (alternatively you could use the crochet magic loop technique)

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step2

Step 2

Round 1: Ch6 (which counts as a tr and ch3)…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step3

…then work 3tr into the ring, then ch3…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step4

…repeat (3tr, ch3) once more into the ring…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step5

…then work 2tr into the ring and finish this round by making a slip stitch to join in the 3rd ch of your starting 6ch.

[You will have made 3 x 3tr clusters and 3 x 3ch-spaces]

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step6

Step 3

Round 2: Ss in the next 3ch-sp and ch3…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step7

…work (2tr, ch3, 3tr, ch1) in same 3ch-sp as your first ss…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step8

… then work (3tr, 3ch, 3tr, ch1) into the next 3ch-sp…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step9

… and repeat (3tr, 3ch, 3tr, ch1) one more time into the last 3ch-sp…

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step10

…then finish the round with a ss to join in the top of your starting 3ch.

How_to_crochet_a_granny_triangle_Step11

And that’s how you make a crochet triangle granny square. Your corners may be a little bit rounded like in the image above, but blocking will help to define the triangular shape, and it will be a lot less noticeable if you use this crochet triangle pattern to join multiple granny triangles together.

We hope you find our how to crochet a triangle tutorial useful, don’t forget if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide.

Create unique crochet shapes

If you found these crochet triangle patterns useful, why not take a look at some more?

Why not learn how to crochet a grany square and How to join crochet shapes together?

Use our crochet triangle patterns to create something special

Our crochet triangle patterns are an easy way to incorporate new shapes into your crochet.

You could create sweet crochet bunting or add your crochet triangles to the border of a granny square blanket – the possibilities for these little triangles are endless!

Now it’s time to find you a triangle-friendly project

If you enjoyed hooking up these crochet triangle patterns, why not take it further and make out free granny crochet bunting pattern!

Free_triangle_granny_bunting_crochet_pattern

Digital Assistant, Gathered

Matt Spiers is a crochet artist and designer who has been overseeing Gathered's crochet section for 2 years. He previously worked as Digital Assistant for Simply Crochet magazine and is our in house video editing pro. What started as a hobby a decade ago led to Matt developing a passion (and then a career) with crochet. As well as still regularly writing and designing for Simply Crochet magazine, Matt is a crochet artist in his own right, having displayed and created crochet installations at festivals and fibre events across the UK. You can keep up to date with Matt at @onemancrochet on Instagram.