How do you crochet a triangle?

There are two main ways. You can start wide and decrease a stitch at each end of every row until you reach a point, or start with a few stitches and increase at each end of every row to grow the triangle wider. Both shape the fabric into a triangle.

How do I crochet a triangle for a shawl?

Many triangle shawls start at the top and increase, either at both ends and the center, or from a corner, so the triangle grows wider as it goes. Others start at the bottom point and increase upward. Both create the classic triangular shawl shape.

How do you decrease to make a triangle?

Start with a rectangle width, then work a decrease at the beginning and end of each row, removing one stitch at each edge every row. As the rows get narrower, the fabric tapers to a point, forming a triangle.

How do you increase to make a triangle?

Start with a few stitches, then work an increase at the beginning and end of each row, adding a stitch at each edge every row. As the rows get wider, the fabric grows outward into a triangle.

Why is my triangle lopsided?

A lopsided triangle usually means you are increasing or decreasing by different amounts at each end, or missing an increase or decrease on some rows. Shape by the same amount at both edges every row and count to keep the triangle symmetrical.

What can you make with a crochet triangle?

Triangles are used for shawls, wraps, bunting and garlands, bikini tops, bandanas, bibs, and decorative motifs. The triangle shawl in particular is one of the most popular crochet garments.

Crochet Shapes

How to Crochet a Triangle (Increase or Decrease Methods)

Published June 5, 2026

The triangle is a versatile shape in crochet, forming the basis of shawls, bunting, bandanas, and many decorative motifs. Making a triangle is all about shaping, using increases to grow the fabric wider or decreases to taper it to a point. Once you understand the two methods, you can make a triangle any size and use it for all sorts of projects. This guide shows you how to crochet a triangle both ways. It is part of the crochet shapes guide.

What Is a Crochet Triangle?

A crochet triangle is a three sided shape made by changing your stitch count row by row, either growing it wider with increases or narrowing it with decreases. Where a rectangle keeps the same stitch count in every row to stay straight sided, a triangle deliberately changes the count to create its sloping sides and its point. This makes the triangle a great shape for learning to control increases and decreases, the same shaping skills used throughout crochet.

Method 1: Decrease to a Point

One way to make a triangle is to start wide and decrease down to a point. You begin with a foundation chain the width of the triangle's base, then work a decrease at the start and end of every row, removing one stitch at each edge each time. As the rows get shorter, the fabric tapers inward until it reaches a single point at the top. This method is intuitive because you can see the triangle forming as it narrows. It relies on clean decreasing at the edges.

Method 2: Increase From a Point

The other way is to start at a point and increase outward. You begin with just a few stitches, then work an increase at the start and end of every row, adding a stitch at each edge each time. As the rows get longer, the fabric grows wider into a triangle. This method is popular for shawls worked from the bottom point up. It relies on even increasing at the edges, and it lets you keep going until the triangle is exactly as big as you want.

Triangle Shawls

The most popular use of the triangle is the shawl, and shawls are shaped in a few ways. Some start at the top and increase at both ends and often at the center too, growing into a wide triangle. Others start at the bottom point and increase upward. The increases are often paired with chain spaces and decorative stitches to make lacy, drapey fabric. Whichever way a shawl is shaped, it comes down to the same increase and decrease skills, applied to make the classic triangular form that wraps beautifully around the shoulders.

Step by Step: A Simple Increase Triangle

Step one: chain a small number to start the point, following your pattern, and work a short first row. Step two: at the start of the next row, work your turning chain and an increase into the first stitch, work across, and increase in the last stitch. Step three: repeat, increasing at both ends of every row, so the rows get gradually wider. Step four: continue until the triangle reaches the width you want, then fasten off. Keeping the increases even at both ends each row keeps the triangle symmetrical and its point centered.

Common Triangle Mistakes

The most common mistake is a lopsided triangle, which happens when you increase or decrease by different amounts at each end, or skip the shaping on some rows. Shape by the same amount at both edges every row, and count your stitches to catch any missed increases or decreases. Uneven edges can also come from inconsistent tension. If your triangle is not symmetrical, the guide to crochet shape troubleshooting will help you diagnose and fix it.

What You Can Make

Triangles are used for shawls and wraps, bunting and garlands, bikini tops, bandanas, baby bibs, and decorative motifs. The triangle shawl is one of the most loved crochet garments, and bunting is a quick, fun way to practice the shape. For a shape that tapers into three dimensions, compare the triangle with the cone. Explore more shapes in the crochet shapes guide and find projects in the beginner pattern hub.