Crochet Granny Half Square Triangle Block

By American Quilter's Society
Apr 1, 2025

Crochet Granny Half Square Triangle Block

The Half Square Triangle is a popular motif in crochet for evoking quilting, they are popular in quilt-inspired afghans and projects. The Granny Square, on the other hand, is a classic crochet technique that other crafts will imitate to evoke crochet. Here we bring these together with the Crochet Granny Half Square Triangle. - Emily Cross

Supplies for Granny Half Square Triangle

Materials Needed:

Yarn - We used a fingering weight yarn, use any weight you like

Crochet hook - Size appropriate for your yarn and desired effect, we used a 5.5mm hook

Small Scissors

Yarn, floss, or thread for applique

Needle - A sharp needle with a wide enough eye to thread the thread, floss or yarn through, like a chenille needle

Basic Stitch & Technique Guide

Before starting, here are the fundamental techniques used in this pattern:

Yarn Over (yo): Move your hook under the working yarn, then up and over it so the yarn is caught on the hook.
Chain (ch): Yarn over, then pull the yarn through the loop on your hook. Chains are often used as a foundation or to create space between stitches.
Magic Ring (mr): A technique for starting crochet in the round with an adjustable loop, allowing you to pull the center tight.
Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over again and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook). Yarn over, pull through two loops. Yarn over again, pull through the last two loops. When next to a number, the number indicates how many dc stitches to make, like 3dc means to make 3 double crochet stitches.
Turning Chain (counts as first dc): At the beginning of a row, the work is turned so that the stitches can continue being worked from right to left. Chains are used to reach the height of a double crochet. Turn the work, reinsert your hook in the loop with this new orientation, then chain to turn smoothly.
Fasten Off: Cut the yarn, leaving a small tail, and pull it through the last loop to secure the work.

Crochet Pattern: Granny Half Square Triangle

Instructions:

1. Make a Magic Ring (mr):

Hold the yarn tail in your hand and wrap the working yarn (the yarn connected to the ball) around two or three fingers to form a loop.
Insert your crochet hook under the loop, then yarn over and pull it through the loop.
Chain 1 (ch 1) to secure the loop—this does not count as a stitch but helps keep the ring stable.

2. Row 1:

Chain 3 (ch 3)—this counts as the first double crochet.
Work 3 double crochet (3 dc) into the ring.
Chain 1 (ch 1) to create the triangle’s point.
Work 4 double crochet (4 dc) into the ring.
Do not tighten the magic ring yet—wait until after Row 2.

3. Row 2:

Turn your work.
Chain 3 (ch 3)—this counts as the first double crochet.
Work 3 double crochet (3 dc) into the first stitch.
Work 3 double crochet (3 dc) in the space between the two 3-dc clusters from the previous row.
In the ch-1 space at the tip, work 3 double crochet (3 dc), ch 1, 3 double crochet (3 dc)—this maintains the triangle’s point.
Work 3 double crochet (3 dc) in the space between the next set of 3-dc clusters from the previous row.
In the top of the turning ch-3 from the previous row, work 4 double crochet (4 dc)—this keeps the triangle’s edge straight.

4. Tighten the Magic Ring:

Pull the yarn tail to close the center hole completely.

5. Repeat Row 2 for Desired Size:

Continue repeating Row 2 until your triangle reaches the desired size. Remember the HST template we made for hand piecing the block? Use this to check the size of your triangle and determine how many rows to make for your project.
Each row will add two new 3-dc clusters—one on each side—while maintaining the triangle’s point with (3dc, ch1, 3dc) in the tip’s chain space.

6. Fasten Off:

Cut the yarn, leaving either a small tail, or a long tail for appliquéing the motif to the quilt block, as desired.
Pull the yarn through the last loop and tighten to secure.
Use a tapestry needle to weave in the ends.

You have made a beautiful granny Half Square Triangle! Make a second matching triangle for a pretty pair. Now, we’re ready to attach it to the quilt block via appliqué.

How to Appliqué a Crochet Motif

Start by pinning the motif in place. The motif should rest flat without stretching into place to avoid warping the quilt block.

Use thread or the yarn from the motif and a suitable needle. Tie a quilters knot and start as the corner of the longest side of the triangle. Come up and take a small stitch, catching the corner of the crochet motif.

Travel with the thread on the back of the block, coming up a few stitches away. Take another small securing stitch, catching the edge of the crochet motif. Repeat to the far corner, taking care to secure the corner.

Turn and stitch a short side of the triangle. Repeat for the remaining short side. On the last stitch, pull the thread/yarn to the back and tie off to secure.