Knitting Increases and Decreases: Practice Triangle

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Cast onCast on 3 stitches (3 sts). Row 1 is the right side; attach the marker to the right side of the work. All increases and decreases are worked at the beginning of right-side rows, so always on the same edge; the other edge stays straight and becomes the base of the triangle. Wrong-side rows are always knitted plain.
2. 2Increase 1: knit front and backRow 1: k1, kfb, k1 (4 sts). Row 2: Knit. For kfb, knit the stitch as usual but don't drop it from the left needle; insert the right needle into the back leg of the same stitch, knit it again and now drop it. Work these two rows 10 times in total (rows 1-20). After row 20 you should have 13 sts. This increase leaves a small horizontal bar at the base of the stitch.
3. 3Increase 2: make one leftRow 21: k1, M1L, knit to end (+1 st). Row 22: Knit. For M1L, lift the horizontal bar between the first two stitches with the left needle tip from front to back and knit it through the back loop; knitting it through the back twists it and prevents a hole. Work these two rows 10 times (rows 21-40). After row 40 you should have 23 sts; compare how much less visible this increase is than the previous one.
4. 4Decrease 1: knit two togetherRow 41: k1, k2tog, knit to end (-1 st). Row 42: Knit. For k2tog, insert the right needle knitwise into the second and first stitches on the left needle together and knit them as one. Work these two rows 10 times (rows 41-60). After row 60 you should have 13 sts; the decreases form a right-leaning line.
5. 5Decrease 2: slip, slip, knitRow 61: k1, ssk, knit to end (-1 st). Row 62: Knit. For ssk, slip the next two stitches knitwise one at a time onto the right needle, insert the left needle into the fronts of both and knit them together through the back loops. Work these two rows 10 times (rows 61-80). After row 80, 3 sts remain.
6. 6Tip stitchRow 81: Knit 3 together (1 st). Cut the yarn leaving 15 cm and pull it through the last stitch. The tip of the triangle now sits exactly in the middle of the shaped edge.
7. 7Finishing and comparingWeave both tails into the straight edge with the yarn needle. Dampen the piece and dry it flat in a triangle shape. Once dry, look at the four sections of the shaped edge: the little bars of kfb, the neatness of M1L, and the mirror-image lean of the two decreases will help you choose the right method in future projects. Use the triangle as bunting or as a trial for a baby bandana.