Apr
okay so crochet bunting for parties
I made bunting last spring 2024 for my sister’s baby shower and honestly it turned out way better than I expected but also took longer than it should have because I kept getting distracted by Succession reruns. The whole thing is basically just making a bunch of triangles and stringing them together but there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to do it.
First thing you gotta know is that bunting is super forgiving. Like if one triangle is slightly bigger than another nobody’s gonna notice from across the room. I use a basic granny triangle pattern which is literally just chains and double crochets in groups. You start with a chain of 4, slip stitch to form a ring, then chain 3 (counts as first dc), do 2 more double crochets in the ring, chain 2, then repeat that two more times so you have three groups of 3 dc with chain-2 spaces between them. Slip stitch to the top of your starting chain-3.
For the second row you slip stitch over to the first chain-2 space, chain 3 again, put 2 dc in that same space, chain 1, then in the same space do 3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc. That corner bit is important because it makes the point of your triangle. Then chain 1, and in the next chain-2 space you do 3 dc, chain 2, 3 dc, chain 1, then the last corner same as before. Keep going like this and your triangle gets bigger each row.
Yarn choices and what actually worked
So I used Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn for the baby shower bunting because it was cheap and came in pastels. Got like 6 balls at Walmart for maybe $15 total. Cotton is good for bunting because it has weight to it so the triangles hang nicely instead of curling up weird. I’ve also used Red Heart Super Saver which is acrylic and honestly it works fine too, just doesn’t have that same substantial feel.
The annoying thing about the whole process was definitely joining the triangles to the string. I tried a few different methods and they all have pros and cons. First time I just sewed them on with a yarn needle which took FOREVER and my hand cramped up. Then I tried crocheting them directly onto a long chain as I went but that meant if I wanted to rearrange the order I was screwed.
The best method I found is to make all your triangles first, then crochet a long chain the length you want your bunting, then use slip stitches to attach the top edge of each triangle to the chain. Space them maybe 2-3 inches apart. You can slide them around on the chain a bit before you really secure them which is nice for getting even spacing.
Size and how many you actually need
For the baby shower I made triangles that were about 5 inches across the top and 6 inches tall. Did like 20 triangles total which gave me about 8 feet of bunting. That was enough to go across the main table area. If you want to do a whole room you’re gonna need way more, maybe 40-50 triangles depending on your space.
Each triangle takes maybe 15-20 minutes once you get in a rhythm. I’m not super fast though. You could probably do them quicker. I made mine over the course of like a week, just doing a few each night while watching TV. My cat kept trying to attack the yarn which didn’t help.
Hook size matters more than you’d think. I used a 5mm hook with the Sugar’n Cream yarn which is pretty standard. If you go too small your triangles will be really stiff and dense. Too big and they’ll be floppy and full of holes. The goal is something that has nice drape but still holds its shape.
Color combinations that don’t look terrible
This is where you can get creative or just keep it simple. For the baby shower I did soft yellow, mint green, and white in a repeating pattern. Looked nice and not too babyish. I’ve seen people do rainbow bunting which is cute but can look kinda chaotic if you don’t plan the order.
Solid tip: pick 3-4 colors max. More than that and it starts looking like a yarn store exploded. Also consider where you’re hanging it and what colors are already in that space. The bunting should complement not compete with the room.
You can do all solid colored triangles or get fancy with stripes. Stripes are easy, just change colors every row or every other row. Carry the unused color up the side of your work or cut it and weave in ends later. I usually cut because I hate carrying yarn up the side, it always looks messy to me.
The actual practical hanging part
Nobody tells you this but hanging bunting is its own challenge. You need to figure out what you’re attaching it to before you make it. Command hooks work great for walls and come off clean. For outdoor parties or venues where you can’t put holes in walls, you might need to get creative with tension rods or tying to existing fixtures.
I always leave extra chain on both ends of the bunting, like 12-18 inches, so there’s something to tie or hook onto. Makes life way easier. The chain should be strong enough to support the weight of all the triangles without stretching. If you’re using thin yarn for your chain, double it up.
One time I made bunting for a friend’s birthday party and didn’t leave enough chain on the ends and had to kind of awkwardly tie on extra pieces with knots that looked bad. Learn from my mistakes.
Pattern variations if you’re bored
Basic granny triangle is great but there’s other options. You can do a solid triangle which is just regular increases without the chain spaces. This gives you a denser fabric that’s good if you want to add embellishments like embroidery or appliques.
Pennant style is another option where instead of a triangle you make a rectangle with a V cut out of the bottom. Same process basically, just crochet a rectangle and then… actually this is harder to explain without showing you but there’s probably videos online.
I’ve also seen people do different shapes entirely like circles or squares instead of triangles. Honestly triangles are the most classic bunting shape though and they point downward nicely which just looks right.
Oh and you can add stuff to the edges. Like a round of single crochet all around each triangle in a contrasting color. Or picot edging if you want it to look fancier. I usually skip this because it’s extra work and bunting is already kinda time consuming.
Washing and storing
If you use cotton yarn you can throw the whole thing in the washing machine on gentle and lay flat to dry. Acrylic too. This is good because party bunting can get dusty or dirty especially if it’s used outdoors or multiple times.
For storage I just loosely coil mine and put it in a gallon ziplock bag. Doesn’t take up much space. Some people fold each triangle individually which seems excessive to me but whatever works. The bunting I made in spring 2024 is still in good shape, I’ve used it twice now.
Actual costs breakdown
Let’s say you want to make 8 feet of bunting with 20 triangles. You’ll need maybe 4-5 balls of yarn total depending on your color scheme. At roughly $2.50 per ball that’s like $10-12 for materials. Hook you probably already have or can get for $5. So under $20 total which is way cheaper than buying pre-made party decorations.
Time investment is higher though. Figure 6-8 hours of actual crocheting for 20 triangles plus stringing them together. Spread over several days it’s not bad. If you’re trying to make bunting the night before a party you’re gonna have a stressful time.
I learned this the hard way when I volunteered to make bunting for a work thing and severely underestimated how long it would take. Ended up staying up until 2am finishing the last few triangles. They were noticeably messier than the ones I made when I wasn’t exhausted and rushed.
Trouble shooting common problems
If your triangles are curling at the edges you’re probably crocheting too tight. Try going up a hook size or consciously loosening your tension. If they’re ruffling and wavy you’re doing the opposite, too loose.
Uneven triangles usually mean you’re miscounting stitches. The pattern is pretty repetitive so it’s easy to zone out and miss a stitch or add an extra one. I count out loud sometimes which helps. Also looks weird if someone walks in but who cares.
If the chain you’re attaching triangles to is twisting, make sure you’re working into the same side of the chain consistently. Chains have a front and back and if you switch between them it twists.
Running out of yarn partway through a triangle is annoying but just join new yarn and keep going. Weave in the ends later. I usually join at the beginning of a row rather than in the middle so the ends are at the edge where they’re easier to hide.
When bunting is worth it vs when it’s not
Bunting makes sense for parties where the decoration is gonna be up for a while and you want something reusable. Birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, seasonal decor for your house. It’s nice because you can customize colors exactly to your theme.
Not worth it for like, a casual hangout or something where you’re only decorating for a few hours. The effort to impact ratio isn’t there. Also if you need a TON of decoration for a huge space, crocheting enough bunting would take weeks and you’re better off buying or doing something else.
I think bunting looks best when it’s not the only decoration. Pair it with balloons or a cake table setup or centerpieces. It adds that handmade touch without being overwhelming. Just stringing bunting around an empty room looks kinda sad honestly.
The baby shower where I used my bunting also had fresh flowers and a balloon arch and the bunting was like the finishing touch that tied everything together. People definitely noticed it and several asked where I got it, seemed surprised when I said I made it.
Other uses for the same technique
Once you know how to make triangle bunting you can use the same method for other stuff. I’ve made permanent bunting for my craft room that stays up year round. Used more muted colors so it’s not too cutesy.
You can also make seasonal bunting and swap it out. Like orange and black triangles for Halloween, red and green for Christmas. Store them in labeled bags and pull them out each year. Way more sustainable than buying disposable decorations.
Some people make bunting for kids’ rooms with their name spelled out on the triangles using embroidery or fabric letters. That’s more involved but looks really custom and special.
Garden bunting for outdoor spaces is another option though you’d want to use yarn that can handle weather. Acrylic holds up better than cotton outdoors. Or you could crochet the triangles with that plastic cord stuff but I’ve never tried that myself.
The triangles could also become coasters if you make them smaller and stiffer, or… okay that’s getting off topic but you see what I mean about it being a versatile pattern.
Final practical notes
Make more triangles than you think you need. Having extras means you can make the bunting longer if needed or replace any that get damaged. They don’t go bad sitting in storage.
Take a photo of your finished bunting before the party in good lighting. During the actual event you’ll be busy and the lighting might be dim and you’ll want a nice photo of something you spent hours making.
If you’re making bunting as a gift, include care instructions. Not everyone knows you can wash handmade items or how to store them properly. Just a little note card is fine.
Consider making the chain a bit longer than the actual space you’re filling. Swags look better than bunting pulled completely taut. You want a gentle curve between each attachment point.
And yeah that’s basically everything I learned from making bunting multiple times now. It’s a solid project for intermediate beginners, not too complicated but enough to keep you engaged. Plus you end up with something actually useful instead of another scarf or dishcloth sitting in a drawer.
