How to Crochet a Tapered Edge

Learning to taper an edge is an advanced crochet method.

Learning to crochet a tapered edge is a necessary skill for anyone who wants to make coats, jackets, sweaters or triangular-shaped shawls. These projects require that you know how to increase or decrease the number of stitches at the end of a row. Sometimes it is necessary to taper both edges of a crocheted piece. Once you understand the principal behind creating a tapered edge, you will be able to complete more advanced crochet projects.

Things You'll Need

• Crochet hook
• Yarn

Instructions

1. Make 42 chain stitches. Make one single crochet in the second chain stitch from the hook. Continue making single crochet stitches in each of the chain stitches until you get to the end. Make two chains stitches and turn.

2. Make a single crochet in each stitch. When you get to the end of the row, make two chain stitches and turn. Repeat this two more times.

3. Make a single crochet in each stitch until you get to the last stitch. Do not crochet in the last stitch. Make two chain stitches and turn. This is the first decrease. Single crochet in each stitch until you get to the end. Make two chains stitches and turn.

4. Make one single crochet in each stitch until you get to the second to last stitch. Make two chain stitches and turn. This is the second decrease. Make a single crochet stitch in each stitch until you get to the end. Make two chain stitches and turn. Repeat this step until you have the desired length of a tapered edge.

Tips & Warnings

• This method tapers one edge of the crochet piece. To taper both ends, follow the pattern but skip the first single crochet in each row.