Homemade Crochet Tangrams for Beginners: Educational Play Set

Quick Snapshot

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Time: 3 hours
• Yarn: Cotton worsted weight in 7 bright colors

Tangrams are a classic puzzle: 7 flat pieces that form a square and can be rearranged into hundreds of shapes. This crochet version is soft, washable, and safe for toddlers.

Materials

• Cotton worsted weight yarn: 7 different colors (50 yds each)
• Size G/4.0mm crochet hook
• Polyester fiberfill (light stuffing)
• Felt backing or non-slip shelf liner (optional, for grip)
• Yarn needle, scissors

The 7 Tangram Pieces

Each piece is crocheted as two flat shapes sewn together with light stuffing.

1. Large Triangle (Make 2)

• Ch 16. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and across. (15 sts)
• Decrease 1 st at beginning of each row until 1 st remains. Fasten off.
• Make a second identical triangle, sew together edges, stuff lightly.

2. Medium Triangle (Make 1)

• Ch 12. Decrease as above. This triangle is half the size of the large one.

3. Small Triangle (Make 2)

• Ch 8. Decrease as above. Half the size of the medium triangle.

4. Square (Make 1)

• Make two 4×4-inch square panels in sc. Sew together, stuff lightly.

5. Parallelogram (Make 1)

• Ch 12. Sc for 6 rows. On Row 7, shift the piece: skip first st on one side, add extra st on the other to create the slant.

Assembly

All 7 pieces should fit together to form a 6-inch soft square. Include a drawstring bag (simple sc rectangle folded and seamed) to store the set.

For a play mat, crochet a larger backing square with a grid pattern so kids can arrange their tangram animals on it.

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