I think I may do the same thing if I'm understanding you. I count in my head 1,2,3,1,2,1 and sometimes connect by 3,2,1,2,1,1 to make a pyramid an then a diamond shape.
Like this
1
1 2
1 2 3
Or
1 2 3
1 2
1
And put them together to turn the two triangles into a diamond. Also three is not the highest number, I'll go all the way up past 10. Well any way I'm not sure if this what you do but I'd be interested to here back for
You or anyone else with info.