Decreasing & Increasing in Terms of Crocheting?

Question

What do "decreasing" and "increasing" mean in the crochet world? How do you do those?

Answer 1

To increase, you make 2 (or more) stitches in a previous stitch. Make the first stitch, and then instead of moving to the next stitch, make another one in the first stitch.

To decrease, you generally start by using the next two stitches. If you were doing single crochet, you'd normally have insert your hook into the next stitch, YO and draw that loop through, then yarn over and draw that through the two loops on your hook. To work a decrease, you insert your hook through the next stitch, YO and draw through, then insert your hook through the next stitch, YO and draw through, then YO and draw through the 3 loops on your hook.

Answer 2

What does "decreasing" and "increasing" mean in the crochet world? -- it means freedom from the straight line! :)

By adding or subtracting crochet stitches it allows for shaping to occur WHILE we're creating our fabric entirely by hand! Look at any crocheted garment, doily, or toy and it's proof of the ability to shape fabric WHILE it's being "manufactured." (NOTE: Crochet is the last remaining fiber art form that must be made by hand. When the word "manufactured" is used here, I mean made by MAN, WOMAN, or CHILD.)

Usually, to create an increase, you will create extra stitches in a given location. A great way to watch what just a series of increases will do, create 10 chains and then single crochet across (9 sts). On the next row place two stitches in each one (18 sts); in the following row create three stitches in each one (27 sts) and so on (36, 45, 63...). You'll see the work create a pretty 3-D spiral.

To create a decrease, it's just the opposite; you'll be combining two or more stitches into one. Again, this is usually done for shaping. I think to get the best experience in both increasing & decreasing is to create a ripple stitch pattern. This will help in focusing on stitch counts too! :)

For your basic increasing and decreasing "how to's" I'd recommend giving anniesattic a visit as they have free video clips you can watch on your PC.

I hope this helps,
~Dee Stanziano
CYCA Certified Crochet Teacher

Answer 3

Hi! Say you're making a ripple blanket. You would use decreasing for the dip and increasing for the hill part. It's quite easy once you get the hang of it. It's for other patterns too I'm sure but right now I'm doing a simple double crochet ripple blanket where I have to increase & decrease. It looks neat!

Answer 4

Decreasing is usually done by crocheting two stitches together. Increasing can be done by making two stitches into the same stitch.


Look at www.crochetpatterncentral.com and look for the section on intructions --you will find many good sites to show you how to do the basics

Answer 5

To do a shrink in double crochet: "Yarn over" = wrap the yarn as quickly as around the hook. a million. Yarn over and insert the hook into the subsequent accessible stitch. 2. Yarn over and pull that loop in the process the stitch. There at the instant are 3 loops on the hook. 3. Yarn over and pull that loop in the process the 1st 2 loops on the stitch. so some distance, that's comparable to the different double crochet. the place that's distinctive starts off with here education. 4. Yarn over and insert the hook into the subsequent accessible stitch. do not complete the previous dc first. there'll be 3 loops on the hook once you insert it into the 2d stitch. 5. Yarn over and draw that loop in the process the stitch. There at the instant are 4 loops on the hook. 6. Yarn over and draw in the process the 1st 2 loops on the hook. There at the instant are 3 loops on the hook. 7. Yarn over and draw via ALL 3 loops on the hook. you have now used 2 stitches from the previous row, yet made in basic terms one new stitch for the subsequent row. instead of a stitch with one head and one submit, you have a stitch with one head and a couple of posts. Like an the different way up V. this is a shrink.

Answer 6

You can go to lion brand yarn.com and they have all the info on how to do these things. If this doesn't do it goggle crochet and there are many sites that have videos that you can watch I've been a crocheter for many years and these sites help a great deal for forgotten stitches and such.
Happy Crocheting

Answer 7

Decreasing means taking two loops of the previous row instead of one.
Increasing mean making two new stiches through the same loop of the previous row.

Answer 8

increasing, making larger.
decreasing, making smaller.
increasing, you would crochet 2 stitxhes inthe same stitch.
decreasing, you would skip over one stitch