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Decreasing

Decreasing is a method of reducing the number of stitches (usually one or two at a time) to narrow a piece of crochet. This technique is useful for all kinds of shaping such as tapering an edge to create an armhole.

DECREASING ONE STITCH WITHIN THE ROW

This technique is used to decrease one stitch over the course of two stitches. The whole idea is to work each stitch to within the last step to complete it, leaving the last loop (or loops) on the hook. You will then yarn over and draw through all the loops on the hook to combine two stitches into one.

decreasing one single crochet

decreasing one single crochet

1. Insert the hook into the next stitch and draw up a loop. Insert the hook into the following stitch and draw up a loop.

decreasing one single crochet

2. Yarn over and draw through all three loops on the hook. One single crochet stitch decreased.

decreasing one half double crochet

decreasing one half double crochet

1. Yarn over. Insert the hook into the next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over, insert the hook into the following stitch, and draw up a loop.

decreasing one half double crochet

2. Yarn over and draw through all five loops on the hook. One half double crochet stitch decreased.

decreasing one double crochet

decreasing one double crochet

1. Yarn over. Insert the hook into the next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over and draw through two loops on the hook. Yarn over, insert the hook into the following stitch, and draw up a loop. Yarn over and draw through two loops on the hook.

decreasing one double crochet

2. Yarn over and draw through all three loops on the hook. One double crochet stitch decreased.

decreasing one treble crochet

decreasing one treble crochet

1. *Yarn over the hook twice. Insert the hook into the next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over and draw through two loops on the hook, then yarn over again and draw through two loops on the hook*. Repeat from * to * in the following stitch.

decreasing one treble crochet

2. Yarn over and draw through all three loops on the hook. One treble crochet stitch decreased.

DECREASING TWO OR MORE STITCHES WITHIN THE ROW

The same method used to decrease one stitch can be used to decrease two or more stitches. Simply work each stitch to within the last step to completion, leaving the last loop (or loops) on the hook, then yarn over and draw through all the loops on the hook.

decreasing at the beginning of a row

decreasing at the beginning of a row

Use this decrease when you need to decrease two or more stitches at the beginning of a row. When you have completed the last row before the decrease, do not chain; just turn the work. Work one slip stitch in each stitch that is to be decreased, here four stitches. To continue, chain for the height of the stitch you are working in (one chain for single crochet), then continue to work across the row.

decreasing at the end of a row

decreasing at the end of a row

Use this decrease when you need to decrease two or more stitches at the end of a row. Simply work across the row to within the last amount of stitches that need to be decreased; here, four stitches. Leaving these last stitches unworked, chain and turn to work the next row.