Want to learn how to decrease stitches in your crochet projects?
Decreasing the number of stitches can help make all the difference when it comes to crocheting clothing, amigurumi, hats and accessories!
In this post, I will provide an overview on how to decrease stitches in crochet including single crochet decreases, half double crochet decreases, double crochet decreases and treble crochet decreases.
You will learn about the traditional way of crocheting stitches together and even learn about the invisible decreasing technique to give your project a polished look.
Plus I’ll be providing some FAQs and relevant posts on how to decrease in crochet for easy reference. So let’s get started!
Materials Needed
To decrease stitches in crochet you can use any crochet hook size and weight yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested to get the correct gauge.
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Decrease Stitches In Crochet For The Basic Crochet Stitches
There are specific stitches for decreasing stitches in crochet when it comes to the different basic crochet stitches.
Below you will find individual tutorials for the most common basic crochet stitches including the single crochet stitch (sc), half double crochet stitch (hdc), double crochet stitch (dc) and treble crochet stitch (tr).
For each basic crochet stitch, there are 4 detailed tutorials, so learning to decrease stitches in crochet will become easy!
1. Single Crochet Decreases
Single Crochet Decreases are most often used when crocheting single crochet stitches.
Single Crochet Decreases can be decreasing anything from 1 to multiple stitches, like sc2tog, sc3tog, sc4tog and invisible single crochet decreases.
2. Half Double Crochet Decreases
Half Double Crochet Decreases are most often used when crocheting half double crochet stitches.
Half Double Crochet Decreases can be decreasing anything from 1 to multiple stitches, like hdc2tog, hdc3tog, hdc4tog and invisible half double crochet decreases.
3. Double Crochet Decreases
Double Crochet Decreases are most often used when crocheting double crochet stitches.
Double Crochet Decreases can be decreasing anything from 1 to multiple stitches, like dc2tog, dc3tog, dc4tog and invisible double crochet decreases.
4. Treble Crochet Decreases
Treble Crochet Decreases are most often used when crocheting treble crochet stitches.
Treble Crochet Decreases can be decreasing anything from 1 to multiple stitches, like tr2tog, tr3tog, tr4tog and invisible treble crochet decreases.
Learn About Treble Crochet Decreases
Working Crochet Stitches Together
The most common technique when it comes to decreasing stitches in crochet is to work stitches together. It is also known as a regular decrease.
That means to work all the steps of the stitch, except the final step, then repeat until you have worked into the number of stitches given. Finally yarn over and pull yarn through all the loops on the crochet hook from the unfinished stitches.
By working 2 stitches together, you will decrease 1 stitch. Working 3 stitches together, will decrease 2 stitches and so on.
We have full photo and video tutorials for working stitches together:
- single crochet 2 together / sc2tog
- single crochet 3 together / sc3tog
- single crochet 4 together / sc4tog
- half double crochet 2 together / hdc2tog
- half double crochet 3 together / hdc3tog
- half double crochet 4 together /hdc4tog
- double crochet 2 together / dc2tog
- double crochet 3 together / dc3tog
- double crochet 4 together / dc4tog
- treble crochet 2 together / tr2tog
- treble crochet 3 together / tr3tog
- treble crochet 4 together / tr4tog
Invisible Crochet Decreases
The invisible crochet decreases are an alternative method to the regular decreases. It is preferred among crocheters because the decrease are less visible and you will have a harder time spotting them in the crochet fabric.
The invisible crochet decreases are worked in the front loops of the next 2 stitches, then the crochet stitch is finished like a regular basic stitch.
We have full photo and video tutorials for invisible crochet decreases:
Common Decrease Abbreviations
To decrease stitches in crochet there are a few common crochet abbreviations you will need to learn.
- Decrease is abbreviated dec.
- Together is abbreviated tog.
- Invisible is abbreviated inv.
For a detailed list of abbreviations for single crochet decreases, half double crochet decreases, double crochet decreases and treble crochet decreases, see each blog post respectively.
FAQ About Decreasing Stitches in Crochet
Is crocheting stitches together the same as cluster stitches?
The steps of crocheting stitches together are the same or quite similar as with cluster stitches, but cluster stitches are most commonly worked into 1 stitch only.
Mastering Decreasing Stitches In Crochet
After going through this detailed tutorial about decreasing stitches in crochet you’re on your way to master reducing the number of stitches on a row or round.
You may not need to decrease stitches when crocheting scarves, but when it comes to crocheting sweaters, including armholes, and other crochet projects that require shaping, learning it is such a great way to increase your crochet knowledge.
Browse through the free patterns on the blog and decide on a pattern that you need to decrease stitches to give it a try!
