Shaping Crochet by Decreases

Shaping crochet by decreases is again as important as increases. Both increases and decreases shape any crochet fabric, mastering this will give you confidence to design your own projects. In previous post we have learn how to increase stitches in any crochet work.

In this post we will learn how to decrease stitches in any crochet work.

Decreases-

To make decrease in stitches; crochet two or multiple stitches together. Thus if you want to decrease fabric on left or right side, make desired number of decreases within a row, and repeat it for several rows. You can keep the decreasing in order by placing a marker (contrasting yarn or a plastic coil ring) where decreasing begins. For shaping to the right, decrease before the marker; to the left, after the marker. On the next row, reverse this order to maintain consistency of the direction.

Lets us see different ways of decreases-

To make a single decrease-

A single decrease is made by working two successive stitches that share one final loop. Repeated over several rows, progression is the same as for increasing. 

To decrease 1 stitch in single or half double crochet (sc2tog)-

Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) will decrease 1 stitch at a time. Insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through the 3 loops.

If a decrease occurs at the beginning of a row, you can, if you prefer, skip the first stitch instead of working 2 stitches together. If a decrease i designated for the end of a row, skip the next to last stitch.

To decrease 2 stitches in single or half double crochet-

Insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop, skip next stitch, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop (there are 3 loops on the hook, as shown) yarn over, draw through the 3 loops.

To decrease 1 stitch in double crochet (dc2tog)-

Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog) will decrease 1 stitch at a time. Take the yarn over, insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops, yarn over, insert hook in next, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops ( 3 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 3 loops.

If a decrease occurs at beginning of a row, you can skip first stitch instead of working 2 stitches together; if at end of a row, skip next to last stitch.

To decrease 2 stitches in double crochet, method 1-

Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops, skip next stitch, yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops (there are 3 loops on the hook, as shown), yarn over, draw through 3 loops.

To decrease 2 stitches in double crochet (dc3tog), method 2-

Double crochet 3 together (dc3tog) will decrease 2 stitch at a time. Similar to dc2tog, here we have to work 3 double crochet together. Take the *yarn over, insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops*, repeat * * two times more ( 4 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through all 4 loops.

To decrease 1 stitch in triple crochet (tr2tog)-

Yarn over twice, insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops, yarn over, draw through 2 loops (2 loops remain on hook); yarn over twice, insert hook in next stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops, yarn over, draw through 2 loops ( there are 3 loops on the hook, as shown), yarn over, draw through last 3 loops.

To decrease 2 stitches in triple crochet-

Follow the method for decreasing 1 stitch, but skip a stitch between the 2 stitches that are worked together.

To decrease several stitches at the beginning of a row-

To avoid an abrupt change in stitch heights, omit turning chain and work slip stitches for the number of decreases, make 1 single crochet in next stitch, then continue in pattern. Do not work the slip stitches on return row.

To decrease several stitches at the end of a row-

To avoid an abrupt change in stitch heights, leave un-worked the number of stitches to be decreased, work 1 slip stitch at end of row, chain 1 and turn. Skip the slip stitch, work 1 single crochet in the next stitch, then continue in pattern. 

You can watch video here: Shaping in Crochet by Decreases

I hope you liked this post, don’t forget to check previous post, how to shape in crochet by increases.

Happy Crocheting!