Making a Decrease

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Contrary to an increase, a decrease is the act of making one stitch in a grouping of two pre-existing stiches or spaces. Making a decrease causes your current row or round to have one stitch less than your previous row or round. A pattern will indicate where to make a decrease and what type of stitch you should make.

Making a single crochet decrease:

1. Insert the hook into the next stitch and pull through a loop.
2. Continue to insert the hook into the next stitch and pull through another loop.
3. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the three loops on the hook.
4. One single crochet decrease is finished.

Making an invisible single crochet decrease:

The invisible single crochet decrease is commonly used in stuffed projects (“amigurumi”) to make stitches tidier.

1. Insert the hook into the front loop (the one that is closer to you) of the upcoming stitch (image A).
2. Continue to insert the hook into the front loop of the next stitch (image B).
3. Pull the working yarn through both front loops (image C).
4. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the remaining two loops on the hook (image D).

Making a half double crochet decrease:

Two upcoming stitches will be reduced to one half double crochet stitch.

1. Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Pull through a loop.
2. Yarn over again and continue to insert the hook into the next stitch. Pull through a loop.
3. Yarn over again and pull through the five loops on the hook.
4. One half double crochet decrease is finished.

Making a double crochet decrease:

Two upcoming stitches will be reduced to one double crochet stitch.

1. Yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch. Pull through a loop.
2. Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook (an unfinished double crochet stitch).
3. Yarn over again and insert the hook into the next stitch. Pull through a loop.
4. Yarn over again and pull through the first two loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over again and pull through the three loops on the hook.
6. One double crochet decrease is finished.

Below is a video tutorial about making a decrease.

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