Increasing and decreasing stitches in crochet is essential to create different shapes. There are multiple ways to decrease stitches in crochet.
One of the methods to decrease stitch count in the row/round is simply skipping a stitch. However, this approach often leaves an unsightly hole in your work and is not a great form to decrease stitches for amigurumi.
The usual method for decreasing is to single crochet two stitches together (sc2tog), which is shown later in this post. However, this method can often create a bit more bulk than you would like because the last part of the stitch involves pulling the yarn through 2 loops instead of just one.
There is room for the sc2tog method when a pattern calls for it, but if you're looking to create a more seamless single crochet decrease in amigurumi, you might want to try the single crochet invisible decrease.
How to Single Crochet Invisible Decrease (sc inv dec)
1. Insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch.
2. Then directly also into the front loop of the second stitch that you want to decrease. You should now have both front loops and the loop of your last finished stitch on your hook (3 loops).
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook (yarn over/yarn under), and draw through both loops on the hook in one go.
4. Yarn over again and draw through both loops on your hook to finish a single crochet stitch as usual. You might notice the two stitches that you crocheted together pucker up.
The Disadvantages of Invisible Single Crochet Decrease
The invisible single crochet decrease works well when all your stitches face one direction. However, if there is any chance of you seeing the wrong side of the work, you might notice an unsightly bar. So I mostly reserve this method for amigurumis when working in rounds (i.e. spheres)
How to Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog)
1. Insert the hook into the first stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull a loop through the stitch (2 loops on the hook)
2. Insert the hook into the second stitch and draw up another loop. Now you should have 3 loops on the hook.
3. Wrap yarn around the hook and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
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This is an original crochet tutorial written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet tutorial as your own. If you wish to share this crochet tutorial, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.
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