Crochet Class 17: Easy Decrease Techniques (dc2tog, hdc2tog, sc2tog)!

Have you ever looked at a beautifully shaped crochet project and wondered how they achieved that perfect curve or taper? The secret often lies in a simple yet essential technique: decreasing. Decreasing in crochet is a fundamental skill that opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to create everything from fitted garments to adorable amigurumi. In this guide, I'll walk you through the basics of decreasing, focusing on three common methods: dc2tog (double crochet two together), hdc2tog (half double crochet two together), and sc2tog (single crochet two together).

This blog post is based on a helpful video by Christa at the Secret Yarnery.

So, what exactly does it mean to decrease in crochet? In simple terms, a decrease reduces the number of stitches in a row or round. Instead of working a single stitch into each stitch of the previous row, you'll be combining two stitches into one.

This seemingly small change has a big impact on the shape of your project. Decreasing is how you create curves, tapers, and other interesting forms. Think about it: decreasing is essential for shaping hats, creating the rounded head of an amigurumi character, or fitting the waist of a sweater.

A crochet decrease is sometimes also known as crocheting two stitches together. Sounds simple, right? You'll be excited by how easy it is to complete a crochet decrease.

Why should you take the time to learn how to decrease? Well, mastering this technique unlocks a whole new level of creativity in your crochet. Here are just a few of the benefits:

• Creating fitted garments: Decreases allow you to shape sweaters, vests, and other garments to fit your body perfectly.
• Shaping hats and bags: From beanies to market bags, decreases are essential for creating the desired shape and size.
• Making amigurumi figures: Those adorable stuffed animals wouldn't be possible without the ability to decrease and create rounded forms.
• Creating more intricate stitch patterns: Decreases can be incorporated into complex stitch patterns to add texture and visual interest.

Decreasing is a fundamental skill to crochet. Trust me; once you've mastered it, you'll be amazed at the new possibilities that open up!

Before we dive into the techniques, let's clarify a few abbreviations that you'll encounter in this tutorial:

• dc2tog: double crochet two together
• hdc2tog: half double crochet two together
• sc2tog: single crochet two together

You'll often see "tog" in crochet patterns, and it simply means "together." It indicates that you're joining two stitches into one. If you are struggling with common crochet terminology, you can check out a crochet for beginners guide.

To practice these decreases, you'll need a few basic supplies:

• Yarn: Any weight of yarn will work, but worsted weight is a good choice for beginners.
• Crochet hook: Choose a hook size that's appropriate for your yarn. The yarn label will usually have a recommendation.
• Scissors: For snipping yarn ends.
• Yarn needle: For weaving in those ends to keep your project neat.

Using a light-colored yarn can help you see the stitches more clearly as you're learning. Consider using the same yarn and crochet hooks that Krista at the Secret Yarnery uses in her videos for a consistent learning experience.

Before you can confidently decrease, you need to be comfortable with the basic crochet stitches. Let's review them quickly:

• Single Crochet (sc): Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.

Knowing these stitches is essential before learning to decrease. If you need a refresher, there are many tutorials available online, including easy crochet tutorials from The Secret Yarnery.

Alright, let's get to the first decrease! Here's how to work a double crochet two together (dc2tog):

• Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch.
• Step 2: Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
• Step 3: Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook) - This is where you stop the regular dc.
• Step 4: Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch.
• Step 5: Yarn over, pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
• Step 6: Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook).
• Step 7: Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

That's it! You've now joined two double crochet stitches into one. It might feel a little awkward at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.

Tip: Keep your tension even to avoid puckering.

Even experienced crocheters make mistakes sometimes. Here are a few common pitfalls to watch out for when working a dc2tog:

• Mistake 1: Pulling the yarn too tight, causing puckering. Tip: Keep your tension loose.
• Mistake 2: Forgetting to yarn over at the beginning of each stitch. Tip: Double-check before inserting your hook.
• Mistake 3: Not completing the decrease in the next stitch. Tip: Make sure you're working into two separate stitches.

Next up is the half double crochet two together (hdc2tog). This decrease is similar to the dc2tog but has a slightly different texture.

• Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch.
• Step 2: Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
• Step 3: Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch.
• Step 4: Yarn over, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
• Step 5: Yarn over, pull through all 5 loops.

You've now joined two half double crochet stitches into one!

Tip: Make sure the hook faces down when pulling through all loops.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when working the hdc2tog:

• Mistake 1: Forgetting the initial yarn over. Tip: Always start with a yarn over.
• Mistake 2: Not pulling the yarn through all loops at the end. Tip: Double-check that you have pulled through all loops.
• Mistake 3: Creating too much tension. Tip: Keep your tension light.

Finally, let's learn the single crochet two together (sc2tog), which is often used in amigurumi and other projects where a tight fabric is desired.

• Step 1: Insert hook into stitch.
• Step 2: Yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
• Step 3: Insert hook into the next stitch.
• Step 4: Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
• Step 5: Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.

You've successfully completed a single crochet two together!

Tip: Make sure the hook faces down when pulling through all loops.

Here are some of the most common mistakes to watch out for with the sc2tog:

• Mistake 1: Missing a loop when pulling through. Tip: Count your loops before pulling through.
• Mistake 2: Making the decrease too tight. Tip: Loosen your tension a bit.
• Mistake 3: Inserting the hook into the wrong stitch. Tip: Make sure you're working into two separate stitches.

Did you know that decreases can lean to the right or left? The standard decreases we've learned so far (dc2tog, hdc2tog, sc2tog) typically lean to the right. This is because of the way the stitches are worked.

There are also left-leaning decreases, such as the "sk2tog" (slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over). These decreases are created differently and have a different visual effect.

When might you want to use a right-leaning vs. a left-leaning decrease? It depends on the pattern and the desired effect. Some patterns will specify which type of decrease to use in order to maintain a certain symmetry or visual flow.

If you're an amigurumi enthusiast, you'll want to learn the invisible decrease (invdec). This technique creates a smoother, less noticeable decrease, perfect for creating seamless shapes.

Here's how to do it:

• Insert hook into the front loop only of the first stitch.
• Insert hook into the front loop only of the next stitch.
• Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

This technique is essential for creating professional-looking amigurumi.

So, which decrease should you use when? Here's a quick guide:

• Single Crochet Decrease (sc2tog): Best for tight fabrics and amigurumi.
• Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc2tog): Good for a balance between density and drape.
• Double Crochet Decrease (dc2tog): Ideal for projects where you want more drape and less density.

The choice of decrease depends on the desired effect and the specific project. Don't be afraid to experiment to see which one works best for you!

Want to take your decreases to the next level? Here are a few tips for achieving perfect results:

• Maintain Consistent Tension: Keep your tension even to avoid puckering or loose spots.
• Count Your Stitches: Make sure you are decreasing correctly and maintaining the right stitch count.
• Read the Pattern Carefully: Pay close attention to the pattern instructions for decreases.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Don't be afraid to practice the decreases until you feel comfortable with them.
• Use Stitch Markers: Place stitch markers to mark where you need to do a decrease.
• Blocking: If you are having issues with decreases pulling your work, blocking can help fix tension issues.

Even with the best intentions, you might run into some problems with your decreases. Here's how to troubleshoot a few common issues:

• Puckering: Occurs when the decrease is too tight. Try loosening your tension.
• Holes: Can happen when the decrease is too loose. Try tightening your tension.
• Uneven Edges: May result from inconsistent decreases. Focus on maintaining even tension and stitch count.
• Incorrect Stitch Count: Double check the pattern instructions.

Here's a quick reference guide summarizing the steps for each decrease:

Decrease Steps

Ready to put your new skills to the test? Try this simple project to practice the decreases:

1. Chain 20.
2. Row 1: sc across (19 stitches).
3. Row 2: sc2tog, sc across to last 2 stitches, sc2tog (17 stitches).
4. Repeat Row 2 until you have a small triangle.

Experiment with different decreases in the swatch to see how they look and feel.

Now that you know how to decrease, here are a few project ideas to get you started:

• Hats
• Amigurumi
• Shawls
• Fitted Garments

You can find patterns for these and many other projects online and in crochet books. Don't forget to check out the popular tutorials from Christa at the Secret Yarnery:

• Drunken Granny Blanket
• The Sober Granny Baby Blanket
• The Speedy Granny Ruth Bedspread
• Gingham C2C Blanket
• Huge Crochet Ball

Sometimes mistakes happen, and that's okay! Here are some to be aware of.

• Not reading the pattern: Make sure to read the pattern carefully.
• Decreasing at the wrong time: Decrease in the right spot.
• Forgetting to switch colors: If you are working with multiple colors, be sure to switch colors.
• Not weaving in the ends: Weave in the ends when you are done.
• Choosing the wrong yarn: Choose the right yarn for the project.
• Not maintaining gauge: Gauge is important to maintain the same tension.

Mastering decreases is a game-changer for expanding your crochet skills. Don't be discouraged if it takes a little practice to get the hang of it. Crochet is a journey, and mistakes are part of the learning process. Keep practicing, and before you know it, you'll be creating beautifully shaped crochet projects with confidence.

Now you're ready to take on the crochet world!

Decreasing is a simple but powerful crochet skill that helps you shape projects with ease. Once you learn how to do dc2tog, hdc2tog, and sc2tog, you’ll have more creative freedom in your patterns and designs. Remember to practice, watch your tension, and check your stitch count as you go. Mistakes are normal and part of learning, so don’t get discouraged. Keep experimenting, and soon you’ll be able to tackle hats, amigurumi, fitted garments, and more with confidence.

Stay Hooked!