Crochet decrease techniques

Learn how to decrease stitches to shape garments and reduce stitch counts with our detailed tutorial videos! Learn different methods for working decreases into your projects, whether you're following a pattern or a diagram.

How to decrease with slip stitches

In this DROPS video we crochet in the round and show how to decrease a sl st by working into two sl sts. Put hook through first sl st (front loop), put hook through next sl st (front loop), get yarn and pull yarn through both sts = 1 less sl st. If you are ending a piece, e.g. a mitten, then continue to dec until there are a few sl st left. Cut yarn and pull it through remaining sts. Pull tog and fasten. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.

1:18

How to decrease in double crochet (dc) stitches

In this DROPS video we show how to decrease in double crochet (dc) stitches (or sc in US terms). When you decrease you can skip one st below, but that may create a hole. To avoid that you can crochet sts together to decrease. Crochet 2 sts together to 1 stitch: crochet dc in following 2 sts, wait with last pull through on both sts until last one is made, then pull through all sts on hook. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.

3:27

How to decrease in sc (US) or dc (UK) in each side

In this DROPS video we show how to decrease when crocheting sc (US term) or dc (UK term). We are showing how to decrease in the beginning of a row and also at the end of a row when crocheting sc (UK dc) . In our example we are dec 2 sts each side on each row. Dec as follows at beg of row: replace each st to be dec with 1 sl st. Dec as follows at the end of row: Turn piece when number of sts to be dec remain on row. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where this technique is used by clicking on the pictures below.

1:12

How to crochet 2 half treble together

In this DROPS video we show how we crochet 2 half treble together. Make 1 YO, insert hook under ch-space and get yarn, make 1 YO, insert hook below same ch-space and get yarn, make 1 YO and pull yarn through all 5 sts on hook. (We show the technique 2 times with 1 ch between). You must read the specific pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find a pattern using this technique by clicking on the picture below.

1:23

How to crochet 3 half treble together

In this DROPS video we show how we crochet 3 half treble together. Make 1 YO, insert hook under ch-space and get yarn, * make 1 YO, insert hook below same ch-space and get yarn *, repeat from *-* 2 times in total, make 1 YO and pull yarn through all 7 sts on hook. (We show the technique 2 times with 1 ch between). You must read the specific pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find a pattern using this technique by clicking on the picture below.

How to decrease by crocheting 2 trebles together

In this DROPS video we show you how to decrease by crocheting 2 treble crochet (tr) together to 1 tr. Crochet to the point where you want to decrease then work as follows: Work 1 tr in first st but wait with last pull through, work 1 tr in the following st, but on last pull through, pull thread through all 3 loops on the hook. You must read the pattern and look at the chart to be able to follow. You’ll find a pattern using this tehcnique by clicking on the picture below.

1:47

How to crochet a stitch group (or decrease)

In this DROPS video we show you can crochet sts together to form groups of stitches or when decreasing. US: dc-group / UK: tr-group. Crochet 3 sts in following 3 sts, wait with last pull through on all sts, until last one is made, then pull through all sts on hook. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns using this technique by clicking on the pictures below.

2:38

How to decrease in dc (US) or tr (UK) in each side

In this DROPS video we show how to decrease when crocheting dc (US term) or tr (UK term). We are showing how to decrease in the beginning of a row and also at the end of a row when crocheting dc (UK tr). In our example we are dec 3 sts each side of work. Dec as follows at beg of row: replace first 3 sts with 1 sl st in each. Then work a sl st in next st and then ch 3, the ch 3 replaces 1st dc (UK tr) on row. Dec as follows at the end of row: Turn piece when 3 sts remain on row. You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where this technique is used by clicking on the pictures below.