Crochet Lessons: Basic Crochet Decreases

One of the most common questions we get from people new to crochet is how to work crochet decrease stitches. Common crochet decreases you might see in a crochet pattern are the single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) or the double crochet 2 together (dc2tog). These stitches are relatively easy to reference in a basic stitch glossary. Having these decreases at your fingertips will help you approve any project with confidence.

Basic Decrease Stitches

The most basic “crochet together” stitch is the single crochet 2 together (sc2tog). Work it this way: Insert hook in indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook in next stitch or space, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook—1 stitch decreased.

Crocheting stitches together can get more complicated. For example, look at this description of double crochet 3 together (dc3tog). Double crochet is a more involved stitch, and we are stitching together more than 2 stitches. Work it this way: [Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch or space, yarn over and pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops] 3 times (4 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through all loops on hook—2 stitches decreased.

The Secret to Crocheting Stitches Together

Have you picked up on the pattern based on the description of the last two stitch decreases? There is a secret for any kind of stitching together. You need to know two things:

1. What kind of stitch are you stitching together (single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, etc.)? Regardless of the type of stitch you are working, you will work the stitch as usual until you reach the final yarn over and pull through. Skip this part of the stitch, leaving it partially unworked. Then, insert your hook into the next stitch or space to continue the decrease.

For a single crochet, you would insert your hook in the next stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop. Then, rather than completing a stitch with the yarn over and pull through 2 loops, you’ll move on to insert your hook in the next stitch or space. Similarly, work a double crochet to the same point by wrapping one yarnover, insert hook in next stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops (only once, leaving the last part of the stitch incomplete). Then move on to work in the next stitch or space to continue the decrease. See the pattern?

2. How many of them are you stitching together (2together, 3together, 4together, etc.)? This determines how many stitches you will work into before the final yarn over and pull through all the loops. The more stitches you are working together, the more partial stitches you will work, and the more loops you will have on the hook before the final yarn over and pull through. For example, working 2 stitches together will have you work 2 partial stitches and pull through 3 loops at the end of the decrease. Working 3 stitches together will have you work 3 partial stitches and pull through 4 loops at the end of the stitch, and working 4 stitches together will have you work 4 partial stitches and pull through 5 loops at the end of the stitch. Picking up on this pattern?

More Resources

You can find more resources on working basic crochet decreases below:

• Half Double Crochet Two Together
• Single Crochet Two Together

Happy Crocheting!
Sara Dudek

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