Welcome!! I am so excited you are joining us for the second part of Hookin’…the legal way! If you missed part 1 of the series, click HERE. Today, we have Sara from My Merry Messy Life showing us how to increase and decrease stitches.

These amazing shops are sponsoring Hookin’…the legal way. Check out their Etsy shops (Living In Amethyst and Two Girls Patterns) for some seriously amazing patterns and make sure to check back at the end where one lucky reader will be winning patterns from their shops! I know right!? I made this skirt and these slippers using these ladies’ patterns! So cute!!

Take it away, Sara!!:)

Hi there! I’m Sara and today I’m visiting you from over at My Merry Messy Life where I share my own free crochet patterns and share my passion for green living, motherhood, and children. The lovely Katie, your blogstress (I just made up a word!), has graciously asked me to write about increasing and decreasing in crochet today!

Increasing the Round

First, let’s start with increasing. This is a crochet technique that is used to make the width of your project wider. A project is made longer by adding more rows, but it is made wider by adding increasing stitches. An increasing stitch is simply two of the same stitch in one space. So, for example, I have chosen to use working in the round (see my post on that here) as my example for you, because it is one of the most common projects in which there are increasing stitches. Working in the round is one of the most important techniques to master in crochet as you can make hats, flowers, dolls, clothes and more. See my website for lots of hat and flower patterns!

Photo #1 – Chain 3, slip stitch to form a ring. Chain 2, 11 double crochet in the ring (for a total of 12 double crochet)

Photo #2 – This is an increasing round where we work 2 double crochet stitches into each space.

Photo #3 – Shows the completed round 2 which is an increasing round.

Photo #4 – This is another increasing round, but different from round 2. Chain 2, double crochet in the same space (so it looks like 2 double crochets have been worked). Now work just 1 double crochet in the next stitch. 2 double crochets in the next. 1 in the next. Repeat the 2, 1 pattern all the way around.

Photo #5 – Shows the almost finished round 3.

If you continued this circle, you would typically add one increasing stitch (2 of the same stitch, in this case, a double crochet) one time less each round. So, round 4 would be: 2 DC, 1DC, 1DC. Round 5: 2 DC, 1DC, 1DC, 1DC

Single Crochet Decrease

Now let’s move on to decreasing. Decreasing is important to learn in order to make things like ear flaps on a winter hat and clothing. There are different techniques for both single, half double and double crochet, and I have a photo tutorial for each of them for you! In each example, we’re going to make a triangle together. So, come follow along!

Photo #1 – Chain 12. In the 2nd chain from the hook, work a single crochet. Work 1 single crochet in each stitch all the way down.

Row 2 – Chain 1. (We’re going to begin a decreasing stitch. You’re going to start the single crochet but not complete it the same way.) So, insert your hook into the first space and pull up a loop. There should be two loops on your hook

Photos #2 to #3 - Leave the two loops on the hook and insert the hook into the next space and pull up a loop. There are now 3 loops on your hook.

Photo #4 – Yarn over, and pull through the first two loops. There are two loops remaining.

Photo #5 – Yarn over, and pull through the last two loops. Finished! See how there is only one space now for two stitches?

If you continue, the rest of row 2 will be to single crochet in the next 6 stitches, then work another decrease in the last two. (8 total stitches)

Row 3: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work a single crochet in the next 4 stitches, then work a decrease with the last two stitches. (6 total stitches)

Row 4: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work 1 single crochet in the next stitch, work a decrease in the last two stitches. (4 total stitches)

Row 5: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work 1 single crochet in the last stitch. (2 total stitches)

Row 6: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the last 2 stitches to complete!

Half Double Crochet Decrease

Photo #1 - Chain 12. In the 2nd chain from the hook, work a half double crochet. Work 1 half double crochet in each stitch all the way down. (10 half double crochet total)

Row 2 – Chain 1. (We’re going to begin a decreasing stitch. You’re going to start the half double crochet but not complete it the same way.) So, yarn over and insert your hook into the first space and pull up a loop. There should be 3 loops on your hook

Photo #2 - Leave the 3 loops on the hook, yarn over and insert the hook into the next space.

Photo #3 - Now pull up a loop. There are now 5 loops on the hook.

Photo #4 - Yarn over, and pull through the first 3 loops. There are 3 loops remaining.

Photo #5 - Yarn over, and pull through the last 3 loops.

If you continue, the rest of row 2 will be to half double crochet in the next 6 stitches, then work another decrease in the last two. (8 total stitches)

Row 3: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work a half double crochet in the next 4 stitches, then work a decrease with the last two stitches. (6 total stitches)

Row 4: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work 1 half double crochet in the next stitch, work a decrease in the last two stitches. (4 total stitches)

Row 5: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work 1 half double crochet in the last stitch. (2 total stitches)

Row 6: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the last 2 stitches to complete!

Double Crochet Decrease

Photo #1 - Chain 13. In the 3rd chain from the hook, work a double crochet. Work 1 double crochet in each stitch all the way down. (10 double crochet total)

Row 2 – Chain 2. (We’re going to begin a decreasing stitch. You’re going to start the double crochet but not complete it the same way.) So, yarn over and insert your hook into the first space and pull up a loop. There should be 3 loops on your hook

Photo #2 - Yarn over and pull that loop through the 3 loops. There are now two loops remaining.

Photo #3 - Yarn over, and insert the hook into the next space and pull up a loop. There are now 4 loops on the hook.

Photo #4 - Yarn over, and pull through the first 2 loops. There are 3 loops remaining.

Photo #5 - Yarn over, and pull through the last 3 loops.

If you continue, the rest of row 2 will be to double crochet in the next 6 stitches, then work another decrease in the last two. (8 total stitches)

Row 3: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work a double crochet in the next 4 stitches, then work a decrease with the last two stitches. (6 total stitches)

Row 4: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work 1 double in the next stitch, work a decrease in the last two stitches. (4 total stitches)

Row 5: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the next 2 stitches, work 1 double crochet in the last stitch. (2 total stitches)

Row 6: Chain 1. Work a decrease in the last 2 stitches to complete!

Merry Crocheting!

Be sure to stop back next week where Lauren from Tutus and Tea Parties will show us how to change colors and finish off a project.

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Welcome!! I am so excited you are joining us for the first part of Hookin’…the legal way! Myself, and my awesome guests, Lauren from Tutus and Tea Parties and Sara from My Merry Messy Life are going to show you how to crochet!

Are you ready to get started?? If you need a refresher of what each week will bring, please check out the Save the Date: Hookin’…the legal way post.

It can be extremely intimidating to look at a crochet pattern. All of the abbreviations are a bit overwhelming if you do not know what they mean. Well, let’s take it step by step and figure out what those abbreviations mean and figure out how to do each stitch as well. There are videos that you can watch to see how to complete each stitch, as well as pictures to break down those steps. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

1. Chain (ch) also known as the Foundation chain.

Wrap the yarn around your index finger and your middle finger twice. Take the back loop and bring it over the front loop on your fingers. Then take the front loop and bring it over the back loop you just pulled forward. Tighten your knot. Insert your hook and hold onto the knot to give you a better hold on to the yarn and create some tension. Wrap the yarn over the hook, pull the yarn through the loop on the hook, and you have just created your first chain stitch. Chain 31. Be sure to count. See the video below to see it done.

2. Single Crochet (sc).

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Yarn over the hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through the loops on the hook. You are going to do 30 single crochet (sc) stitches. See video below.

3. Half Double Crochet (hdc) – halfway between a single and a double crochet in terms of height.

Chain 2 at the end of your previous row. This is going to give you the height of your hdc row. Turn the row so that you are going to the left again. Yarn over your hook, and insert the hook below the first stitch next to where you chained. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will now have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook. See video below.

4. Double Crochet (dc) – this is my favorite of the basic stitches because it makes the pattern come together faster as the height is much taller than the single crochet (sc).

At the end of your previous row, chain 3 as this will be the height of the dc row. Turn your work so that you are going to the left. Yarn over, insert your hook under the first stitch from the hook (next to the chain). Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull up TWO loops. You will now have two loops left on your hook. Yarn over and pull up the remaining two loops. You have just completed the double crochet;) See video below.

5. Slip Stitch (sl st) – used to join crocheted rounds for circles, and for edging. This is perfect to edge the perimeter of a dishcloth to give it a more finished look.

Chain 1 at the end of your previous row. Insert your hook under the first stitch. Yarn over and pull the loop through. Continue pulling the loop through the loop that is on the hook. That is how you slip stitch:) See video below.

6. Crocheting a circle – Used for making a circular pattern. See video.

7. Magic circle (Magic Ring) – used for starting a circular pattern…ideal for making hats.

Wrap the yarn around your index finger so that it criss crosses. Insert your hook under the front loop and pull up the back loop as seen in the third picture. Slip this off of your index finger carefully so that you don’t lose your ring. Then, (assuming you are doing a double crochet), chain 3 stitches. Yarn over, and do a DC into the center of the ring. Continue doing this for the amount of dc’s as stated in the pattern or just practice:). It will come together as a circle so you’ll see when to stop because you won’t be able to put any more in there without it looking crazy:). In order to join the ring, do a slip stitch in the top of the chain three. You can see in the picture that there is still a hole in the middle. The back piece of yarn that started this ring can be pulled tight to close that hole. You are done:) See video below for more guidance.

Phew! That was a lot! But, keep practicing. You will get it. Replay these videos as many times as you need to, click on the pictures to make them bigger. Please ask if you need further guidance!! I am absolutely here to help!

Be sure to check back next Saturday for Part 2 of “Hookin’…the legal way” to learn how to increase and decrease with Sara from My Merry Messy Life.

Vote for me!!

Where I’m linking up

Hookin’…the legal way! Part 2

Increasing the Round

Single Crochet Decrease

Half Double Crochet Decrease

Double Crochet Decrease

Hookin’…the legal way {Part 1}

1. Chain (ch) also known as the Foundation chain.

2. Single Crochet (sc).

3. Half Double Crochet (hdc) – halfway between a single and a double crochet in terms of height.

4. Double Crochet (dc) – this is my favorite of the basic stitches because it makes the pattern come together faster as the height is much taller than the single crochet (sc).

5. Slip Stitch (sl st) – used to join crocheted rounds for circles, and for edging. This is perfect to edge the perimeter of a dishcloth to give it a more finished look.

6. Crocheting a circle – Used for making a circular pattern. See video.

7. Magic circle (Magic Ring) – used for starting a circular pattern…ideal for making hats.

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