Increasing and decreasing (inc, dec)

US name

Increasing and decreasing (inc, dec)

UK name

Increase / decrease

Height

Same as the stitch

Best for

Circles, spheres, hats, shaping garments, tapering.

How to work it

1. Increase (inc): work 2 stitches into the same stitch. This adds 1 stitch to the round.
2. Standard decrease (sc2tog): insert the hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop. Insert into the following stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
3. Invisible decrease (recommended for amigurumi): insert the hook into the front loop only of the next stitch, then into the front loop only of the following stitch. Yarn over and pull through both front loops. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

Tips

• The circle formula: a flat circle needs 6 increases per round. Round 1 has 6 stitches, round 2 has 12, round 3 has 18, and so on.
• If your circle cups, add another increase. If it ruffles, remove one.
• The invisible decrease avoids the gaps that a standard decrease leaves, which matters when the stuffing might show.

Put it to use in the pattern library, or learn to read a pattern.