How to Crochet Decrease Stitch
Learn how to decrease in crochet with this easy step-by-step tutorial for beginners, including a full video tutorial. A decrease (abbreviated as “dec”, also written as “sc2tog”) is two single crochet stitches crocheted together. It removes one stitch from your round, which is how you shape your Amigurumi, and you’ll find it in almost every amigurumi stuffed animal pattern.
This tutorial uses U.S. terms. In UK terms, the single crochet is called a double crochet (dc).
I also have tutorials to learn how to make a single crochet (sc) and increase (inc).
Single Crochet Decrease Symbol in Crochet Charts
These are three different symbols used for a single crochet decrease in crochet patterns.
Step by Step Tutorial Crochet Decrease
- Go into the next stitch and draw up a loop, and do the same in the next stitch.
2. Now you have 3 loops on your crochet hook. Yarn over and pull the yarn through all 3 loops on your crochet hook.
3. Now you have made a single crochet decrease, you have crocheted two stitches together.
Tutorial Crochet Invisible Decrease
- Go into the front loop of the next two stitches with your crochet hook.
2. Yarn over and pull the yarn to both front loops.
3. Yarn over and pull the yarn through the two loops on your crochet hook.
4. Now you have made an invisible decrease.
Tip: When using plush yarn, the stitches are difficult to see, use a normal decrease when you work with plush/chenille yarn, this makes it much easier.
What does “dec” mean in crochet?
“dec” stands for decrease. In a pattern like “Rnd 12: dec 6 times (6), you crochet every two stitches together so 12 stitches become 6. In “(sc in next st, dec repeat 6 times”, you alternate a single crochet with a decrease .
Why do you decrease in Amigurumi?
Each decrease round makes your circle smaller, which is how a flat circle becomes a round ball or body. The number in brackets at the end of each round is your stitch count, so check it after every round.
Next Steps
Now that you know how to decrease learn the single crochet stitch, the increase stitch and the magic ring, or start with an easy amigurumi pattern.
Want to start with an easy beginner friendly Amigurumi? Try these crochet patterns to create a cute stuffed animal, they all have a full video tutorial included. You can also find my videos on my DIY Fluffies YouTube channel.
