How to Crochet Increase Stitch
Learn how to increase in crochet with this easy step-by-step tutorial for beginners, including a full video tutorial. An increase (abbreviated as “inc”) is two single crochet stitches in the same stitch. It adds a stitch to 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). We increase with a single crochet here, but you can use the same technique with any other stitch if your pattern asks for it.
Symbols Single Crochet Increase
These are three different symbols used for Increase in crochet patterns.
Step by Step Tutorial Crochet Increase
- Crochet a single crochet into the next stitch.
2. Crochet a single crochet into the same stitch as you made the first stitch.
3. Now you have made two single crochet into the same stitch.
Tip: Do you find it difficult to see if you are crocheting the single crochet into the same stitch as the first one? Pull the first stitch up a bit and you can easily find the hole.
What does “inc” mean in crochet?
“Inc” stands for increase. In a pattern like “Rnd 2: inc in all 6 st (12)”, you make an increase in every stitch, so 6 stitches become 12. In “(sc in next st, inc in next st) repeat 6 times”, you alternate a single crochet with an increase.
Why do you increase in Amigurumi?
Each increase round makes your circle wider, 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 single crochet, learn the single crochet stitch, the decrease 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 video’s on my DIY Fluffies YouTube channel.
