15 different detailed Ways on How to Increase in Crochet
Increases in crochet stitches create a wider appearance while decreases in crochet stiches create a narrower appearance. This is important for shaping in general, especially for amigurumi projects, when creating 3D shapes and structures. By combining changes in width and changes in stitch heights, you could create many different variations in amigurumi shapes.
Here in this post there is already a lot to cover for increases in crochet. For the decreases, which is equally a lot as well, is in a separate blog post.
In this post, I will not be going through the basic crochet stitches, if you need help with that, you might want to check out this post first, 'How to Learn Basic Crochet Stitches step by step for Absolute Beginners - 6 Easy Steps!'.
Table of Contents Show
What is an increase in crochet?
A crochet stitch increase adds additional stitches to your crochet project, so that it becomes wider and larger. It involves crocheting a few stitches (2 or more) within a single stitch, whether it is a row or a round.
What does an increase look like in crochet?
There are a few different ways an increase can look like in crochet. Most commonly, evenly spaced increases in a round can results in a 2D circle, while in a 3D plane, it can result in a sphere. If you decide to do the increases at the end of rows, you can get a 2D triangle, while you can make a cone in a 3D plane.
Another example of even larger increases in a stitch, like 3 stitches or more, can result in a rippling effect, which is what I use sometimes for the edges of my doll dresses!
How to increase stitches in crochet?
To increases stitches in crochet, simply single crochet regularly in one stitch and then repeat another single crochet back into the same stitch. There you have it, a single crochet increase, or 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch, that's it!
What is the abbreviation of single crochet increase?
I decided to include this inside this post because there is quite a bit of confusion about terminology and I hope to clear things up. Do note that many different crochet pattern designers write differently, so refer to their pattern abbreviations right at the start before tackling their patterns.
What is a 2 single crochet increase?
This 2 single crochet increase refers to 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch, most often written as '2sc in the next st'. For me, I often write my patterns as 2sc1, referring to 2 single crochet in the 1 stitch. Others write like what I mention in the following point.
What does * INC * mean in crochet?
Some pattern designers use the abbreviation 'inc' for increase. So the pattern will look something like this, 'inc in the next 3 st', which can be written as 2 sc in next 3 st, or for me, I would write 2sc1.
What is a 3 single crochet increase?
In addition to just a regular sc increase, a 3 single crochet increase refers to 3 single crochet stitches within the same stitch. It is a larger increase than just the 2sc above. It can go even higher depending on what is needed in the pattern.
What does it mean 3 SC Inc?
Likewise, 3 sc inc refers to 3 single crochet increase, or 3 single crochet stitches in the same stitch.
How do you increase a single crochet stitch?
Here in addition to the usual steps for an increase in single crochet, I mention how using this stitch in different scenarios will cause different shapes to arise. First off, just do a regular single crochet stitch, then insert the crochet hook back into the same stitch, and repeat the sc again, to get 2 sc in the same stitch.
How do you increase single crochet in the middle of a row?
When you decide to increase single crochet in the middle of a row or even in a chain, while leaving the rest of the row in just sc, you can create a crescent shape. A example pattern is below:
Chain 6.
Row 1: Sc1, 2sc3, sc1 - 8st
(Alternatively, Row 1: Sc1, 2sc in next 3st, sc1 - 8st
Or, Row 1: Sc1, inc in next 3st, sc1 - 8st)
See how increasing in the middle of the chain resulted in a crescent shape appearance.
How to increase single crochet at end of row?
Try switching the single crochet increases to the ends of the row, and if you start off with a narrower chain and progressively increase at the ends for longer rows, the eventual shape you get is a triangle instead! Here's a short example (which will not amount to the full triangle):
Chain 6.
Row 1: 2sc1, sc3, 2sc1 - 7st
(Alternatively, Row 1: 2sc in next st, sc3, 2sc in next st - 7st
Or, Row 1: Inc in next st, sc3, inc in next st - 7st)
How do you increase when crocheting in the round?
Increase when crocheting in a round here refers to evenly spaced increases and there is a specific mathematical pattern for the increases in each round.
Round 1: Magic ring sc6 - 6st
Round 2: 2sc6 - 12st
Round 3: (Sc1, 2sc1) x 6 - 18st
Round 4: (Sc2, 2sc1) x 6 - 24st
Round 5: (Sc3, 2sc1) x 6 - 30st
As you can see here, from the initial magic ring, the 2nd round involves increases all around, 3rd round involves alternate increases, 4th round increases every 2 stitches and so on.
Also, remember to grab my free 45-paged cheat sheet on how to crochet for beginners step by step with pictures PDF download below. It is basically a beginner printable crochet stitch guide with free printable crochet instructions for complete beginners!
Free Beginners Step-by-step Guide
Grab these 45-pages of cheat sheets that will help you with crochet stitches, magic rings, increases and decreases, FLO and BLO. Click on image on left for access!
What does it mean to increase double crochet?
An increase in double crochet is similar to the above but this time, you will be working 2 double crochet stitches in the same stitch. Let us talk about the abbreviations first.
What is the abbreviation of double crochet increase?
The abbreviation for double crochet increase is simply 2dc in the next stitch. For my patterns, I use the abbreviation 2dc1 or 2 double crochet in the same 1 stitch.
What does 2dc mean?
Like I mentioned above, 2dc refers to a double crochet increase. Some other pattern designers might write it differently, which is up just below.
What does dc2 mean crochet?
Do not confuse dc2 with 2dc! So if you see dc2 in the pattern, it actually refers to double crochet in the next 2 stitches, NOT a double crochet increase.
What does DC INC mean?
This is the other way to write a double crochet increase apart from 2dc. The pattern will go something like this: 'dc inc in the next st' instead of '2dc in the next st'. They both essentially mean the same thing, which is a double crochet increase!
How do you increase a double crochet stitch?
Perform a regular double crochet inside a stitch (whether in a row or round but more on that later), then repeat the same process with another double crochet inside the same stitch. To learn more about how to do all the different basic crochet stitches, remember to check out this article first, 'How to Learn Basic Crochet Stitches step by step for Absolute Beginners - 6 Easy Steps!'.
How do you increase double crochet in the middle of a row?
Crocheting a double crochet increase in the middle of the row will produce a crescent like for the single crochet example above. This time, because the double crochet stitch is taller than that of the single crochet, the crescent will be fatter in the middle. An example below is included:
Chain 6.
Row 1: Dc1, 2dc3, dc1 - 8st
(Alternatively, Row 1: Dc1, 2dc in next 3st, dc1 - 8st
Or, Row 1: Dc1, dc inc in next 3st, dc1 - 8st)
In this example above, I worked into a double crochet straight away from the chain, without any preceding chain. For that example, read on below.
How many do you chain for a double crochet increase?
Just like how I mentioned inside my basic crochet stitches article, chain 3 before doing a double crochet stitch and you can similarly do that for a double crochet increase as well. For the same example above, I tweaked it and added in a preceding chain below:
Chain 6.
Row 1: (Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, ch3, dc1), 2dc3, dc1 - 8st (<--- here the chain is not counted as a stitch)
How do you increase a double crochet at the end of a row?
You could increase a double crochet right at the end of the row or you could include the preceding chain of 3 just before doing the double crochet increase. Here are some simple examples:
Chain 6.
Row 1: 2dc1, dc3, 2dc1 - 7st
Or
Chain 6.
Row 1: (Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, ch3, 2dc1), dc3, 2dc1 - 7st
How to increase double crochet in the round?
To make a uniform and larger circle, use double crochet stitches instead of single crochet stitches. Also, do the preceding ch3 before the double crochet only at the start of the round, to get the most uniform circle at the end.
Round 1: Magic ring dc10 - 10st
Round 2: (Sc1, ch3, 2dc1), 2dc9, sl st to top of ch3 - 20st
Round 3: (Ch3, dc1), 2dc1, (dc1, 2dc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch3 - 30st
Round 4: (Ch3, dc1), dc1, 2dc1, (dc2, 2dc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch3 - 40st
Just like for sc example, the 2nd round has increases throughout, 3rd round alternate increases, 4th round increases every 2 dc stitches and so forth. Hope the pattern does not get too confusing! This was meant to be a simple example.
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What does it mean to increase half double crochet?
The steps are similar to double crochet stitches but with a shorter half double crochet stitch. The height of a hdc stitch in between that of single crochet and double crochet. Do a hdc once and then repeat the hdc again in the same stitch.
What is the abbreviation of half double crochet increase?
The abbreviation for half double crochet increase is 2hdc in the next stitch. For my patterns, I use the abbreviation 2hdc1 or 2 half double crochet in the same 1 stitch.
What does 2hdc mean?
2hdc refers to a half double crochet increase. Some other pattern designers write it differently, which is just below.
What does HDC 2 mean?
Hdc2 on the other hand, refers to half double crochet in the next 2 stitches, not a half double crochet increase so remember not to get confused.
What does HDC INC mean?
This is the other way a hdc increase is written, which easier for some crocheters to follow. The pattern will be like this: 'hdc inc in the next st' instead of '2hdc in the next st'.
How do you increase a half double crochet stitch?
A simple half double crochet increase involves doing a regular half double crochet stitch first, then repeat another hdc stitch in the same stitch.
How do you increase half double crochet in the middle of a row?
With a half double crochet increase in the middle of a row, the resultant crescent shape will be skinnier than a dc version and fatter than an sc version. An example below:
Chain 6.
Row 1: Hdc1, 2hdc3, hdc1 - 8st
How many do you chain for a half double crochet increase?
Use a chain of 2 just before a half double crochet stitch. Because a hdc is shorter than a dc, you might not want to choose having the chain before the stitch and it might not have a very noticeable difference.
How do you increase a half double crochet at the end of a row?
You could increase a half double crochet right at the end of the row or you could include the preceding chain of 2 just before doing the double crochet increase. Here are the examples:
Chain 6.
Row 1: 2hdc1, hdc3, 2hdc1 - 7st
Or
Chain 6.
Row 1: (Sc1 into 2nd chain from hook, ch2, 2hdc1), hdc3, 2hdc1 - 7st
Like I mentioned, because the hdc is pretty short, both examples might not be very significantly different.
How to increase half double crochet in the round?
As for the half double crochet in the round, do the preceding chain of 2 rather than not, to create a uniform flat circle.
Round 1: Magic ring sc10 - 10st
Round 2: (Sc1, ch2, 2hdc1), 2hdc9, sl st to top of ch2 - 20st
Round 3: (Ch2, hdc1), 2hdc1, (hdc1, 2hdc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch2 - 30st
Round 4: (Ch2, hdc1), hdc1, 2hdc1, (hdc2, 2hdc1) x 9, sl st to top of ch2 - 40st
Very much similar for hdc as for dc, except the chain is shorter, but the increases are all in the same fixed order.
What is a triple increase in crochet?
A triple crochet is taller than a double crochet stitch and about 3 times the height of a single crochet stitch. An increase is just the same for this stitch by working one triple crochet and then repeat again in the same stitch.
Is a treble crochet the same as a triple crochet?
Another more commonly used term is treble crochet, which is the same as a triple crochet. So a triple crochet increase is the same as a treble crochet increase.
What is the abbreviation of treble crochet increase?
The abbreviation for treble crochet increase is 2tr in the next stitch. For my patterns, I use the abbreviation 2tr1 or 2 treble crochet in the same 1 stitch.
What does 2tr mean in crochet?
As mentioned above, 2tr refers to 2 treble crochet stitches in the same stitch or a 2 treble crochet increase.
What is a 3tr in crochet?
I decided to include this in to show that 3tr refers to 3 treble crochet increase or 3 treble crochet in the same stitch.
What is a 3tr inc in crochet?
There are some crochet pattern writers who choose the abbreviation 3tr inc, which is actually the same as 3tr, basically 3 treble crochet increase.
How to make a treble crochet increase?
Work a treble crochet stitch first once and then repeat a 2nd treble crochet in the same stitch, to perform a treble crochet increase.
How do you increase treble crochet in the middle of a row?
To do it in the middle of the row, it would probably be commonly used as a gradually increasing stitch throughout the row like in the following pattern example:
Chain 6.
Row 1: Sc1, dc1, 2tr1, dc1, sc1 - 6st
So you see the row increases to reach the treble crochet height, then it increases in the middle and then reduces down in height again. This creates a mini shallow triangle too.
How many chains equal a treble crochet?
A chain of 4 equals the height of a treble crochet and would definitely be recommended just before a treble crochet stitch.
How do you increase a treble crochet at the end of a row?
To work a treble crochet stitch right at the start of the row would look strange and would be folded downwards because of the tall height of the stitch. So do the chain of 4 first and then work in the treble crochet stitches and then the increases as needed.
How to increase treble crochet in the round?
This circle would work up the fastest because it is so tall, but there will be pretty big gaps in between each stitch. Follow the same examples for double crochet stitch pattern above but the circle might fold in or curl inwards quite a bit. Really not commonly used and definitely not used frequently for amigurumi.
Conclusion of crochet stitch increases
Hope this was useful! The many different scenarios of crochet stitches, first we started with single crochet stitch increase, in the middle of a row, end of row and in a round. Then we moved onto taller stitches, like half double crochet, double crochet and even treble crochet. Along the way, I did include some short patterns to help with illustrating the different effects different increases will have on your project. I have not even included variations of different stitches within the same row or round - like combinations of sc, hdc, dc, tr and in various amounts of increases! So remember to keep on experimenting!
Please remember to share this post or share the above image to Pinterest if you found it useful so others can learn too! Also, remember to grab my free 45-paged cheat sheet on how to crochet for beginners step by step with pictures PDF download below. It is basically a beginner printable crochet stitch guide with free printable crochet instructions for complete beginners!
Free Beginners Step-by-step Guide
Grab these 45-pages of cheat sheets that will help you with crochet stitches, magic rings, increases and decreases, FLO and BLO. Click on image on left for access!
