Start here · a little extra help
Watch the number change
An increase makes more stitches than the number of stitch tops you used. A simple increase makes two stitches into one existing stitch: one place below becomes two tops above. A decrease joins work from two or more existing stitches into fewer finished tops.
Skipping a stitch also reduces the count but can leave a hole. That is not automatically the same as the decrease your pattern asks for. Follow the named decrease, then compare the new row total with the expected number.
Your small practice goal
Mark the stitch where you increase. Count the row before and after: one simple two-in-one increase adds one stitch.
Picture it
Select the diagram to open it at full size. Use the written steps for the actual hook movements.
Words you’ll meet
No need to memorise these. Keep them nearby and look up a word whenever you need it. This guide uses UK names, with US equivalents explained.
Open the plain-English word guide · 8 terms
UK dc / US sc
UK double crochet is called single crochet in US patterns. They are the same short stitch.
Yarn over · yo / yoh
Bring the working yarn over the hook so you can catch it and pull it through a loop.
Increase · inc
Add stitches. A common increase makes two new stitches in one existing stitch.
Decrease · dec / 2tog
Reduce the count. ‘2tog’ means two together: two existing stitches are joined into one finished top.
Chain space · ch-sp
The gap beneath chains. Working into a space means entering the gap, not splitting a strand.
Amigurumi
Crocheted or knitted stuffed shapes and characters; many crochet versions use short stitches in rounds.
Repeat · rep
Do the stated group of instructions again, as many times as the pattern says.
Skip · sk
Leave the named stitch unworked and move to the next place indicated in the pattern.
Quick note: this guide uses UK crochet names. UK double crochet is US single crochet.
Increase: share one space
For a simple UK-dc increase, work two complete dc into the same stitch. You used one old stitch and made two new ones. That adds one to the count. Spread increases where the pattern says; stacking them can make visible corners.
Decrease: bring two together
- Insert into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop: two loops on the hook.
- Insert into the following stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop: three loops.
- Yarn over and pull through all three. Two old stitches have become one UK dc2tog (US sc2tog).
Do the little bit of maths
Start with 12 stitches. Six repeats of ‘1 dc, increase’ use all 12 and make 18. To reduce 18 to 12, work six repeats of ‘1 dc, dc2tog’. Count the stitches consumed as well as the stitches made. Try this on scrap yarn before using shaping in a precious project.
Sources & further learning
Original Crochet By Micky practice notes. See the linked lessons for the underlying techniques.
Checked 24 October 2026. Written in UK terms, with US equivalents where useful. Follow a project's own stitch key if it differs. These are original explanations and practice exercises, not copies of the linked publishers' patterns.