SHAPING CROCHET
T
he world of crochet would be a very
different one without increases and
decreases – all we’d be able to make
would be flat, straight fabrics, such as
squares and scarves. By learning simple
shaping stitches, you can create all sorts of
shapes, including garments.
So what are increasing and decreasing
stitches? And how do they change the shape
of your crochet fabric? By now, you will have
made a few squares or rectangles, working
the same number of stitches on every row to
keep the sides straight.
If you work decrease stitches, you will
reduce the number of stitches in a row and
so narrow the width of the crochet fabric.
Working increase stitches will add more
stitches to a row and widen the fabric.
Decreasing and increasing will create sloped
rather than straight sides on your fabric. The
slope angle will depend on the type of
stitches you work and how often you work
them (every row, every other row, and so on)
You can work shaping stitches at the start or
end of a row, for one sloped side and one
straight side. Or you can shape at both ends
of a row for two sloped sides – great for
triangles! Or combine increases and
decreases to create more complex shapes,
such as flowers and zigzags.
As well as flat shapes, you can use shaping
stitches in the round, to create 3D shapes.
This sort of shaping is vital for making
amigurumi toys and accessories like hats or
balls. The options are almost endless!
DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES
Shaping stitches are very easy to do.
Increasing just involves working two or more
stitches into the same stitch on the row
below. Decreasing involves working a
combination of simple actions, which only
deviate slightly from working the standard
stitches that you’ve already learnt.
You can work increases and decreases in
any stitch pattern, on right side or wrong side
rows. Each type of decrease or increase
technique has a specific name or
abbreviation, so it’s easy to understand in
a pattern what you’re being asked to do.
SLOPE IN OR OUT
When you practise working decrease and
increase stitches, you’ll see how the
placement of shaping stitches will create a
different effect in your fabric, making the left
THE RUNDOWN
Get your hook at the ready for these
fab patterns from Simply Crochet
magazine! To get the issues mentioned
here, you can buy digital versions of
back issues from Apple Newsstand
to view on your iPhone and iPad or
Google Play to view them on Android
devices. For more information and to
find out which other digital platforms
are supported, take a look at the
website address below:
http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/digital
Turn to page 39 to make this
simple crochet embellishment. It
will give you the perfect chance to
practise increases and decreases.
It’s easy to make once you’ve
learned the basic techniques.
With a bit of experience in shaping
and joining, you’ll be able to make
your first garments, like this
stylish cotton vest top by designer
Annelies Baes. Turn to page 134 to
find the pattern.
A fab project from issue 87 of
Simply Crochet, this fun shark
pouffe will change up your décor or
make a great gift for friends of all
ages. It’s worked in the round using
simple increases and decreases.
DESIGN IDEAS
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SHAPING
Open up your crocheting to a whole new world of
possibilities open to you with shaping stitches.
Becky Skuse gives us the low-down on the
benefits of increasing and decreasing...
ALL ABOUT...
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