SHAPING CROCHET
W
orking double crochet
decreases is just as easy as
working increases. There are
two main methods.
Some patterns use the quick decrease
method, where you’ll be instructed to ‘skip a
stitch’ – this means you need to leave the
next stitch unworked, while you proceed to
work into the following stitch. This quick
method works well, but it will leave a small
hole in the fabric – if that’s the effect you
want, that’s fine.
If you want a solid fabric, however, you’ll
need to work a decrease that’s usually
called dc2tog in patterns (shown below).
Working either of these methods once in
a row will reduce your stitch count by one.
You can decrease at any point along the
row, but you’ll create different effects by
working decreases in the centre of the row,
or at the start or end of the row.
You can practise decreasing on a small
swatch of dc fabric so you can see how the
decreases will affect your pattern.
DOUBLE CROCHET
DECREASE
Here’s how to decrease one double crochet stitch in a row
RIGHT-HAND
3
Now complete both dc stitches together by
working yrh and pull this loop through all 3
loops on the hook.
4
Your finished dc2tog should look like this.
You will have decreased one stitch. On
subsequent rows, you can work a stitch into the
top of the dc2tog stitch, as usual.
1
Start by inserting the hook under the top two
loops of the next stitch on the previous row.
Begin to work a double crochet stitch in the
usual way, working yrh and pull loop through
(2 loops on hook)
2
Without finishing the first dc, begin the next
dc by inserting the hook in the next stitch on
the previous row. Again, work yrh and pull loop
through (3 loops on hook).
If you’re right-handed, follow these steps for a perfect dc2tog...