How to Decrease in Crochet

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 5, 2020 References

Decreases are an important part of many crochet patterns. You may need to decrease when finishing a hat, socks, or sleeves for a sweater. Decreasing in crochet requires working through 2 or 3 stitches at a time. The process will vary depending on the type of stitch you are using to crochet your project.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Crocheting 2 Single Crochet Stitches Together

1
Insert the hook into the yarn. Yarn over the hook, and then pull through. Push the hook through the next single crochet stitch in your row. Then, wrap the yarn over the hook 1 time. Pull this loop through the stitch.^{[1]
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- Work this decrease at any place in the row as long as you have 2 or more stitches available.^{[2]
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2
Repeat this sequence 1 time to pull up another loop. To crochet 2 together, pull up 1 more loop from the next stitch. Push the hook into the next stitch in the row, yarn over, and then pull this new loop through.^{[3]
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- To single crochet 3 stitches together, work this stitch 2 more times.
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3
Yarn over and pull through 3 stitches. Loop the yarn over the hook and pull this new loop through all 3 of the stitches on the hook. This will secure them together and decrease your total stitches in the row by 1.^{[4]
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- If you are single crocheting 3 together, pull through the 4 remaining stitches on the hook.
How to Choose a Type of Decrease

Keep the decreases consistent with your stitches. For example, if you are working an item in single crochet, work single crochet decreases. If you are working in double crochet, work double crochet decreases.

Crochet 2 together for most of your decreases. Crocheting 2 together will be less noticeable than crocheting 3 together, so opt for crocheting 2 together most of the time and only use crochet 3 together decreases sparingly.

Check your crochet pattern for special instructions. Your pattern might tell you exactly what type of crochet decrease to use, so be sure to check it before you get started!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Decreasing in Double Crochet

1
Double crochet until 2 loops are left on the hook. Double crochet as usual, but do not pull through the last loop. Leave it on your hook so that there are 2 loops on the hook.^{[5]
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- There will be 1 stitch on the hook when you start. Work the next double crochet until you need to pull through the last 2 stitches, but only pull through 1 stitch.
2
Yarn over, insert the hook through the next stitch, and pull through. Wrap the yarn over the hook 1 time and then push the hook into the next stitch in the row. Pull through 1 stitch.^{[6]
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- Repeat this 1 more time for the next stitch in the row or round if you are double crocheting 3 together.
3
Loop the yarn over the hook and pull through 2. Wrap the yarn over the end of the hook and pull through the next 2 loops on the hook. This will leave you with 3 loops on the hook.^{[7]
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- If you are double crocheting 3 together, you will have 4 loops left on the hook.
4
Yarn over and pull through 3 to complete the decrease. Wrap the yarn over the hook 1 time so that you have a total of 4 loops on the hook. Then, pull through all 3 of the loops behind it to double crochet 2 together.^{[8]
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- If you are double crocheting 3 together, you will have 5 stitches total. Pull the first loop through the other 4 on the hook.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Working Triple Crochet Decreases

1
Yarn over twice, insert the hook, yarn over again, and pull through 1. Yarn over 2 times before you insert the hook into the triple crochet stitch.^{[9]
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Research source} Then, insert the hook, wrap the yarn over the hook again, and then pull this loop through stitch.^{[10]
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- This will leave you with 4 loops on the hook.
2
Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull through 2 loops and repeat. Bring the working yarn over the hook. Then, pull this loop through the next 2 loops on the hook. Now there should be 2 loops left on the hook.^{[11]
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- Make sure to yarn over and pull through 2 loops 1 more time!^{[12]
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3
Yarn over, insert the hook, yarn over, and pull through 1. Wrap the yarn over the hook 1 time and then push the hook into the next stitch in the row or round. Yarn over again and then pull through 1 stitch.
- This will leave you with 5 stitches on the hook.
4
Yarn over and pull through 2 and repeat 2 times. Wrap the yarn over the hook and then pull this loop through the next 2 stitches beside it on the hook. Then, yarn over again and pull through 2 again. Yarn over 1 more time and pull through 2.^{[13]
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- This will connect 2 stitches together and leave you with 1 loop on your crochet hook.