Art of Crochet by Teresa - Crochet - Double Crochet Increase - Decrease

[rubi7ros]

hi teresa, Im having trouble decreasing on a blanket im working on. It says to dc dec in the next three chains. i know how to dc dec in two, but im confused on adding the third???? I am working on a noahs ark blanket and omgosh i have undone this blanket like 80 times (not exaggerating) anyway ur help is GREATLy appreciated. THANKS

[junebug017]

My pattern says "double crochet decrease in the next 2 stitches". Does that mean I only decrease once?

[tlcinspirations]

I'm a beginner + crocheter and I know how to increase and decrease stitches, but when I crochet in a spiral (tube shape), I'm not sure WHERE to put my decreases to prevent the fabric from becoming misshapen. What's the best way to keep it even? Any help is greatly appreciated...there's NOTHING about this on the internet, that I can find :(

[tjw1963]

@tlcinspirations The best way to keep your work even is to count your stitches. That way they your work should remain the same.

[mins2midnitelp18]

I am trying to make a Winnie the Pooh shaped pillow, and it increases and decreases the whole way, but it uses single crochet stitches all the way through... How am I to increase with a single crochet???

[tjw1963]

@mins2midnitelp18 A single crochet increase is working two or more single crochet in the same stitch.

[joic81]

i was wondering does this also mean dc2tog-double crochet two stitches together? im deaf i cant here what going on sorry

[tjw1963]

@joic81 It means double crocheting two stitches together for the purpose of shaping or making something smaller. This is also the same as making a cluster of stitches too but they serve different purposes.

1. Decrease stitches together is making a segment smaller.

2.A cluster is a decorative stitch and may be worked in the same stitch.

[clmerpiam]

Wow... I just figured out why all the blankets I've made always got smaller by the time I got to the end... (I kept doing decrease stitches at the end of each row without knowing that's what I was doing.) Now I feel silly! :) Thank you sooooooo much! Your videos make everything so clear and simple to understand!

[tjw1963]

@clmerpiam I am glad that you figured it out. It is common to drop stitches on the edges. Counting your stitches on each round or row will help you keep each row even.

[kittyksa]

hi i'm kitty from saudi arabia

thanx a lot i learned crochet from you

wish you the best <3

[tjw1963]

@kittyksa Hi Kitty, I appreciate the comment! :)

[GeminiAuntie]

The part I'm confused about is with this pattern I'm doing, it says dc3tog does that mean to do three decreases in three different stitches or do I do all three into one stitch?

[tjw1963]

@GeminiAuntie My interpretation would be that you are to crochet 3 stitches together.

[gomezmindy]

Thank you, I was stuck. Your video is very clear and easy to see. Your explanations are helpful and understandable.

[zynation]

at 1:10 "the next previous double crochet" ?

[lilbeemail]

Hi Teresa, is this the same as DC 2 TOG (DOUBLE CROCHET 2 TOGETHER)? really like all your videos, btw. thanks!

[tjw1963]

@lilbeemail Thank you. A decrease can be the same as working two stitches together but with a different purpose. When you are working a cluster of stitches, you are working stitches together in the same way. The decrease is joined together at the top the same as a cluster but it is reducing stitches.

[LuvCrochet1]

For the first decrease (ch.2 instead of 3 at beginning), I normally use only a ch.2 on

the beginning of a row because I don't like the space that occurs next to the 2nd

dc of the row. I think it gives the piece a more uniform look.

[Nadinetyj]

Hi my pattern says " when beg row 2 at valley, ch3, dc dec in next 2 sts. continue in pattern. When ending row 2 at valley work pattern across to last 4 sts. dc dec in first and 3rd sts of next 3sts, dc in last st. turn." This is on a sweater pattern, (I may be too ambitious), and I don't know where to to this decrease on the 2nd row. Can you explain? Is this sufficient info?

[ROZG1]

please help...what are decreases and increases for?

[tjw1963]

You will use increases and decreases for shaping. For example you will use increases with a hat. Decreases may be used with shaping little toys.

[eak61]

My pattern is calling for dc3tog (dc decrease 2 sts) twice. Do you have video instructions for this? I think I am doing it wrong. Also, if the pattern says to (3 dc in next chain) twice. Is this another way to say three dc in each of the next two stitches?

[princessbrittney91]

i was just wondering when reading a pattern what are you supposed to be doing when they say "1st dec Rnd: *Work 8 (9,10)sts, draw up a loop in each of the next 2 sts, yo (yarn over) and through 3 loops on hook ( 1 st dec); rep from * around. Join .

2nd dec. Rnd: * Work 7 (8,9)sts, dec; rep from * around. Join." thank you for your help!

[MrsDaveP]

Hi Teresa! This question should probably go in a more general section, but I don't know where that is! I learned to crochet when I was about 6 and just now got back into it. On patterns, I'm wondering what it means when instructions are enclosed with asterisks such as *dc3tog, dc in next 3 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 3ch* 3 times. Does this mean to do the stuff enclosed in the stars three times or three times in addition to the first time? Help! I'm so confused! Thank you!

[tjw1963]

You can ask questions anywhere. The asterisks mean to repeat. With what you wrote, it would mean to repeat 3 times from the *asterisk. It can be confusing since it just says 3 times. Some authors write it to mean 3 more time after you have completed it once. Unfortunately it is a guessing game and part of what make crochet confusing. If you are making a square, you can be sure that you will complete 3 more times after the first. What are you making? Sometimes the image is helpful.

[MrsDaveP]

It was just a general question about how to read patterns and now I can't remember which pattern in particular I was referring to! Thank you so much for your quick response - I really appreciate your helpful reply! Yes, I'm doing a lot of guessing and unraveling and starting over! Your videos are great! I'm sure I'll be back in touch. Take care and thanks again, Melissa

[helbrasa]

i need the decrease part in writing my point start leaving after i get going the points aren't pointed more like a wave

[7946R]

ok thank you so much I really appreciate it.

[7946R]

First I would like to say thank you for your videos they are very helpful, but what is the purpose for increasing or decreasing when crocheting?

[tjw1963]

The purpose is for shaping. For example, when you want to make a hat, you add increases so the top will get wider and fit across the top of a head.

Decreases are used for shaping as well. I don't know if you are familiar with the ripple crochet. It is where you have valleys and peaks. At the valley's you decrease to form the valley. At the top, you increase to form the peak.

Decreases and increases are also used in making sweaters. There is a lot of shaping around the armholes.

[delac2]

thank you :)

[delac2]

how to decrease in "half double crochet" ?

[tjw1963]

For the HDC decrease you leave all 3 loops of the first stitch on the hook, then wrap the yarn over your hook, insert the hook through the next stitch, pull the yarn through. You will have 5 loops on your hook. Pull through all 5 loops for your HDC decrease.

[DustyMay1944]

Could some one show us how to crochet easy slippers and slipper socks please?

Thanks so much!

[raynmapym]

The pattern I'm working on says,Ch3;turn.Dec 1 dc in first 2 dc. How can I dec with 3 ch in beg?

[tjw1963]

What I do is decrease in the next 2 stitches after the chain 3.

[raynmapym]

Thank you!

I will try that.

[shawnhawkins]

Do you go through the loop of a stitch or under the whole loop of the stitch?

[tjw1963]

I go through both.

[needlenat]

Oh i'm so excited to find a dc dec! I am going to start a pattern and i was very confused and with the help of some awesome people on a Yahoo group they helped me out and finding this video is so exciting! I would like to see a dc 2 tog like the previous person said . Thanks a ton for your video :)

[BabyButtaCup]

this is so confusing and maybe i'm missing something but this is what it says on the net...it describes dc tog and decrease as the same thing..

dc 2 tog: work first dc but don't complete the last step, work next dc but don't complete the last step, then pull a loop through all loops on hook

so is the dc decrease the same as dc2tog?

[tjw1963]

This is a decrease stitch and they are being done together. It is a decrease. There are many ways to decrease. This is an example of one way, which is common in shaping projects.

[smartbamboo]

I just went through the decrease & increase tutorial. Hope I can bring my project in perfect shape & correct where i have gone worng.

Thanks again...

[tjw1963]

Sometimes you will double crochet two stitches together and they are joined or a cluster. The instructions in your projects should guide you in what you need to do if you are joining stitches together. I know it sounds confusing. Learn as much as you can about the crochet language so you know the differences. I apologize for taking so long to respond.

[BabyButtaCup]

is dc2tog the same as decrease?

[tjw1963]

This is a demonstration of a decrease.

[Biggestpcdfan]

Do you have a video on how to decrease with single crochet?

[tjw1963]

I am doing a star soon that show how to decrease with single crochet.

[sockerplinga]

Thanks for the help! Now I can finish my work! :D

[tjw1963]

You are welcome. :)

[Chaosisnana]

Do you know how to make fingerless gloves? How would you start out?

[tjw1963]

I have never made fingerless gloves. You would need to find a pattern.

[one8thcherokee]

This is a very well done Video.

[tjw1963]

Thank you. :)