Crochet - Double Crochet Increase - Decrease

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!

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!

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.

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

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

ok thank you so much I really appreciate it.

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?

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.

thank you :)

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.