Tutorials >
Crochet > Decreasing: Working Stitches Together -
sc2tog, hdc2tog, dc2tog, etc...
Working stitches together is required for shaping work; the technique is also
used for a decorative effect in the fabric. The concept is simple:
work a single stitch across multiple stitches so that many stitches are reduced
to one.
Pattern Abbreviation:
sc2tog, hdc2tog, dc2tog, etc.... |
The techniques shown below can be extrapolated so that more than 2 stitches
can be worked together. (sc3tog, etc...)
The photos below show 2 stitches worked together. The same principles
that are illustrated below can be used to stitch 3, 4 or even more stitches
together, however the more stitches that are worked together, the more attention
that needs to be paid to avoid puckering the fabric.
Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together (sc2tog):
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Step 1: Begin the
single crochet stitch
as usual - Insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over and draw through a
loop.
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Step 2: Instead of completing the stitch,
insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over then draw through a loop (3
loops on hook).
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Step 3: Yarn over and draw yarn through all 3
loops on the hook. Two stitches have now become one.
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Half Double Crochet 2 Stitches Together (hdc2tog):
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Step 1: Begin the
half double crochet
stitch as usual; Yarn over hook (wrap yarn from back
to front around the hook) once just below hook opening.
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Step 2: Instead of closing the stitch,
insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through. (5
loops on hook)
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Step 3: Yarn over and pull yarn through all
loops on hook. Two hdc stitches have now become one. |
Double Crochet 2 Stitches Together (dc2tog):
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NOTE: Although you can decrease using the technique we illustrate in
clusters for dc2tog
and taller stitches, an
alternative method of decreasing is shown below for dc2tog where instead of joining the
stitches at the top, they are joined at the bottom.
Step 1: Begin the
double crochet stitch
as usual; Yarn over hook (wrap yarn from back
to front around the hook) once just below hook opening.
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Step 2: Instead of closing the stitch,
insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull a loop through. (5
loops on hook)
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Step 3: Yarn over and pull yarn through the
first four loops so
that 2 loops remain on the hook.
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Step 4: Yarn over and pull yarn through the the
remaining loops on hook. Two double crochet stitches have now become
one. |