Single Crochet Decrease
There are a few ways to eliminate a stitch when working a single crochet fabric. One of the most effective and easiest is the “single crochet decrease.” A single crochet decrease is usually abbreviated as “sc dec”, but a pattern may also say to “single crochet the next 2 stitches together”, aka “sc 2 tog”.
A big advantage of the single crochet decrease over simply skipping a stitch (which serves the same purpose of decreasing 1 stitch) is that it doesn’t leave a hole in the fabric. That’s good news! So here’s how you do it…
Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over.
Pull a loop through so that there are now two loops on the hook.
Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 3 loops on the hook.
Yarn over again…
…and pull the loop through all 3 loops on the hook.
And that’s all there is to the single crochet decrease!
Thanks so much for sharing, tha best tutorial on how to du ah single crochet decrease.
Hello Tina!
We’re so glad you enjoyed out tutorial! Keep up the good work! -Alyson
I am learning how to crochet your right this is so easy
easy peasy lemon squeezey
Should I see spaces between my sch decs?
Hello Rhonda,
Thanks for writing in! There shouldn’t be a hole in your single crochet decrease. You might be getting a “hole” because you are using a large crochet hook. Try pulling the stitches tightly. This might resolve some of the gapping as well.
Best,
Adam
i have found a less bulky, more “invisible” sc decrease. to work it, insert your hook in the front loop of the next stitch. do NOT pull up a loop. insert your hook into front loop of the NEXT stitch. there are three loops on the hook: the initial loop, and the two front loops of the two stitches to be worked together. now yarn over hook, and pull up a single loop through BOTH of those front loops on your hook. two loops on hook. yarn over hook, and pull through two. the stitch is really almost invisible. 🙂
Would you have any patterns for crocheted lace edging for tea towels or pillow cases?
Hi Rollene,
Thanks for writing in! We do not currently have any lace-like crochet edging patterns on the website but there are some fabulous YouTube tutorials out there and some “stichionaries” that are packed with great examples and suggestions. Best of luck on the hunt!
-Adam
rnd 13 says *dec, 4 sc * (30) rnd 14 says *3 sc , dec * (24) does it mean the same thing ?
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the question. The decreases in this pattern mean the same thing but you are doing less SC as you continue your rounds. Best of luck.
-Adam
When a pattern says: to single crochet dec in the next 3 single crochet stitches what does this mean?
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for the question. I hope I can answer you correctly without having the pattern in front of me. I think the pattern is telling you to do a Sc3tog. You’ll insert your hook, yarn over and pull though in the next three stitches and then do one more yarn over and pull through all of your stitches. I hope I’ve answered your question!
-Adam
Excellent explanation. Easy to follow and understand.
Agree with Gina! Thanks so much for the tutorial. Very easy to follow. Have been crocheting for quite some time but have decided to start doing more intricate stuff – it was time. I immediately I got stuck on how to do a Sc dec – I came here and got a direct answer with straight forward photos. Again thanks for sharing.
A fantastic tutorial, thank you! I know my way around knitting by now, but I’m still a crochet beginner. I’ve always wondered how to decrease stitches and this tutorial is helping me crochet an amigurumi bear. Thanks also to Melly for the even more invisible decrease. 🙂
What does it mean to si when decreasing.
Ssi 1dec =36
4si 1dec =30
3 si 1 dec =24
Etc
I can’t work it out
Hi Melanue,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately I’m unfamiliar with that abbreviation so I can’t say for sure! Are you working from a Purl Soho pattern? It’s quite common for crochet patterns to use special stitches that were created for individual patterns, so I would recommend checking the stitch guide for your pattern to see if there are any extra instructions.
Best,
Julianna
Omg thank you so much. I’ve been learning a project on the fly and it’s been a nightmare. It took me almost 5 hours to get 8 rounds down and all of the sudden it tells me to decrease and the instructions haven’t been clear. You’re the best!
Hello..so I’m crocheting a unicorn an one of the rows says 10 sc, dec…what does that mean??
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like your pattern is telling you to work 10 single crochet stitches in a row, and then work a decrease stitch. You can use the single crochet decrease, which is what this tutorial is on!
All the best,
Lili
You said there’s a few ways but you only listed one what are some other ways besides just skipping the stitch?
Hi Roberta,
Thanks for reaching out! This post demonstrates an alternative to simply skipping over a stitch: the single crochet decrease. We prefer the single crochet decrease over skipping a stitch because it doesn’t leave a hole in the fabric!
All the best,
Lili