Learning how to increase in crochet is an important skill that helps you add stitches, shape your projects, and create smooth curves. Whether you’re making amigurumi, hats, sleeves, circles, or other crochet patterns, increasing stitches allows you to gradually widen your work and build the shape you need.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you the basic crochet increase: making 2 stitches into the same stitch. Work the first stitch as usual, then insert your hook back into that same stitch and make a second stitch. That’s it! Follow along with the step-by-step instructions below to practice this simple technique and add another useful crochet skill to your toolkit!
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How to Increase in Crochet
Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn (or any yarn weight)
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
- Start with your foundation row or crochet project. You’ll add an increase (inc) where your pattern tells you to, or wherever you want your work to get wider.For this tutorial, we made a row of chains and worked 1 single crochet into each ch across.
- To begin the inc, make the first st as usual. Here we worked 1 sc into the last st of the previous row.An inc doesn’t have to be made with sc, though. You can inc with whatever st your pattern is using, such as half double crochet, double crochet, or treble crochet.
- A crochet inc means working 2 sts into the same st. So after making the first st, insert your hook back into the same st where you just made the sc.(To find the right spot, look for the base of the V shape from the st you just made. If you gently pull up on the finished stitch, you should see the opening underneath it move or get a little bigger. Insert your hook back into that same opening to make the second st.)
- Make another sc into that same st, or use whatever st your pattern calls for.That’s it! You’ve completed an increase. You started with 1 st from the previous row and turned it into 2 sts in the new row.
- Here’s what a whole row of inc sts looks like.You can see how more sts in the row are changing the shape of the project and making it wider.
Helpful Tips:
- Wanting to learn how to crochet or looking to brush up on your crochet skills? Check out our crochet basics guides for instructions on how to make crochet stitches and techniques!
- Keep your tension relaxed. Increases can feel a little crowded because you’re working 2 stitches into the same spot. Try not to pull the second stitch too tight, or it may be harder to work into those stitches on the next row.
- Use a stitch marker if your increases need to go in a specific spot. This is especially helpful when working in rounds, shaping amigurumi, or following a pattern with repeated increases.
Crochet Abbreviations & Terms:
This post uses standard US crochet terms. Here’s what each abbreviation means:
ch(s) = chain(s)
inc = increase
sc = single crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
What is a crochet increase?
In crochet, an increase means working more than 1 of the same stitch into the same stitch or space. One basic increase in a round or row will add 1 stitch to your total stitch count.
How do you make the crochet increase stitch?
Wherever your pattern calls for an increase, follow these basic steps:
- Work 1 stitch.
- Insert your hook back into the base of the same stitch.
- Work 1 more stitch in that same spot.
That’s it! You’ve made a crochet increase.
When should you use an increase in crochet?
The most basic answer is to use a crochet increase whenever your pattern tells you to increase. The pattern will usually say something like “inc” or “2 sc in next st,” depending on the stitch being used.
Increases are used to adjust the shape of a crochet project by adding more stitches. They can help make a piece wider, create shapes like circles and triangles, form parts of stuffed animals and amigurumi, or shape clothing and wearables.
Increases are often used together with decreases to control the overall shape of a project: increasing makes the work wider or larger, while decreasing makes it smaller or narrower.
Can you increase with different crochet stitches?
Yes, you can increase with almost any crochet stitch. The method is the same: work 2 stitches into the same stitch. You can make a single crochet increase, half double crochet increase, double crochet increase, or other stitch increase depending on your pattern.
The stitch you use will generally determine how many increases you do in a row or round, especially when making a circle.
How many stitches does an increase add?
A standard crochet increase adds 1 stitch to your total stitch count. You start with 1 stitch from the previous row or round and work 2 stitches into it, giving you 2 stitches in the new row or round.
For example, if you’re making a single crochet circle you’ll generally start with 6 sc in the first round. Then the pattern might say to “inc around” for the second round, meaning you’ll make 2 sc in each stitch around. This results in a stitch count of 12 sc for round 2.
Learning how to increase in crochet is a simple but important skill that you’ll use in all kinds of projects. Once you understand how to work 2 stitches into the same stitch, it becomes much easier to follow crochet patterns, shape your work, and adjust your stitch count with confidence.
Practice your increase stitches on a small swatch, then try using them in rows, rounds, and beginner crochet patterns. With a little practice, increasing will start to feel like a natural part of crocheting!
Use the inc st in these crochet patterns:
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