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How-To Crochet (page 4 of 4)
materials source: Craft Yarn Council of America

Increasing (inc)
To increase stitches:
1. One Stitch - work two stitches into one stitch.
2. Single or half-double crochet, beginning of the row - work twice into
the first stitch.
3. Single or half-double crochet, end of row - work two stitches into the
last stitch of the previous row.
4. Double of triple crochet, beginning of the row - work into the first stitch.
5. Double or triple crochet, end of row - work 2 stitches into the top of
the turning chain.

Decreasing (dec)
To decrease single and half-double crochet:

crochet instructions
1. Insert hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull yarn through.
learn to crochet
2. Instead of completing the sc, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through for 3 loops on hook.
crochet stitches
3. Yarn over and pull yarn through all 3 loops. One decrease (dec) is made.

To decrease double crochet:

how to crochet
1. Work the first dc until only 2 loops are on the hook.
crochet instructions
2. Yarn over, place hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook).
learn to crochet
3. Yarn over, pull yarn through all 3 loops for a completed decrease.

Joining A New Yarn
When making a project needing more than one ball of yarn, add at the end
of the rows so joining is not visible. This method should also be used
when changing colors at the end of a row.

how to crochet
1. Crochet to the last stitch of the row.
2. When the final 2 loops of the last stitch are on the hook, drop the old yarn.
3. Draw up a loop with the new yarn to complete the last stitch.
Be sure to leave at least 3" on both the old and new yarns to secure and weave in later.

Fastening Off
To end your work, cut the yarn leaving at least a 3" tail. Draw the yarn
through the last loop; tighten gently. This will prevent unraveling.

crochet stitches
learn to crochet
Weave in the tail as shown in the diagram to the right.
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