A decrease (dec) means turning two stitches into one. It’s how you make your amigurumi pieces smaller and shape them in.

How to crochet a decrease (dec)

Watch the lesson

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1
Step 2

Make a single crochet (sc):

Begin a single crochet (sc) in the next stitch - follow the single crochet (sc) lesson, steps 1–3 (insert your hook, yarn over, pull through). Stop there: you’ll have two loops on your hook.

And another single crochet (sc):

Begin another single crochet (sc) in the next stitch the same way. You’ll now have three loops on your hook.

Step 3
Step 4

Yarn over once more.

Pull through all three loops:

Pull the yarn through all three loops. You now have one loop left - and that completes one decrease (dec)!

That's a decrease - two stitches becoming one. With increases and decreases together, you can shape almost any amigurumi. We're right here with you every step of the way.

You've got it when: Two stitches close into one without a gap, and your count matches the pattern.