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Many crochet projects call for a decrease of the number of stitches. It can be for various reasons: to form a neckline or an armhole on a sweater, create a triangle shawl, or shape the head or body of an amigurumi toy. You will find that many amigurumi crochet patterns use this type of decrease.
While regular decrease stitches like DC2TOG or HDC2TOG are the ones that are often used in these cases, when it comes to amigurumi projects specifically, an Invisible Decrease is a preferred method.
What is an Invisible Decrease
An Invisible Decrease in crochet is a way to reduce the number of stitches on a crochet fabric without any visible bumps or holes.
Classic normal decrease methods like SC2TOG, HDC2TOG, or DC2TOG sometimes leave a noticeable bump where 2 stitches are combined into 1 (like in the case of HDC2TOG), or visible gaps (like in the case of DC2TOG).
While in a larger piece a traditional decrease might be ok, in small, shaped projects like amigurumi toys, it’s not desirable. There is a better way of making a decrease in these cases.
The Invisible Crochet is the best method to decrease in amigurumi and stuffed toys. It lets you shape the toy the way you need, while leaving a smooth surface like nothing ever happened.
To make this decrease work, the crochet is worked similar to normal single crochet but into the front loops only. Because of that, the invisible decrease is really only used in amigurumi where we see only the right side of the crochet.
As a reminder, each stitch in crochet has two loops that we usually crochet under. Sometimes, for design or decrease purposes, we can work under the back loop or the front loop of the stitch.
In the case of an invisible decrease, we are working under the front loop of the stitches that are being decreased.
Where the Invisible Decrease is Used
Because the Invisible Decrease is worked into only one of the loops and only in some spots, it’s recommended for it to be used in the project where you only see the right side of the project.
The best projects to use the Invisible Decrease in are toys, stuffed animals and other forms of amigurumi. Because this type of decrease is used so often in amigurumi, when the pattern calls for decrease, assume it means the invisible decrease.
Things to remember about Invisible Decrease
- It is crocheted like single crochet stitches but it is done by crocheting into front loops only.
- Best when used in stuffed toys or amigurumi.
- Once the invisible decrease is done, the result is counted as 1 SC.
- As the name implies, doing an invisible decrease reduces the number of stitches in the row by 1 every time it’s done.
How to Crochet an Invisible Single Crochet Decrease
Insert your crochet hook into the Front Loop of the first stitch (where you need to make the decrease), then insert the hook into the Front Loop Only of the next stitch after that.
Yarn over and pull the loop through. You have 3 loops on the hook.
Yarn over and draw through first 2 loops. You have 2 loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops left on the hook.
(see step by step photo tutorials below)
And done!
If you need to make another consecutive decrease, you repeat the steps again.
Insert hook into the Front Loop of the next stitch (from the bottom up), then insert the hook into the Front Loop Only of the next stitch after that (from the bottom up as well).
Yarn over and pull the loop through. You have 3 loops on the hook.
Yarn over and draw through first 2 loops. You have 2 loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through 2 loops left on the hook.
After the decrease is done, crochet as usual under both loops (unless the pattern specifies otherwise).
Once you need to decrease again, use the invisible decrease under the front loops only, then you can crochet under both loops again.
Here is a helpful video tutorial of how to make this type of decrease:
The Invisible Decrease is one of those cool tricks you can have in your pocket as a crocheter. You might not use it every day or in any project, but it surely comes in handy when you need to create a crochet fabric that is smooth without any visible bumps or holes. While the standard decrease method may serve you in most of the projects, the Invisible Decrease is a great method to keep in mind when working on projects with smaller, smoother surfaces.
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