Increasing Stitches in Crochet:  A How to Tutorial for Beginning Crocheters

Increasing Stitches in Crochet  by Janice Jones  |Published 08-27-2022

Here is a beginning skill, increasing stitches in crochet that most beginners will want to learn especially if they encounter a pattern that requires this skill.  It is not difficult but does require a new skill set that beginning crocheters need to learn or memorize. 

Much of the confusion occurs because increasing stitches is a little different depending on the type of stitches you are working.

How to Increase Stitches in Crochet

Crochet swatch showing crochet increases worked in white yarn.How to Increase Stitches in Crochet

When you make an increase in crochet, you add a stitch to the row or round.  So for example if you have 15 stitches in a row and you make one increase, you will end up with a row of 16 stitches.

Increases can be made in single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and within other stitch patterns.  Each increase is done just slightly differently but the same principles apply.  We will address each one separately.

How to Increase in Single Crochet 

Four crochet increase swatches shown: Green is single crochet, Blue is half double crochet, yellow is double crochet and white is treble crochet (US Terms)Four crochet increase swatches shown: Green is single crochet, Blue is half double crochet, yellow is double crochet and white is treble crochet (US Terms)

To increase a stitch when you are working a row of single crochet you will be making two single crochet stitches in the same space or stitch.

  • Insert the hook under both loops of the specified stitch
  • Make one single crochet stitch in the stitch or space
  • Insert your hook under both loops again of the same stitch
  • Make a second single crochet

You have just added one single crochet stitch to your row of stitches.

Abbreviations Used for Single Crochet Increases

If you read a pattern that calls for a single crochet increase, you are likely to encounter different ways to say the same thing:

inc:  Increase which means you will work two stitches in the same stitch or space.

2 sc in next st:  This means the same thing as :"Inc" above:  Work 2 single crochet stitches in the next stitch.  

sc2 in the next st:  This too means the same thing.

Crochet designers have various ways to all say the same thing when they write the instructions for their patterns.

Alternate Way to Do Single Crochet Increases

The method described above is the most common way to make a single crochet increase but there is another way that you might prefer.  In this method, you will still be making an extra single crochet stitch, but in a different location.  This method allows the two single crochet stitches to lay side by side which creates a more or less invisible increase.

  1. Work a single crochet into the back loop of the specified stitch.
  2. Work the second single crochet into both loops of the same stitch.

How to Increase a Stitch in Double Crochet

If you understood the concept of increasing in single crochet, you will be happy to know that the same method applies to double crochet.

  • Insert the hook under both loops of the specified stitch
  • Make one double crochet stitch in the stitch (or space)
  • Insert your hook under both loops again of the same stitch
  • Make a second double crochet

Remember to follow the pattern instructions as to where to make the increases.

Increasing Stitches in Crochet:  Half Double and Treble Crochet

It really doesn't matter whether you are working increases in single crochet, half-double crochet or treble crochet, the procedure is the same:

Make two stitches of the designated type into the stitch or space below.

How to Increase Stitches When Working in the Round

When crocheting in the round, each row needs to include crochet increases.When crocheting in the round, each row needs to include crochet increases.

You might encounter increases more when you are working in the round or making circles.  Increases are need to assure your circle lays flat.  The same approach applies whether you are working in circles (rounds) or rows. 

You add the extra stitch into the same space or stitch by working two of the same type of stitches into the same space.

Pattern Notes:  You might see it written as 2sc in each sc around.  This just means that you will be making two single crochet stitches in each single crochet around the circle thus doubling the number of stitches in your round. Learn more about working flat circles in crocheting in the round.

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