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Ravelry: June
FlickrInvisible Decrease
If you’ve been making amigurumi, you may be lamenting the gap or bump that forms when you decrease. The standard methods of decreasing are to sc2tog, which can leave a bit of a bump and a small gap, or to skip a stitch, which leaves an obvious gap. There has to be a better way… and there is! The invisible decrease really is as good as its name claims – it’s almost impossible to see, even if you know what you’re looking for. (See my blog post for a comparison of these three methods.)
The invisible decrease method will probably take a few attempts to master, but, just like the magic ring, it’s one of those techniques that’s so good, you’ll wonder how you ever crocheted without it!
Invisible Decrease for right-handers
Before we begin:
Insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch (2 loops on hook). DO NOT YARN OVER:
Insert the hook into the front loop of the next stitch. To do this, you’ll need to swing the hook down first so you can insert the hook under the front loop. (3 loops on hook):
Swing hook down…
…then up through the front loop of the next stitch
Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on the hook. (2 loops on hook):
Yarn over and draw through both loops on the hook. Invisible decrease completed:
Now let’s play a game: spot the decrease…
Good, huh? Give it a go with your next ami – I promise you won’t regret it…
Invisible Decrease for left-handers
Before we begin:
Insert the hook into the front loop of the first stitch (2 loops on hook). DO NOT YARN OVER:
Insert the hook into the front loop of the next stitch. To do this, you’ll need to swing the hook down first so you can insert the hook under the front loop. (3 loops on hook):
Swing hook down…
…then up through the front loop of the next stitch
Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on the hook. (2 loops on hook):
Yarn over and draw through both loops on the hook. Invisible decrease completed:
Now let’s play a game: spot the decrease…
Good, huh? Give it a go with your next ami – I promise you won’t regret it…
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Josefin Said,
February 13, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Oh, this was easy! I mean, hello! Where have my brain been all this time?!
Thank you for a good tut June, I will do this next time I make an amigurumi!
Sonia Said,
February 13, 2009 @ 11:32 am
This is my favorite “aha!” thank you thank you for this great tutorial
) no more strange loops in my yarny friends (does that word exists? I don´t think so, but I don´t speak English very well, and I like to invent words)
)
Cheers!
Sonia
Škrabalica Said,
February 13, 2009 @ 11:46 am
I recently made some hearts using both usual metods, and I wasn’t pleased with results. Then I start looking for something invisible
Thank you for this!
EclatDuSoleil Said,
February 13, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
Thank you June! A really interesting solution, I make a link from my blog.
Anna Said,
February 13, 2009 @ 7:55 pm
I love you.
laughing purple goldfish Said,
February 13, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
hmmmm…. it all seems a bit too easy really, doesn’t it?
thanks for sharing this method, I’ll certainly be using it from now on… and will be linking to your blog when I do
much appreciated
Aveen Said,
February 15, 2009 @ 5:22 am
In all the time I’ve been crocheting I’ve never even heard of this but I really wish I had! I can’t wait to try it out. Thanks
Tirzah Said,
February 15, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
This is wonderful! Thank you so much!
eve Said,
February 15, 2009 @ 11:30 pm
What can I say! GenioUs..
xox
lolagurumi Said,
February 16, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
Great idea! Look forward to using it
How would you replace this in a pattern written using dec/sc2tog?
Would one invdec equal one of those? Usually I eyeball that kind of stuff, because the pattern direction never turn out nicely. note: i haven’t used one of your patterns yet
Thanks
Lola
June Said,
February 16, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
Lola: yep, it’s just a straight substitution. 1 dec/sc2tog = 1 invdec. Easy peasy!
Samantha Said,
February 18, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
:O *stares in amazement*
i wish i had known about this when i crocheted my boyfriend a big big heart for valentine’s day! the bottom came out looking like swiss cheese, there were so many decreases! i guess next time it’ll look a lot better
Maryann Said,
February 20, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Thanks for the decrease, and THANKS for showing a lefty version! It’s nice not having to reverse the photos in my head.
becky Said,
February 20, 2009 @ 11:38 am
oh my this is amazing i have been wondering how to hide my decreases, this would also work for when I am making beanies and things.. so amazing
futuregirl Said,
February 22, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
This is wonderful! I’m so happy to learn about this technique! Thank you for taking the time to put together such a thorough tutorial for us.
Krista Said,
February 24, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
I found your blog yesterday. What a find.
Izabela Said,
February 28, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
thank you for this fantastic tutorial, I just can`t believe this is so easy… just used your explanation to do a decrease with double crochet stitches and it looks so much better! great! thanks again!
Annessa Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 8:01 am
Thanks alot. Just try it out, is so great, no more big and visible holes!!!
Me a leftie, really appreciate extra tutorial for leftie.
XOXO
Bethel King Said,
March 6, 2009 @ 6:48 am
Thanks so much for including the left-handed directions as well as the right!
curegirl0421 Said,
March 6, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Thanks June!! I’m about to get started on a Cthulu (because why not, I ask you) and this will be so handy! Plus, getting through that font loop when it’s down to just a few stitches is so much easier than trying to wrestle into both parts of the stitch…
Of course my gauge is like IRON, so that could just be me.
Hazel Furst Said,
March 13, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
Wow!
Maryangela Said,
April 25, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
Hi, June!
Thank you so much for this tute. It’s like you’ve changed my life =D
So I’m a linking to your post and hope other people will be as happy as I am after learning how to invisible decrease!
Izzy Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 2:40 am
i was wondering, do you have to put it through the front loop or can you put it through both loops (by it i mean the hook)]
other than that….omg! i always have GIANT holes at the bottom of my projects!! yay!! i can fix that now
June Said,
May 7, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Izzy, when you try it you’ll see it’s actually a lot easier if you go through just the front loops to make this stitch. Flipping the hook down to go up through the second stitch would be pretty difficult to do if you’ve gone through both loops, plus it would make the stitch bulkier and less ‘invisible’!
Izzy Said,
May 7, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
oh, ok then. does that mean i have to crochet in the front loops for my entire project?
June Said,
May 8, 2009 @ 7:36 am
Izzy, no it doesn’t mean that
Crochet in both loops as usual; it’s just the decrease stitches that you make in the front loops. Think of it like this: you’re still going through 2 loops as with a normal stitch; it’s just that the loops are side by side instead of one behind the other: that’s what makes this decrease stitch so invisible.
Jen Said,
May 15, 2009 @ 10:46 am
WOW WOW WOW Thanks so much! Pure GENIUS!
sukigirl Said,
June 28, 2009 @ 9:02 am
I had just finished ripping back part of a head on an amigurumi (since I wasn’t happy with the decreases) when I remembered this tutorial.
I tried it and I’m so happy with the difference it makes to my project!
Thanks so much!!!
pomarrancza Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Thank You soooo much!!!!!!!!!! I hated the decrease loops.
beadfreak Said,
July 12, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
Loved this and your tut for the magic ring. These are my new new replacements for slip stitch to form a ring and sc2togs!!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!
Reba Said,
July 22, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
I am so thankful for this. I’ve always hated the space you can see in the skipping a sc! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!
Artesanica Said,
August 29, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
que bueno lo explicas yo no lo sabia hacer y me daba bronca cuando disminuia que queden esos huecos.
Gracias.
Brandon Said,
November 7, 2009 @ 4:33 am
Thanks very much! This problem has been vexing me for weeks; this front-loop decrease technique works beautifully!
liz shinagawa Said,
December 12, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Brilliant…this makes all the difference in the world to the finished look of my work. Thank you for sharing.
Liz
Estella Said,
December 22, 2009 @ 12:48 am
Thank you for such a detailed tutorial. You have saved me from so many frustrations. I’ve always hated how you could see the stuffing using the other techniques.
Inbaliya Said,
December 28, 2009 @ 2:48 am
Thanks for a very good tutorial. With your blog, crochet seems easy than ever!
Bibbi Said,
January 11, 2010 @ 4:18 am
WoW! That’s great! Thanx a lot!
Tana Goen Said,
January 15, 2010 @ 12:50 am
Been crocheting for years, never used the invisible decrease….it is the best thing I have ever learned.
Sonja Said,
January 20, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
I love you! I just discovered that my past attempts at invisible decrease were wrong-oh so wrong! Now thanks to you, I have seen the light and got it. No stopping me now. Thanks so much.
Akua Said,
January 21, 2010 @ 5:18 pm
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Love it. looks so much better on my dolls!
Invisible decrease (imported) « Charlotte's Amigurumi Said,
January 24, 2010 @ 8:17 am
[...] This is the technique most widely recommended and recognized as the invisible decrease. A clear description – with images – is given on planetjune.com. [...]
Ann Byron Said,
February 1, 2010 @ 7:56 pm
Let me add my thanks too. I also appreciate the clear instructions
Shippymolkfred Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 10:16 am
Thanks for this great tutorial.
I will test this immediately!
Greetings from Scotland
Schippymolkfred
allierwill Said,
February 23, 2010 @ 11:15 pm
Oh, my gosh! I love that you put the pictures in. I’ve seen directions and other tutorials for this technique and couldn’t figure it out. you make it so much less confusing. Thanks!
Ashley Said,
April 6, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Wow! That’s pretty incredible! Thanks for sharing! I’ll definitely give it a shot next time =D
PlanetJune by June Gilbank » mega whale Said,
April 23, 2010 @ 11:15 am
[...] and so as the stitches increase in size, the holes between your stitches also become larger. So the invisible decrease was absolutely invaluable for preventing a giant sized gap or bump at every decrease point, and [...]
Sally Said,
May 26, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
Hi June
Thought I was doing something wrong with the invisible decrease, just didn’t look as if it was invisible!!!!
Should of checked your fantastic tutorial sooner ( pictures say a thousand words don’t they)
I now know where I went wrong.
Thanks also for the great designs, here in England were lucky to find ANY crochet patterns,( they’re either 1970s or baby cardigans) never mind up to date ones.
THANKS AGAIN Sally
Pencil, paper and ideas | Chocolate Mints In a Jar Said,
June 3, 2010 @ 10:06 am
[...] 7 : *1 invisible decrease, 1 sc in next stitch* (12 [...]
Nata Said,
June 13, 2010 @ 2:47 pm
This method is amazing – the best ever for making a decrease!! Thanks for sharing with us
Leah Said,
July 22, 2010 @ 3:12 am
When I read an internet blip somewhere that said ‘invisible decrease for amigurumi’ I thought Yeah! Right! We will see about that! (I am a natural skeptic btw) I do have to admit, you have done it. This is great. I have always disliked the way the traditional decreases look and this definatly solves that. And thanks for posting the left handed version (I do get tired of having to look at things backwards). Thank you for proving my sarcastic, snide comments wrong! Now I just have to go back and rip appart and redo all the Amigurumi I have made before learning your technique.
Frida Said,
September 7, 2010 @ 7:49 am
I LOVE YOU! Thank you for helping me with something that will make my amigurumis beautiful so that I won’t ever get tired of them looking awkward!
You just saved the Fridagurumi species! ?
Jessica Said,
September 24, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
This is a revelation – thank you so much June! My amigurumis will all be done using this technique now
tiny crochet ball pattern : julie kundhi Said,
October 11, 2010 @ 10:07 pm
[...] made, especially on the navy ball. You could see the white stuffing! Then I remembered this invisible decrease from Planet June. Problem [...]
Tania Said,
November 16, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
I found this helpful morsel via crochetme from Kim Werker….thanks so much! I am going to try this out for my next project. It looks terrific.
OT….what is the best yarn to use for amigurumis? I love that yarn you are using above..and I have only used yarns I have on hand..as I have to budget. If you need to point me in the right direction to read more on that, that’d be fabulous.
June Said,
November 16, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Hi Tania, I don’t use any ‘special’ (i.e. expensive) yarns for my amigurumi. Most amigurumi are made with worsted weight yarn. I like the ‘soft’ acrylics best; you can find them in any big craft store and they aren’t too expensive (especially if you have a coupon, or wait for a sale): Bernat Satin, Red Heart Soft and Caron Simply Soft all have that nice sheen to them, are nice and soft to work with, and make very pretty amigurumi.
The other yarn I like, even though doesn’t have that sheen or softness (although it’s still softer than traditional ‘cheap & nasty’ acrylics) is Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice. It comes in amazing colours and it’s a little thicker than other worsted weight yarns, which makes for a good firm structure. You can see the difference if you compare, say, my AmiDogs (Bernat Satin) with my Dinosaurs (Vanna’s Choice).
I’ve just written a whole book of amigurumi information like this; if you’re interested, it’s called The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Amigurumi
Caz from Never Knew Said,
November 23, 2010 @ 9:15 pm
This is fantastic! I’ve never heard of this method, and I’m so glad that I’ve found your blog and these great instructions! Thank you SO MUCH!
Caz
Za Said,
December 18, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
WOW!!!
Virkarkivet - När du vill ha ALL hjälp samlat på ett ställe... - Saannis Virkskola - Ökning & Minskning Said,
January 10, 2011 @ 9:26 am
[...] Finns på PlanetJune – Engelsk förklaring hur du går tillväga. Kommentarer (0) Kommentarer [...]
Dianne Unterbrink Said,
January 12, 2011 @ 6:43 pm
I cannot thank you enough for this tidbit of EXTREMELY valuable info,!! So many times, so many less-than-invisible results. But now, thanks to you, my projects can look more professional than I ever dreamed possible. You are my new best friend!!
jess Said,
January 24, 2011 @ 10:07 pm
So clever! Thanks for this tuturial.
ShirinElric Said,
January 26, 2011 @ 1:24 am
Omg!! I was already getting frustrated by the wholes…
Thank you so much!!! I really needed this
Amanda Said,
January 26, 2011 @ 6:06 pm
How is it I’ve crocheted for decades and never heard of this??? Thank you sooooo much for sharing! You’re right, this will definitely be my go-to decrease method (just like magic ring is my go-to starter). Thank you!!!
Lori Said,
January 30, 2011 @ 5:08 pm
I have crocheted for over 40 years and never knew this Invisible Decrease. I am working on a project today, tried the decrease method above and it looks flawless. Just goes to show you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.
Thank you for sharing,
Lori
First Crochet Projects – Toys | It's Not Spaghetti Said,
February 2, 2011 @ 4:10 pm
[...] This also introduced me to the fantastic invisible decrease technique from planet june (found here: Invisible Decrease), and which I’ll use on everything that I can from now on! I crochetted this using a 4.5mm [...]
Emily Said,
February 3, 2011 @ 5:40 am
This technique is fantastic! I’ve linked to it from my blog – I hope you don’t mind! Thanks for writing all your great tutorials, your site is really helping me get into having more satisfying fun with crochet! Em xxx
June Said,
February 3, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
Yay, I’m glad you’re finding my site helpful, Em, and of course I don’t mind you linking to me! In fact, thank you for doing so
Talia Said,
February 28, 2011 @ 5:40 am
I think I’m the only person on here who can’t do this stitch. I am following directions exactly but still getting a noticible bump each decrease. Do u know what I could be doing wrong? Lol it’s driving me batty that I can’t get them neat! Love your site by the way
June Said,
March 5, 2011 @ 8:32 pm
Hmm, well without seeing your work it’s hard to say, but I have a couple of ideas for why it may be bumpy:
Good luck!
Ana Said,
April 17, 2011 @ 8:41 am
Thank you for remembering us left-handers!! It is a pretty awesome decrease.
Amigurumi | Pattern | Tutorial | | Free Pattern & Tutorial at CraftPassion.com Said,
May 5, 2011 @ 5:02 pm
[...] [?] – single crochet decrease (invisible crochet is a better choice to prevent hole forming, photo tutorial, video) ch [?] – chain slst [ • ] – slip stitch Choice Of Yarn & Hook Size Read [...]
Jaki Said,
May 5, 2011 @ 6:35 pm
This is brilliant – thank you
SuellotoSlesk Said,
May 22, 2011 @ 2:09 am
baie interessant, dankie
micheline laplaine Said,
May 23, 2011 @ 2:24 am
hello ! bonjour
it is always agreable to discover many ideas to work, thanks to persons like you, thank you very much.
en français : c’est toujours agréable de découvrir les nombreux conseils que vous donnez, merci beaucoup. micheline from paris france
15 vinkkiä amigurumin tekemiseen « Toisen kerroksen tyttö Said,
May 25, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
[...] Näkymätön kavennus toimii kohdissa, joissa molemmat puolet virkatusta työstä eivät ole esillä (esimerkiksi yleensä nurja puoli menee amigurumin sisälle piiloon). Hyvän kuvallisen ohjeen näkymättömän kavennuksen tekemiseen löydät PlanetJune-blogista. [...]
Blaize Said,
May 27, 2011 @ 4:26 am
As with the magic circle, which I did have trouble with I will admit, it makes absolutely no sense to learn a different, inferior, technique and then have to retrofit oneself with better options that are no more difficult than the less-satisfactory ones. The magic circle, the invisible decrease. I have been crocheting for only a couple years, and have only made crocheted creatures for less than one, but I do NOT understand why these are not standard in every pattern, taught at every juncture, and considered foundational, rather than extra frills or tricks one learns later, after struggling with problems one has no idea how to solve. Brava! and thank you.
Thea Said,
May 30, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
Just found your tutorial. Thank you so much! I’ve been making little baby balls and they were looking very gappy.
Thea Said,
May 30, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
Yup. That works great and very easy. Thanks!
sally Said,
June 25, 2011 @ 9:59 am
OMG thats fantastic you have changed my crocheting for ever!!!
I always hated the way the decreases made my ami’s look, thank you, thank you, thank you
x
Julie Said,
August 15, 2011 @ 12:50 pm
I’ve been struggling with the ugly gaps in sc2tog for years… glad I finally thought to look for an alternative. Thank you thank you!!
Invisible Single-Crochet Decrease - Kim Werker's Blog - Crochet Me Said,
August 25, 2011 @ 3:12 pm
[...] over at Planetjune has a great tutorial for how to make an invisible decrease in single crochet. Go check it out, it works [...]
Rachel C. Said,
September 5, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
So can you just replace this for any sc2tog or dec? Can you do that?
June Said,
September 6, 2011 @ 4:42 am
Rachel, you can replace almost any sc2tog or dec:
sarah Said,
September 12, 2011 @ 10:29 am
Thank you!!! This blew my mind, I thought I was just crocheting wrong!!
Shanti Said,
October 18, 2011 @ 9:27 am
Thank you!!! I’m not big in amigurumis but it’s always great to lear a new technique and this is absolutely fantastic!!!
Al Said,
November 15, 2011 @ 9:48 am
Hi, thank you so much for this tutorial! But if it comes to a time when I make an amigurumi with the wrong side facing out, how do I do an invisible decrease?
June Said,
November 17, 2011 @ 2:45 am
Al, if you’re working inside out (so the wrong side will be the outside) you can use the same technique, but go through the back loop instead of the front loop of each stitch when you make the decrease.
Al Said,
November 17, 2011 @ 7:50 am
Thank you!!
Shar Said,
November 28, 2011 @ 8:14 am
Great instructions! Any suggestions on how to do a sc-blo (sc-back loop only) decrease? I am making a hat (http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/pdf/LushAngoraCap.pdf) with alternating sc then sc-blo stitches for texture. I’m at now ready to work the decrease rows and was hoping your invisible decrease might be applied, rather than the pattern’s standard sc2tog decrease directions. The only hitch might be the alternating sc, sc-blo stitches and how to make the decreases look appropriate for the next stitch.
Thanks for the great tips! I think, with the help of your video, I can do a rsc edging on my baby beanies. Always wanted to perfect that stitch. You made it look simple.
shar
June Said,
November 28, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
I don’t think any kind of invisible decrease would work at all for that pattern, as the pattern says to work into the back loop of half the decrease and both loops of the other half. I don’t think there’s a better way to do it… You could try doing it as a sort of invdec by using the front loop of the 1st st (instead of both) and the back loop of the 2nd (or vice versa depending on where in the pattern you are), and don’t yarn over between the two loops, as with an invdec – but I don’t know if it would look any good!
Shar Said,
November 30, 2011 @ 8:24 am
I was afraid of that. I’ll try your suggestion, as I was mulling the same thing over while attempting to apply your invisible decrease to this pattern. If all else fails, I’ll follow the pattern as is, despite its decrease issues. Thanks!
Tibbles Said,
January 15, 2012 @ 7:42 pm
It’s the only way I decrease now, thanks a ton!
Michelle Said,
March 2, 2012 @ 11:20 am
YOU ROCK!!!!! I literally googled “how to decrease crochet without gaps” and this was the first thing I found. SWEEEEEET!!!!!!! I will use this forever and NEVER go back to decreasing the old way that leaves unsightly gaps. THANK YOU!
Nancy Clark Said,
March 2, 2012 @ 2:15 pm
I thought you’d like to know that I posted on my blog how to convert this dec so that it won’t show on the WS.
http://antsfibers.blogspot.com/2012/03/back-loop-invdec-tutorial.html
Jennifer Said,
March 14, 2012 @ 5:49 pm
It’s been said but I’ll say it again, THANK YOU!! I’m new to ami’s and can’t wait to add this technique to my arsenal of tips and tricks!
My Latest Crochet Find | The Craft Frog Said,
April 30, 2012 @ 7:14 pm
[...] PlanetJune has excellent written directions on how to do it. I learn better by reading than I do by video, but I know there are videos on Youtube on how to do it- just look up “invisible decrease.” Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in Stuff I Learned. Bookmark the permalink. ← Hobbes The Harrison Dollhouse, K → [...]