Looking to get a perfect shape in your fabric with your magical crochet hook? Yes, it is possible with invisible decrease by combining the beautiful stitches, loops, and twists in your fabric. However, crocheters sometimes face trouble creating a smooth and polished appearance when making a perfect shape, particularly when decreasing. Hence, understanding the decrease is important if you are frustrated with gaps or bumps in amigurumi, garments, or home decor creations. Let's explore this topic in detail through our blog and learn this amazing technique. Learn multiple techniques for decreasing in crochet.

Invisible Decrease in Crochet- Get a Perfect Shape

Invisible decrease is like a regular decrease; the only difference is that it combines two stitches into one, but it won't be visible. In this technique, you will only be working on the front loops of the stitches, as opposed to single crochet two together (K2TOG), which leaves visible space. As a result, you get a smooth and consistent crochet surface. With your wooden crochet hook from KnitPro in Symfonie, Ginger, Bamboo, or Dreamz, create stunning shapes in: Amigurumi, hats, socks, or gloves.

Step-by-Step instructions- Invisible Decrease

Here are the simple steps that you can follow to make an invisible decrease easily:

Step 1: Insert the Hook

  • Let's start with any project, for example, a dog amigurumi toy. Look at the top of the next stitch, it forms a 'V' shape. This is the front loop, and insert a single ended crochet hook into this same first loop.

Step 2: Insert the hook into the Next stitch

  • Without yarning over, insert your hook into the front loop only of the second stitch. So, your hook is into the two front loop stitches.

Step 3: Yarn Over (YO) using the working yarn

  • In this, yarn over and pull through both the front loops, and you will get two loops on the hook.

Step 4: YO and pull through both loops

  • You will get your first invisible decrease.

Why Use Invisible Decrease?

The shape of your crocheted fabric looks messy if you don't follow the proper invisible decrease technique. Let's check out why it's needed:

  • This method involves working only on the front loops; the resulting decrease blends naturally with the surrounding stitches, and you get a smoother finish.
  • If you don't want any holes or gaps in your amigurumi, use this technique.
  • It's less bulky, sleek, and flat compared to the regular decrease that sometimes adds extra thickness.
  • Get a professional look and clean stitches with this method, especially used by experts.

Tips for Perfect Invisible Technique

This technique is excellent for projects that require perfect shaping:

  • We recommend practicing on a swatch before you add it to a final project.
  • Use stitch markers where you require a decrease to keep the shape consistent.
  • Use tight tension for a cleaner decrease in the project.
  • Make sure to check the stitches from the right side to see if the decrease is truly invisible.
  • Openwork or lacy designs require visual texture, so avoid using this technique.
  • For a unique look, try experimenting with different yarns and crochet hook sizes to get the best result. You can explore KnitPro crochet hook sets, available in Symfonie, Dreamz, Waves, or Zing, and check which size works perfectly.

How to Use Invisible Decrease in Tunisian Crochet?

Tunisian crochet works on the forward and return passes. However, shaping can still benefit from smart decreases. Let's see how you can follow it:

  • In this, insert your Tunisian crochet hook in two front vertical bars instead of one.
  • Yarn over and pull through both as one stitch.
  • This will reduce the stitch count while maintaining stitch alignment.

Crocheting is about how you make things, not just what you make. The invisible decrease is a minor adjustment that has significant effects. This will add a level of expertise that even beginners can easily do, and polish your shaping of the fabric. In this way, you will be able to create projects that look professional and are lovely on the inside and out if you practice this easy technique with the appropriate tools, such as KnitPro's wooden crochet hooks. The invisible decrease will help you shape with confidence and style.