Any knitting begins with a set of loops. Do you want to crochet something, but don't know how to cast on the stitches correctly? The most important thing is to make the first loop correctly. There's nothing complicated about it. Remember that the first crocheted the row must be neat and then the finished product will look beautiful.
How to crochet stitches - learning to hold a knitting tool in your hands
If you learn how to hold a hook in your hands correctly, you won’t have any problems with casting on loops. There are two options:
- hold like a pen for writing;
- hold it like a kitchen knife.
Choose a method that is convenient for you. Experienced needlewomen prefer the first method. When using the second one, your hand can quickly get tired. But try everything and see what suits you.
Crochet the first loop
The first loop is the basis of knitting; it must be hooked onto the working tool. Unwind the yarn a little from the ball and pinch it with three fingers of your left hand - from the middle to the little finger. The thread for the loop lies on your index finger, and hold the hook in your right hand. If you are left-handed, switch hands. Cast on the starting stitch using the following methods:
- option one. Make a loop out of the yarn - bend the thread and shape it. Place the working thread on your index finger. Insert a hook into the resulting loop and pick up the yarn located on your finger;
- option two. Place the thread on your index finger. Place the hook under it and scroll clockwise. Pull the yarn through the formed loop and tighten the knot not very tightly;
- option three. Form the first loop as you would on the knitting needles. Many needlewomen prefer this method.
We crochet the loops - a simple cast-on chain
You already have the initial loop - let's move on:
- Throw the working thread from the ball onto the index finger of your left hand. On the hook, the first loop should be located as close to the finger as possible;
- Yarn over the hook and pull the thread formed on the working tool through the loop. Pull the resulting knot slightly with your fingers.
Continue these steps as needed. Please note that the cast-on first stitch is not taken into account in the total cast-on count for the product. If you remember this, you will always knit according to patterns correctly. Do not make the initial chain too tight - the edge of the finished product will come out taut. But don’t cast on the loops very loosely either.
We crochet loops for knitting in the round
This typesetting method will allow you to get a product without a hole in the center. It is called a sliding loop or a magic ring. With the initial loop cast on, your steps are as follows:
- turn the thread on your index finger 2 times;
- press the working thread with your middle finger;
- insert the hook into these loops and yarn over;
- pull the yarn out. The first loop worked;
- remove the loops from your finger and transfer the main thread to it to work from the ball;
- for the next loops, yarn over and insert the working tool into the resulting double loop;
- pick up the thread again and pull it through what is located on the hook.
Cast on as many loops as needed and tighten the free end of the thread. The cast-on row is ready, proceed to further knitting.
In many patterns, knitting begins with the above sets of loops different products. To cast on the first stitches correctly, do not skimp on the hook. Notches on a low-quality working tool will catch the yarn and you won’t even be able to cast on stitches well, let alone knitting. Knitting should bring you pleasure!
Instructions
Most products have complex shape, which can be realized by adding loops. There are two options for adding loops: you need to add loops of the row and at the beginning/end of the row. Let's consider them sequentially for different types columns.
Adding stitches within a row.
Single crochet. Work in single crochets until you add a loop. Work 2 single crochets in the next stitch instead of one. To do this, insert the hook under the top two threads of the next loop, yarn over and pull the thread through the loop, yarn over and pull the thread through the two loops on the hook. Then do exactly the same steps, again inserting the hook under two threads of the same loop as.
Half double crochet. Work in half double crochets to the point where you need to add a stitch, and in the next loop work 2 half double crochets instead of one. To do this, yarn over, insert the hook under the top two threads of the next loop, yarn over and pull the thread through the loop, yarn over and pull the thread through the two loops on the hook. Then do exactly the same steps, again inserting the hook under two threads of the same loop as before. Complete the row.
Double crochet. Double crochet until you add a loop. Work a double crochet in the next stitch, and then another double crochet in the same stitch of the previous row. Complete the row.
Double crochet stitch. Work in double crochet stitches until you add a loop. Next, knit 2 double crochets in one loop of the previous row. Continue with double crochets to the next place where you need to add a loop.
Adding stitches at the beginning/end of a row.
Simple addition of stitches at the beginning of the row.
Tie the rotary chain stitches before starting the next row (for a single crochet - 1 loop, for a half double crochet - 2 loops, for a double crochet - 3 loops, for a double crochet - 4 loops). Tie a stitch into the second loop from the edge of the previous row. These are 2 edge loops, they are always knitted without increasing/decreasing so that the edge of the product is even. In the third loop from the edge, knit two stitches instead of one. Then continue to the end of the row. If you continue to make one increase at the beginning of each knit row, you will end up with a beveled edge on the right side.
Simple addition of stitches at the end of the row.
Knit 1 row on the front side of the product until 3 loops remain undone. Knit 2 stitches in the third loop from the end of the edge. Next, finish the row with two edge stitches. If you continue to make one increase at the end of each knit row, you will end up with a beveled edge on the left side.
Adding a few stitches at the beginning of the row.
To add a few stitches at the beginning of a row, you should start with a chain of air loops. At the end of the previous row, turn the work over and knit as many stitches as you need to add, plus turning stitches. Let's say you are knitting with single crochets and you need to add 5 loops. Then at the beginning of a new row you must knit 5 chain stitches for increasing plus 1 chain stitch for turning, i.e. only 6 loops. Tie a single crochet into the second loop (a half double crochet, respectively, into the third, a single crochet into the fourth, a double crochet into the fifth). Knit one stitch in the next 4 stitches air chain. Work the next single crochet at the top of the last stitch of the previous row. Complete the row. Turn the product over, make lifting loops and knit the row in the opposite direction to the 5th added loop of the previous row. Continue knitting in all stitches.
Adding a few stitches at the end of the row.
Knit to the end of the row, making one stitch in each loop of the previous row, until there are two undone loops left in the row. Leave them for a while and remove the hook from the last connected loop. Pull a piece of yarn through the last of the turning stitches of the previous row. Use this thread to tie as many stitches as required for the increase. Secure the thread at the end of the air chain. Insert the hook into the loop you left earlier and work one stitch in each of the last two loops of the previous row. Then knit one stitch in each chain stitch of the chain that was knitted at the end of the row. Turn the work over, make turning loops and tie the post into the second loop from the edge. Next, knit stitches in each loop until the end of the row. Complete the row.
Every craftswoman who wants to learn how to knit should know how to add and decrease stitches with crochet. This is one of the basic knowledge that is quite easy and simple to master. The main thing is to clearly know the sequence of actions and practice. After a couple of trial rows, increasing and decreasing crochet stitches will be done automatically.
Why do you need to decrease and add loops?
People who have already held a hook and knitted any products or crafts know that with the help of a hook you can create simply extraordinary things. These can be complex lace patterns of fine work, they can be things and souvenirs different forms and sizes.
By adding and decreasing crochet loops, you can create various geometric shapes - a perfectly even circle, square or triangle, trapezoid, rectangle, etc. The flight of imagination is unlimited here. The creation of amigurumi toys crochet It is very convenient and quick to knit a nose, eyes, paws, ears and other small details for future animals. And here you can’t do without the ability to correctly add or subtract loops.
Ways to decrease loops
The first method is to skip the stitch knitted in the previous row. That is, in the decrease row the required loop or stitch is knitted, and the next one is already pulled out from the loop running through one from the working thread.
At the very beginning of the row, you can decrease the loops by knitting the required number simply with single crochets. They are so small that they will not be visually noticeable. Accordingly, at the end of the row you need not knit as many loops as you need to subtract. In this case, an uneven edge appears on the product, but it can be easily corrected by tying each loop with single crochets. Then the product will immediately acquire a neat and tidy appearance.
Another way that you can use to decrease loops is to connect two loops into one. That is, without completely finishing the desired loop, proceed to the second one, and at the last step connect them with a common “top”.
Single crochets: how to decrease correctly
Single crochet is the easiest stitch to knit. Decreasing stitches with crochet when crocheting this stitch is also not at all difficult. You need to ensure that there are three loops left on the hook before the last grab of the thread. That is, we first grab the thread and pull it through one loop, then through the next. So we got three loops. Then we make a yarn over and pull the hook through all the loops at once. This is how we get one single crochet from the two loops of the previous row.
Half-column decrease
The first thing to do is throw the working thread over the hook, then insert it into the next loop and pull out a new one. Repeat these two steps again. There should be five loops on the hook. Now another yarn over is made and all the loops on the hook are joined together. This is how easy and simple it is to decrease stitches with crochet.
Decrease single crochet stitches
In order for the decrease in stitches to be neat and unnoticeable when crocheting, you must strictly follow the instructions. For example, for a single crochet stitch, you need to start by knitting two stitches incompletely, and then knitting them immediately with a single loop. It is knitted in this way: first we insert it into the loop, then pull out a new one. Now we have three loops on the hook, we need to yarn over again and knit two of them. The result was one unfinished column. We do this again. There should be two loops on the hook. And we also put the thread on the hook and knit one loop.
How to add a stitch inside a row
To add loops in the middle of a row, you simply need to knit the required number of loops from the same loop. To prevent such an addition from being noticeable, you should make 2-3 new ones from one loop, otherwise you can get a “hump” effect at work at the place of the addition. Or stretch the loop too much, and visually it will look like a hole in the work. You can knit loops of any complexity from one place. Depending on the pattern of the pattern, you can also make additions by casting chain stitches inside the row. And in the next row these new loops are already knitted according to the indicated pattern.
Adding a large number of loops at the beginning of a row
If it is necessary to expand the knitted fabric at the beginning of the row, then at the end of the previous one you need to cast on additional air loops. Then in the next they will become the beginning. It is worth noting that having cast the required number of loops for adding, you must not forget about the lifting loops, depending on which column will be the first in the new row.
Adding stitches at the end of a row
Having finished the row, the hook must be placed under the bottom left thread or the right thread, if left-handed, of the last loop. And we knit the necessary loop from it. In this way, move sideways and cast on the required number of loops.
Decrease in circular knitting
The basic principles of adding and decreasing crochet stitches in the round do not change. You can use any of the methods presented above. The only thing you need to remember is the so-called law of the circle. As you know, this is correct geometric figure, it is symmetrical. Therefore, the number of loops in each row should be distributed evenly so as not to disrupt the symmetry of the figure. Accordingly, increases and decreases in stitches should be done at equal intervals of stitches.
As stated at the very beginning of the article, learning this is not at all difficult! These are the basic techniques and methods for decreasing and adding stitches in crochet. Be able to knit the main types of loops and stitches, decrease and increase loops, learn the schematic symbols of loops - and that’s it, you can start doing any crochet work. These are three basic skills, without knowing which you cannot learn to knit.
We don't always crochet rectangular pieces - most often we have to crochet curved contours, especially when creating garments. Armholes, necklines, sleeves - everywhere we require lines of complex shapes.
Moreover, sometimes we need to crochet a voluminous product - for example, slippers, a hat, a toy, etc., where knitting in the round is used. In all these cases, we use techniques of adding and decreasing loops, achieving expansion or contraction of the knitting fabric.
Let's look at these techniques using the example of double crochet, which is used in crochet literature when a column of lifting loops at the beginning of a row is considered the 1st column of this row.
How to add crochet loops
Adding one stitch at the beginning of a row
Adding one stitch at the end of a row
Having knitted a double crochet into the last stitch of the row, in the same loop We knit another double crochet. 
Adding one column in the middle of the row
Similar to the previous cases, in the right place we knit 2 stitches in one loop of the previous row. The loop is shown with a yellow circle. 
To add loops within a row, do not knit more than 3 stitches from one base loop.
If in each row we add 1 double crochet at the beginning and at the end of the row, we will get the picture uniform extensions of crochet fabric.
Therefore, depending on the effect you want to get, you can choose one or another reduction method.
Designation of decreasing loops in diagrams looks like this (using the example of double crochets).
Let's summarize today's lesson. We have studied in detail how to correctly crochet increases and decreases when knitting in rows - along the edges and in the middle of the row. We saw what this looks like in crochet patterns. The techniques considered are valid for single crochets, and for stitches with 2 and 3 crochets.
Note that this method can be used when you need to add or subtract 1 or 2 columns at the same time.
If it is necessary to reduce or increase the knitting fabric by a larger number of loops, then apply, which we will study in the following lessons.
In the meantime, I advise you to practice well using what you received today step by step instructions. You will succeed! Good luck!
There are many ways to add loops, which are used in cases where you need to add one or more loops.
As the crochet progresses, stitches are added at the beginning, middle or end of the row as needed or as the project requires.
How to add stitches in the middle of a row
To add a stitch in the middle of a row or circle, you simply need to knit one stitch as usual and then knit another stitch in the same place, i.e. to add one loop in a row, you need to knit twice in the same loop of the previous row (2 loops are knitted in one column of the previous row).
If you need to know where the loops were added, mark this place with the addition of loops with a thread of a different color of yarn, as shown in the photo, or with a pin.
To increase stitches when crocheting each row, work an increase in the first stitch of the previous row. Continue knitting in the same order so that the increase in stitches is regular in the fabric.
When added regularly in the same place, a corner is obtained. It can turn out sharp if you added stitches when crocheting in each row, or smooth if you crocheted increases every other row.
Simple increase at the beginning of the row
Work a certain number of rows of or as usual, then turn the work and knit 2 stitches into the first stitch of the previous row.
Note that for and, count the lifting loop from air loops as the first loop, and then knit only 1 additional loop in the first column of the previous row. The edge of the product will slope outward.
Simple increase at the beginning and end of the row
To knit an increase in stitches at the beginning of a row, see above, and to add loops at the end of a row, knit the last 2 loops into the last loop of the previous row. Both edges will slope outward. The more often you knit adding stitches from the edges of the fabric, the stronger the degree of inclination will be.
How to add stitches at the beginning of a row (large quantities)
To create space for knitting additional loops at the beginning of a new row, you need to knit a chain of the required number of air loops at the end of the previous row, i.e. knit the number of air loops, which will be equal to the number of added loops plus loops for lifting, i.e. if you need to add 10 stitches at the beginning of a new row, then knit 10 chain stitches + lifting stitches at the end of the working row (if you are knitting, for example, a single crochet = 1 stitch in the row, a half double crochet = 2 stitches, etc. ) .
Attention! In order not to make a mistake, be sure to count the number of loops cast on; this is very important, both when adding loops and when decreasing them.
Add lifting loops (the photo shows a half double crochet, so here we knit 2 lifting loops). Leaving the instep stitches undone, work a half double crochet in each chain stitch that was added. And then knit as required by the pattern.
How to add stitches at the end of a row (large quantities)
The most in a simple way Adding stitches at the end of a row is simply knitting a chain of the required number of stitches + loops for lifting.
For a more professional method, knit as follows: the row is knitted to the end, in in this case half double crochet, then insert your hook under the bottom left strand of the last stitch you just knitted and work the next half double crochet over it.
Repeat this step, working the next half double crochet on the bottom left thread of the previous stitch until you have the desired number of stitches.
This method of adding stitches at the end of a row produces a softer edge than that described above for adding stitches at the beginning of a row. And you can increase the number of stitches at either end or beginning of the row.
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