LTK Cuties
Crochet Increase & Decrease Calculator
Evenly space your increases or decreases with a visual stitch map
Visual Stitch Map
When Do I Need This?
- Hat crowns — evenly decrease to close the top of a beanie or beret
- Amigurumi — increase for spheres, decrease for shaping heads, bodies, and limbs
- Garment waists — decrease for a fitted waist, increase for hip flare
- Sleeve caps — shape the top of set-in sleeves with even decreases
- Skirts & ruffles — increase evenly for a smooth flare without bunching
How to Increase Evenly in Crochet
- How do you increase evenly? An increase works 2 stitches into 1 base stitch. To add K stitches across a row of N, space K increases evenly — roughly one every N÷K stitches. Going from 48 to 60 (12 increases): *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat 12 times.
- What does “sc 3, inc” mean? Single crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, then work an increase (2 sc) in the following stitch. Each group uses 4 base stitches and produces 5.
- How do you decrease evenly? A decrease (sc2tog) combines 2 stitches into 1. Going from 70 to 60 (10 decreases): *sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog* repeat 10 times.
- Why can’t I decrease below half in one row? Each standard decrease consumes 2 stitches, so one row can at most halve your count. Decrease over multiple rows or use sc3tog for steeper shaping.
Shaping mastered — these patterns are all about it:
Mermaid Shelly DollAmigurumi · shaping-heavy$4.99
Sage BeanieBeanie · crown shaping$5.99
Mini Cupcake PlushiePlushie · quick make$2.99
Shaping mastered!
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