How to Crochet in Increasing Rows
Learning to increase rows when crocheting allows you to make all kinds of shapes and designs. For instance, you can increase rows in the corners of ponchos or in scarves to make them wider. In order to crochet a sweater, blouse or dress, you need to learn the technique of increasing in rows. Thus, the point of adding an increase to a crochet garment is to make the piece grow larger and to lay or stay flat. Increasing rows doesn’t require advanced knowledge of crocheting; you can accomplish the task by crocheting rows on any area of the project.
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Instructions
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Increasing Rows at the Side Edge
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Start at the beginning and end of a row and work two stitches in the first and last stitch. Work the stitches in between the row in the regular manner (for example, knit, purl or whichever stitch you are crocheting). The row is increased by two stitches.
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Chain one stitch at the side edges of a garment when you need more than one stitch added to a row. For example, if adding two stitches on the next row at the end of the row, you need to chain three stitches. Then turn your garment to continue increase.
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Work one stitch in two of the chain stitches and one stitch in the previous row. You want to continue across the row in the regular manner. Repeat at the other edge if needed.
Increases Within a Row
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Place a marker where you want your increase to start or end.
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Crochet two stitches into one stitch. This completes one increase.
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Repeat the process. If more increases are needed or if the pattern instructions call for more increases, work them in your garment.
Increase at a Corner
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Place a marker at the corner stitch on the row you are working on.
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Crochet across the row to the marked stitch, then crochet three stitches in the corner stitch. If fewer stitches are crocheted in the same corner space, your corner point will be more shallow and large. However, if more stitches are crocheted in the same corner space, your increase corner point will be sharp and tapered.
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Continue across the row until you reach the next corner marker. Repeat the process in the next corner if needed.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are new to the crochet craft, prepare to memorize abbreviations. Crochet patterns usually don’t spell out certain words. For instance, beginning is abbreviated as "Beg," increase as "Inc," stitches as "St(s)," place maker as "Pm," chain as "Ch" and repeat as "Rep." You’ll need to know these terms when completing any project.
References
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