Invisible Decrease in Amigurumi: How to Decrease Without Gaps

A decrease turns two stitches into one. In amigurumi, decreases close the top of a head, shape a neck and taper a nose, and they are the reason a toy has a smooth, round shape. The standard decrease leaves a small hole and a slight bump. The invisible decrease leaves almost nothing, so the stuffing stays hidden. This guide shows both methods, how to read decreases in a pattern and how to fix the usual problems.

Where decreases are used

• Closing the top of a head or a body, where the stitch count goes down round by round until about 6 stitches are left.
• Shaping a neck or a waist, where the shape narrows and then widens again.
• Tapering limbs, ears, tails and noses.

Decreases are the opposite of increases, where you work two stitches into one. Together they make the curves of a toy: increases make it wider, and decreases make it narrower. If you are new to the stitch, learn how to single crochet first.

The standard decrease (sc2tog)

sc2tog means "single crochet two together". Patterns also write it as "dec". You work two stitches until they are joined into one.

1. Put the hook into the next stitch, going under both loops of the V.
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You have 2 loops on the hook.
3. Put the hook into the following stitch, under both loops.
4. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You have 3 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. One loop is left, and two stitches have become one.

The invisible decrease

The invisible decrease works through the front loops only. It pulls the two stitches together more neatly, so the gap is smaller and the line is smoother. Many toy patterns say "invisible decrease", "inv dec" or "invdec". If the pattern only says "dec", you can still use the invisible method, because it takes up the same two stitches and gives the same count.

1. Look at the next two stitches. On each stitch, find the front loop, which is the one closest to you.
2. Put the hook into the front loop of the next stitch only. Do not go through the back loop.
3. Put the hook into the front loop of the stitch after that, also front loop only. Now both front loops are on the hook shaft.
4. Yarn over and pull the yarn through both front loops. You have 2 loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through the 2 loops. One loop is left. The decrease is done.

If you are left-handed, mirror these steps. The front loop is always the loop nearest to you, whichever hand holds the hook.

Standard and invisible decrease compared

How to read decreases in a pattern

A line such as "Rnd 10: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)" means: work 4 single crochets, then 1 decrease, and repeat that group 6 times. Each group uses 4 + 2 = 6 stitches from the round before, and it makes 4 + 1 = 5 new stitches. After 6 groups you used 36 stitches and made 30. The number in brackets at the end is the stitch count you should have. Count after every round. Our guide on how to read a crochet pattern explains this notation in more detail.

Closing the top of a toy

When a pattern says to decrease until 6 stitches are left, work invisible decreases around until you have 6 stitches. Stuff the piece firmly before the opening gets small. Then cut the yarn, thread the tail through the front loops of the last stitches, and pull it tight like a drawstring. The steps are in our guide on how to stuff and assemble amigurumi.

Common problems and how to fix them

Once you can decrease neatly, try a small toy. Our crochet patterns for beginners lists patterns that use only the stitches covered in our guides, and you will find more in the amigurumi patterns section. For practice, a free crochet pattern is a good way to start.