How to Make Crochet Increases for Amigurumi
If you are starting to make amigurumi, sooner or later you will learn one essential technique: crochet increases.
Increases are used to expand your work and shape your project. Without increases it would be impossible to create parts like the head, body, or legs of an amigurumi.
The good news is that learning this technique is much easier than it looks.
What Is a Crochet Increase?
A crochet increase is a technique that allows you to add an extra stitch to the round.
In amigurumi, this is done by working two single crochet stitches in the same stitch.
This increases the total number of stitches and helps the project grow evenly.
How to Make a Crochet Increase (Step by Step)
Here is how to make an increase:
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Insert your hook into the next stitch.
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Make one single crochet.
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Without moving to another stitch, insert the hook again into the same stitch.
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Make another single crochet.
You have just made a crochet increase.
In simple terms, you worked two single crochets in the same stitch.
Common Pattern Abbreviations
In amigurumi patterns you will often see abbreviations.
Some common ones include:
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sc = single crochet
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inc = increase
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st = stitch
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rnd = round
Example pattern:
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2: inc x6 (12)
Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
As you can see, increases allow your work to grow gradually.
Why Increases Are Important in Amigurumi
Most amigurumi projects start with a round base.
To create that base, the number of stitches must increase with each round.
With increases you can create:
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amigurumi heads
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bodies
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legs
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ears
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small details
That is why increases are considered one of the most important basic crochet techniques.
A Tip for Beginners
When you start learning crochet increases, don’t worry if your stitches are not perfect.
Crochet improves with practice.
The more projects you make, the more natural and even your stitches will become.
Remember: every amigurumi begins with a few simple stitches.