How to Increase in Crochet

Increasing within a Row

Crotchet your last stitch before the increase as usual. If you need to add a stitch in the midst of working a row or a round, work the stitch prior to the increase as you normally would. Complete the stitch so that you only have 1 loop on your crochet hook. Tip: If you're using a pattern, follow your pattern’s instructions carefully for where to place your increases. The location of an increase can affect the appearance of your finished item.

Yarn over for the stitch if needed. If you’re working a half-double, double, or triple crochet stitch, then yarn over the hook before working the increase. If you’re working a single crochet stitch, skip the yarn over. If you’re working a triple crochet stitch, loop the yarn over the hook twice before you work the stitch.

Insert the hook into the same stitch and complete the stitch. Push the hook into the same stitch that you just worked your last stitch into. Then, work the stitch as you normally would. Yarn over the hook and pull through 2 loops, then yarn over again and pull through 2 again. Repeat as many times as needed to complete the stitch. For example, if you are working a double crochet increase, loop the yarn over the hook, and pull through 2. Then, yarn over again, and pull through 2 again. To finish the increase stitch, yarn over 1 more time and pull through 2 one last time. For a single crochet increase, yarn over the hook and pull through 2. Then, yarn over the hook and pull through 2 one more time to complete the stitch.

Work additional stitches into the same space in the same way. After you finish 1 increase, you may work another into the same space or work additional increases in other spaces in the same way. Repeat the same process to do this. Each increase you work will add 1 extra stitch to the total number of stitches in the row.

Adding a Stitch at the Beginning of a Row

Make a chain of 2, 3, or 4 as required for the stitch. If your crochet pattern instructions say to work an increase at the beginning of a row, start by making a chain according to the type of stitch you’re using. Crochet a chain of 2 for a single crochet, 3 for double crochet, or 4 for triple crochet. Tip: This chain is known as a turning chain and it provides slack for when you turn your work. The turning chain also counts as the first stitch in the row.

Loop the yarn over the hook if it’s required for the stitch. If you’re working a single crochet stitch, don’t yarn over to begin the stitch. However, some stitches require yarning over before you insert the hook into the stitch space. Begin the increase stitch as you normally would. For example, loop the yarn over the hook 1 time for a half-double or double crochet stitch or 2 times for a triple crochet stitch.

Insert the hook at the base of the chain and work 1 stitch. Instead of skipping to the next stitch, locate the stitch space at the base of the chain. Insert your hook into this space to work a stitch into it and create a 1 stitch increase at the beginning of the row. Work the stitch as you normally would. For example, if you’re adding a single crochet stitch to the row, insert the hook into the stitch, and then loop the yarn over the hook, and pull through 1 stitch. Then, yarn over and pull through 2 to complete the stitch. To do a half-double crochet stitch, yarn over the hook before you insert it, then insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over again and pull through 1. Yarn over again, and pull through 3 to complete the stitch.

Working an Extra Stitch at the End of a Row

Insert the hook under the last vertical strand in the row. This strand will be along the side of your crochet project at the end of the row you just worked. Push the hook under the strand.Tip: Make sure to yarn over the hook first if you’re working a double, half-double, or triple crochet stitch. Yarn over once for a double or half-double crochet stitch and 2 times for a triple crochet stitch.

Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through 1. Once the hook is under the strand, yarn over 1 time. This is the same whether you’re working a single, double, half-double, or triple crochet stitch. Then, pull through 1 to pull up a loop. The number of loops on your hook at this point will depend on the type of increase stitch you’re working. For example, you’ll have 2 loops on your hook for a single crochet stitch, 3 for a double or half-double crochet stitch, and 4 for a triple crochet stitch.

Loop the yarn over the hook again and pull through 2. Next wrap the yarn over the end of the hook. Pull this loop through 2 loops and complete the stitch if you’re working a single crochet stitch. If you’re working another type of stitch, you’ll need to follow a different strategy. For a half-double crochet, pull through all 3 loops on the hook. For a double crochet, yarn over and pull through 2 again to complete the stitch. For a triple crochet, yarn over again, and pull through 2. Then, yarn over again and pull through 2 again to complete the stitch.

Repeat to add more stitches to the end of the row. Once you complete 1 increase stitch, you may turn your work around and continue to the next row or add another increase stitch in the same way as the first. Work the next increase stitch into the new vertical strand that you just created at the end of the row.