How to Decrease Linked Crochet Stitches

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Easily learn how to decrease linked crochet stitches from the basic to the taller stitches, including Single, Half Double, Double, and Treble Crochet Stitches.

Decreasing is a tricky crochet technique that can look very bulky. But it doesn’t have to be. It can look clean and have very smooth transitions from one stitch to another.

You can easily decrease linked crochet stitches with a special technique that prevents bulk and keep the reduction of the gaps at a minimum. Whatever your project is, you will be able to shape it using this fun technique.

I have included handy tutorials to the basic linked crochet stitches if you need to remind yourself how to work these. They create a unique fabric with no gaps, really closely textured.

If you need tutorials on how to increase linked crochet stitches, then you are in luck, cause I have those also.

What is Linked Crochet?

It is a special crochet technique between standard crochet and Tunisian Crochet. You connect or link the individual crochet stitches together. This minimizes the gaps between stitches. It creates a thick fabric with virtually no gaps or openwork.

This fun way of crocheting creates such a dense fabric with virtually no holes throughout your work. It is desired for sturdy projects that need to hold their shape or have no gaps for items to fall through.

This is a desired characteristic for projects which need to be sturdy without the need for big gaps. As an example, it could be bags, pouches, mats, rugs, cushion covers, etc. The possibilities are endless.

I have put together 5 tops tips and tricks for using the linked crochet technique and how it’s similar and different from regular and Tunisian Crochet. If you wanted to find out a bit more about this fun technique, check out LINKED CROCHET TECHNIQUE TOP TIPS AND CROCHET PATTERNS.

Linked Crochet Decreasing – Video Tutorial

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Linked Crochet Decrease

You can apply the decrease technique to any of the linked crochet stitches. I prefer to use the invisible decrease crochet technique when shaping linked crochet stitches.

To use the invisible decrease method you simply insert your hook through the front loop of the next two stitches. This method works on each linked crochet stitch. Always link before you decrease. In the example below you see how to decrease a linked treble crochet stitch. The video above shows all stitch decreases in a lot more detail.

Decreasing Linked Single Crochet

Linked single crochet decrease is one of the more simple techniques. If you need a refresher on how to work that standard linked single crochet, take a look at LINKED SINGLE CROCHET – BEST TUTORIAL FOR LSC.

To decrease linked single crochet, you need to insert your hook to the loop furthest away from the hook to link the stitch to the previous one. Then insert your hook through the front loop only of the next two stitches. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.

This is the technique to decrease linked crochet and work two stitches together.

Decreasing Linked Half Double Crochet

This is the first taller linked stitch. I have a handy tutorial LINKED HALF DOUBLE CROCHET – BEST TUTORIAL FOR LHDC to remind you how to work this stitch.

Insert your hook into the loop at the front of the previous stitch. Now place your hook through the front loops of the next two stitches. Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook. This way you will work invisible linked half double crochet decrease. This means you will work the two stitches together and decreasing the number of stitches.

Decreasing Linked Double Crochet

Before we work the decrease, check out LINKED DOUBLE CROCHET – BEST TUTORIAL FOR LDC. The tutorial has a complete photo and video step-by-step guide to help you understand how to crochet this stitch.

To decrease the linked double crochet stitch, you use a very similar technique as for the half double crochet. However, rather than pulling through all three loops on the hook, you will finish it off by pulling through two loops only twice.

Decreasing Linked Treble Crochet

I find linked treble crochet might be one of the more tricky stitches to link. Although it requires a little more attention as to where you are placing the stitches, I think it is the most fun stitch to work. Mostly because using this super tall stitch makes the project grow super fast.

You can perfect your treble linked crochet skills with my stitch tutorial first. LINKED TREBLE CROCHET – BEST TUTORIAL FOR LTR goes through this complex technique in a little more detail.

To work linked treble crochet stitch, you need to first link it to the previous stitch. This means inserting a hook and pulling up a loop through the two loops on the previous stitch. If you wish to decrease, you can use the invisible technique again and finish it off as a standard treble crochet.

Brand New Linked Crochet eBook

Get 17 Amazing Linked Crochet Patterns with 8 Stitch Tutorials& Save 80%!!! This handy eBook contains 44 pages with 17 Linked Crochet Patterns and 8 Linked Crochet Stitch Tutorials.

All these are accompanied by resources and 16 video tutorials embedded for easy access and viewing pleasure. This will give you the opportunity to learn hours upon hours of crochet knowledge to make YOUR crochet work look cleaner, better, and as perfect as you want them to be.

Take a look at my LINKED CROCHET MADE EASY EBOOK.

I hope you find these tutorials on how to increase and decrease linked crochet informative. If you think your friends would like to learn something new too, share this article with them. Do not forget to share it with all your crochet friends on social media or pin it to your favorite Pinterest Board.

THE CROCHET CLUB – CROCHET PATTERN, TIPS & TUTORIAL VAULT

You can have the most amazing pattern and yarn in the world, but if you don’t have the knowledge on how to crochet in a way that makes you proud, then all your work is for nothing.

Maybe you have a dream of having perfect straight seams or have less yarn to weave in?

Let me introduce you to THE CROCHET CLUB – AN ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP! It is exactly what it says on the tin. If you sign up for the membership I will teach you different techniques and tips on how to improve your crochet projects!

You will get access to all my patterns in PDF formats and full support from myself to guide you through the tricky bits. I will also teach you what YOU want to learn! Join me in THE CROCHET CLUB – AN ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP!