Crochet Decrease Calculator
Take the guesswork out of shaping your crochet projects! This calculator helps you figure out how many decrease rounds you need and how many stitches to decrease in each round to smoothly transition from your current stitch count to your target stitch count.
How to Use This Crochet Decrease Calculator
Crocheting often involves shaping, whether you’re making amigurumi, hats, garments, or bags. Decreasing stitches is key to creating these shapes. This tool simplifies planning those decreases.
- Current Stitch Count: Enter the total number of stitches you have in your current round or row before you start decreasing.
- Target Stitch Count: Enter the number of stitches you want to have after completing all your decrease rounds. This could be a small number for closing a toy, or a larger number for shaping a sleeve.
- Decreases Per Round/Row: Enter how many decrease stitches (e.g., “sc2tog” or “invdec”) you plan to make *each time* you work a decrease round. For example, if your pattern might say “(sc 4, dec) 6 times”, you are making 6 decreases in that round.
Understanding Your Results
Once you hit “Calculate Decreases,” the tool will tell you:
- The total number of stitches you need to reduce.
- A suggested schedule of decrease rounds, showing how many stitches to decrease in each of those rounds.
- The final stitch count you’ll achieve with this plan.
Important Note: This calculator aims for even decreases. The “Decreases Per Round/Row” you enter is the *maximum* for most rounds. The final decrease round might have fewer decreases to hit your target stitch count as closely as possible. The final stitch count might sometimes be slightly less than your target if the numbers don’t divide perfectly – this is normal!
Tips for Smooth Decreases
While this calculator plans the *number* of decreases, here’s how to make them look good:
- Distribute Evenly: For the neatest look, spread your decreases out across the round. If you need to make 6 decreases in a round of 60 stitches, you’d typically work 8 stitches, then a decrease, and repeat that 6 times ( (sc8, dec) x 6 ).
- Stagger Decreases: For shapes like spheres or cones, try not to stack decreases directly on top of each other in consecutive rounds. Shifting their positions slightly can prevent visible “seams” or ridges.
- Choose Your Decrease Method:
- sc2tog (Single Crochet 2 Together): The standard decrease. Good for most projects.
- Invisible Decrease (invdec): Popular for amigurumi as it’s less noticeable. Usually worked in the front loops only.
- Other stitches (hdc2tog, dc2tog, etc.) follow similar principles for taller stitches.
This calculator is a guide. Always check your work and adjust if needed for your specific pattern and yarn. Happy crocheting!