Learn how to do the Single Crochet Increase Stitch (aka scinc) with this step-by-step tutorial. The single crochet increase stitch is a variation of the basic single crochet stitch to increase your stitch count by one stitch. This is one of the basic crochet stitches you need to know for shaping your crochet projects to help us achieve different shapes like in amigurumi toys.
This tutorial includes a photo tutorial with written instructions as well as a video tutorial so no matter how you prefer to learn, we’ll have you perfecting single crochet increase in no time.
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Terms, Abbreviations and a Note About Crochet Patterns
This tutorial is written using US terms (US crochet terminology) however, if you’re more accustomed to the UK terms, here is a quick conversion for you:
| US Terms | UK Terms |
| CH = Chain | CH = Chain |
| SC = Single Crochet | DC = Double Crochet |
| SCINC = Single Crochet Increase | DCINC = Double Crochet Increase |
| SL ST = Slip Stitch | SL ST = Slip Stitch |
A Note About Patterns: Traditional increases are worked under both loops of the crochet stitch you’re working into. However, changing where you place your stitch (using either the back loop or the front loop of a stitch) may make your stitch more or less visible, giving you a different effect.
Make sure you check your crochet pattern notes section to see if anything states whether you need to adjust where you place your stitches. If there is nothing, it is assumed that you will be working under both loops.
See my notes below on using stitch placement to potentially make your increase stitch less visible.
Materials Needed:
To follow along with this tutorial, you’ll need the following materials:
- A Crochet Hook (whatever hook size works best with the yarn weight you’re using or whatever your pattern calls for – I’m using a 5.5mm Furls Crochet hook)
- Your crochet project, a crochet swatch or a crochet chain to work into.
In my example below, I’m working my single crochet increase on a crochet swatch worked in rounds however, this stitch can be used in a variety of different ways. This is a common stitch used for shaping crochet amigurumi projects.
To do a single crochet increase, we’re going to be working two single crochet stitches worked into a single stitch. This increases our stitch count by one, every time that we do it.
Single Crochet Increase Video Tutorial
Single Crochet Increase Step-by-Step Picture Tutorial
Step 1: Insert your crochet hook under both loops of the first stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (2 loops on your hook).
Step 2: Yarn over (YO) and pull through both loops on your hook. (first single crochet completed)
Step 3: Insert your crochet hook under both loops of the same stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop. (2 loops on your hook).
Step 4: YO and pull through both loops on your hook. (second single crochet (SC) completed). That completes your single crochet increase (sc inc)!
Invisible Increase Technique
When working on an amigurumi piece, some folks try to hide the look of their increase and decrease stitches. Sometimes that’s because they have a small gap or they stack their increase stitches on top of eachother and it can make a visible swirl pattern on the fabric of your toy.
You can make what some call an invisible single crochet increase by working your first stitch of the increase under both loops of your crochet stitch and working the last stitch of your increase under the front loop of that same stitch.
I’ve personally found this technique can be bulky, depending on the type of your you’re using. But play around with it and see if you prefer it over the regular single crochet increase.
Free crochet patterns to practice this technique:
Ready to Learn Other Crochet Increase Stitches, Decrease Stitches and Other Techniques? Check out these other Tutorials:
- Single Crochet Decrease (SCDEC or SC2TOG)
- Single Crochet Three Together (SC3TOG)
- Half Double Crochet Decrease (HDCDEC or HDC2TOG)
- Double Crochet Decrease (DCDEC or DC2TOG)
- How to Crochet a Flat Circle
- How to Crochet a Magic Ring
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