Decreasing, or Why You Should count Stitches

Skip a stitch. This will leave a hole. This is not usually how a pattern directions tell you to skip a stitch (sk a st).

 Decrease 1 dc (Dec 1 dc) pull up the first loop as if you are making a dc.

Pull up a loop in the next st. You have 3 loops on your hook.

 Yo and pull through all 3 loops.

 Dec sc is similar. Pull up a loop for the first stitch...

 Pull up a loop for the 2nd stitch...

 Yo and pull through all 3 loops.

 This is the hole left by skipping a stitch.

 This is a dc dec.

This is a sc dec.
Decreasing is used for shaping. Patterns to follow....

Increasing or Why You Should Count Stitches

 Sometimes, the pattern calls for increases. Doilies, for example, have to have increases to lie flat, as they get bigger around each round. The first v stitch, pictured above near center right, has 2 ch st, the next round, the v stitch has 10 ch st, the next round has 20 tr crochet stitches, to start the pineapple.

 To start the fan, above, 6 tr crochet in a ch 3 v stitch, next round, 2 tr cr in each tr cr of row below. This is the easiest and most common method of increasing, 2 stitches in each st of previous row or round.

 It took 2 rounds to increase from 1 shell to 2 shells.

This handle of a bag has 15 stitches in each row. I know how easy it is to absentmindedly (accidentally) put 2 stitches in 1. That makes the strap wider. If you don't count your stitch at least every few rows, you could wind up with straps which are considerably wider than when you started. I found this happening often when I first started crocheting. Unraveling rows of work is frustrating, I know!
Doily patterns usually include stitch or space counts every few rows. I highly recommend counting each time they are there. It's an easy way to find mistakes before they are compounded by more rows.

Wine Cork Cat Toy

 I put a tail on this one. Ch 10. It makes a handle for dangling. Then sc a circle big enough to cover an end of the cork.

 Work rounds of sc enough to cover the length of the cork. I'm using a 00 hook and size 10 crochet thread.

 Then decrease over the other end, finish off and work in ends.

 Pip didn't seem too interested at first.

She took a nap. Several hours later, she chased them when I tossed them across the room.
Each one takes just under an hour to make. Hopefully, she'll decide she likes them.

Plarn Basket / Tote / Tray

This a variation on the plarn shoulder bags and grocery bags. I want it to sit on the top of a toilet tank and hold t. p. and washcloths, so I made the bottom to the measurements of the top of the tank.

Now it's time to start working around evenly so the sides will stand up. I'll use dc, it's faster and I don't want it for anything small which could fall through looser stitches.

Ch 1, sc in the first stitch of the first row of long side, hdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch and following stitches. I'll put 2 stitches in the corner stitches so there'll be enough stitches on both sides of the corners in this row only. Following rounds will be 1 dc in each stitch. I won't join rounds, just keep working evenly around.

Starting first round.

 Starting 2nd round, still flat.

Starting 3rd round, just starting to stand up in the corners.

Starting 4th round, short ends are starting to stand up. Using dc, I have 1 1/2 inches, sc would need 4 rounds to be 1 inch tall.

6 rounds tall. You can see it's almost tall enough. I think 2 more rounds will be as tall as I want it. Time to make the handles. I want a different, smaller, shorter style of handle.

 Start 7th round: dc 4 on short end. Skip next 17 stitches, ch 17. Dc in next 4 stitches of short end and dc across long side.

You have a 17 stitch opening for a handle. Repeat for the other short end and long side to finish the 7th round.
Round 8: work 1 dc in each dc and in each ch stitch of round 7.

 I think the handles need to be thicker.
Round 9: work 1 dc in each dc of round 8.

 Yes, I like this.
To finish off: at end of round 9, work 1 hdc in next stitch, work 1 sc in next stitch, work a sl st in next stitch. Finish off and weave in ends.

Washcloths, t.p., anything you want.....
Or make one for a guest room to hold little treats for your guests...
The bottom can be round, square, or any size you wish. If you don't want handles, don't make them. Any height you like. If you can't find a plarn color for your decor, use yarn. Stripes, any thing goes. Express your own unique style. Remember, patterns are just suggestions!