Expert: Bea Harrell - 2/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I've been crocheting forever but cannot figure out the best way to decrease when I'm working in a multiple stitch pattern-is there a secret?

ANSWER: Dear Jan, I need a bit more info in order to help. Are you working from a pattern?  Even when working with different stitches, there is a specific order as to where they are placed.  That order must be maintained when working decreases. Tell me exactly what problem you have encountered, and maybe we can find an answer!

Best,  Bea

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bea, Are you saying that each stitch pattern has its own way of decreasing?  Why don't they tell that along with the rest of the directions??  I frequently make my own patterns for clothing etc and sometimes would like to use fancy patterns; -how would I decrease if the pattern was Millefleur (sc,dc in same st, skip 1,>>end ch 1, second row, sc,dc in sc sp of prev row,>>end ch 1)  or another: (sc ch 1 sk 1>>end ch 1, second row sc ch 1 in the ch 1 sp prev row)>>end ch 1---or any other fancy pattern where it would be difficult or impossible to decrease just one stitch. Am I explaining myself well enough?3i3n

Answer
Hey, Jan! So, you are following a pattern. OK, then it tells you when to begin decreasing, just not HOW to decrease? If the pattern is expert/advanced, they sometimes don't explain the decrease method, just assuming that you know! I'll tell you now, that I avoid those patterns! Normally when you progressively skip stitches (sk 1 sc, on row 9, skip 2 sc on row 10...ect) the decrease is automatic, no notice of the beginning of the decrease rounds, so unless you are specifically asked to decrease, it's just skipping stitches row by row. As to stitch patterns, I just mean that unless the pattern calls for a change, you have to hold to the stitchs called for on that row, while you do the decrease. It is difficult to decrease across chain spaces, so it's vital that you know exactly where the decrease is to be made.  That's why I don't understand why your pattern doesn't specify where the decrease goes, and how it is to be executed! So, it makes me think the decrease is contained in each row's instruction.  Have you begun work on the pattern? I just really can't say because each pattern handles the instructions differently. I'm sorry to be so little help, but I've never encountered a pattern that asked for decreases, and didn't at least specify WHERE the decrease was to be placed!

Best, Wishes,  Bea