Loopy PandaHow to Make a Single Crochet Increase
A single crochet increase (inc) means working 2 single crochet into the same stitch, which turns 1 stitch into 2. In amigurumi you usually make 6 increases per round, spaced evenly, so a round of 6 grows to 12, then 18, then 24, and the piece stays flat. Chinese patterns write an increase as V.
What you need
- Yarn and a crochet hook (for amigurumi, usually one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label)
- Stitch marker
Step by step
- Work the first single crochetInsert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
- Go back into the same stitchInsert the hook into the same stitch again, right next to the stitch you just made.
- Work the second single crochetYarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops. You now have 2 stitches sitting on 1 stitch of the round below. That is one increase.
- Follow the repeatWork the plain single crochet between increases as the pattern says. For example,
(sc 2, inc) ×6means sc in the next 2 stitches, then increase in the next stitch, 6 times. - Count at the end of the roundEach increase adds 1 stitch. Six increases turn 18 stitches into 24. If your count is different, find the missing increase before you move on.
- Move the markerPut your stitch marker into the last stitch of the round, then start the next round.
The standard increase rounds for a flat circle
Almost every round amigurumi piece (heads, bodies, balls) starts with these rounds. Each round adds 6 stitches, and the number of plain stitches before the increase goes up by 1 each time.
| Round | US written | Chinese written | Stitches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 sc in magic ring | 环起6X | 6 |
| 2 | inc ×6 | 6V | 12 |
| 3 | (sc 1, inc) ×6 | (1X,1V)×6 | 18 |
| 4 | (sc 2, inc) ×6 | (2X,1V)×6 | 24 |
| 5 | (sc 3, inc) ×6 | (3X,1V)×6 | 30 |
| 6 | (sc 4, inc) ×6 | (4X,1V)×6 | 36 |
Round n of this sequence has 6 × n stitches. If a pattern starts with 8 stitches instead of 6, each round adds 8 instead.
How increases appear in patterns
| Pattern style | What you will see | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| US written | inc or 2 sc in next st | 2 single crochet in one stitch |
| UK written | inc or 2 dc in next st | The same thing; UK dc = US sc |
| Chinese written | V, 短针加针, 1针放2针 | One increase; 6V = increase in 6 stitches |
| Chart | A V shape | See the increase symbol |
Common mistakes and fixes
- The circle looks like a hexagon. Stacking the increases in the same place every round makes corners. Move them: for example, work round 4 as
(sc 1, inc, sc 1) ×6. The count is still 24. - The circle ruffles or curls. Too many or too few increases for your tension. Count each round; if the count is right, try a smaller or larger hook.
- Counting an increase as 1 stitch. An increase makes 2 stitches.
(sc 2, inc)uses 3 stitches of the round below and makes 4. - Losing track of the round. Keep a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round. See stitch markers and counting rounds.
Single Crochet Increase Symbol
A single crochet increase means working 2 sc into the same stitch. Charts draw it as a V (often with a small x on each arm). Chinese patterns call it 短针加针 or 1针放2针 and write it as “V”, so “6V” means increase in each of 6 stitches.
| US name and abbreviation | Single Crochet Increase (inc (2 sc in one st)) |
|---|---|
| UK name and abbreviation | Increase (2 dc in one st) (inc) |
| Chinese name | 短针加针 （1针放2针） |
| Chinese written shorthand | V |
| Japanese name | 細編み2目編み入れる |
What does “(1X, 1V)×6” mean?
Repeat 6 times: 1 single crochet, then 1 increase. It turns 12 stitches into 18.
What does “6V” mean in round 2?
Increase in every stitch of a 6-stitch round, giving 12 stitches.
Chart symbols on this page
Frequently asked questions
What does inc mean in crochet?
Increase. In amigurumi and single crochet patterns it means 2 single crochet in the same stitch, unless the pattern defines it differently.
What does V mean in a Chinese crochet pattern?
V is 短针加针 (also written 1针放2针): 2 single crochet in one stitch. 6V means increase in each of 6 stitches, giving 12.
Is an increase written the same way in UK patterns?
Usually yes, as “inc”. When spelled out, UK patterns say “2 dc in next st”, because UK double crochet is the US single crochet.
What does (2X,1V)×6 mean?
Repeat 6 times: 1 single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then 1 increase. It turns 18 stitches into 24.
Why do amigurumi rounds increase by 6?
Six increases per round keep a single crochet circle flat at typical amigurumi tension. Fewer increases make the piece cup into a bowl; more make it ruffle.
What does W mean in a Chinese pattern?
W is 1针放3针: 3 single crochet in one stitch, which adds 2 stitches. It is often used at the ends of ovals.
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