Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog) Easy Sc Decrease

Single Crochet is one of the first stitches you learn when learning to crochet. This tutorial will show you how to single crochet 2 together (sc2tog), which is an easy way to decrease stitches in order to shape your fabric!

How to Single Crochet Two Together - Sc2Tog Tutorial

No matter whether your crochet pattern tells you to decrease in single crochet or single crochet two together, it means exactly the same thing. It may even tell you to make a two-stitch single crochet cluster as a textural or design element. Each of these instructions is worked in the same way.

Abbreviations for Single Crochet 2 Together

The abbreviation for single crochet two together is sc2tog crochet. Some patterns may write this as dec sc or sc dec. Read more about basic crochet stitches.

• sc = single crochet stitch
• dec = decrease
• tog = together
• YO = yarn over
• st(s) = stitch (es)
• FLO = front loop only
• BLO = back loop only
• dc2tog = double crochet 2 together

Supplies

• Yarn and crochet hook size suitable.

How to Single Crochet Two Together (Sc2tog) Step By Step

Single Crochet Recap

First, be sure of how to make a single crochet stitch:

1. Chain
2. Insert hook into second chain.
3. YO, draw through loop.
4. YO, draw through 2 loops.

The turning chain for single crochet is 1 chain stitch.

How to Single Crochet 2 Together (Single Crochet Decrease)

Whenever you need to work a decrease, you will start the first single crochet stitch, leave it incomplete, start the second stitch, and complete both stitches together. This means that your two single crochet stitches will combine at the top, forming only one stitch and reducing your stitch count by one.

Here is the summary of the sc2tog instructions:

Step 1 - Work up to Decrease Point

Work single crochet up to where the decrease is required. The pattern may require it at the start of a row, end of a row, or in the center of a row.

Step 2 - Insert Hook

• Start as for a normal single crochet. Insert hook into next stitch.

Step 3 - Yarn Over and Pull Through

• Yarn over and pull up a loop, just as you would for any single crochet.

Do not complete the stitch. You will have 2 loops on your hook. This creates the base of the first single crochet.

Step 4 - Insert Hook

Move on to making the next single crochet. You still have 2 loops on your hook, but ignore this and go ahead with the next single crochet.

• Insert hook into next stitch.

Step 5 - Yarn Over and Pull Through

• Yatn over and pull up a loop. You will have 3 loops on the hook now.

This creates the base of the second single crochet. You now have half of 2 single crochet stitches on the hook, waiting to be completed.

Step 6 - Yarn Over and Pull Through 3

• Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

This will finish both stitches at once and combine the two stitches into one. The 2 stitches will form a tiny cluster by being joined at the top.

Where to Do a Sc2Tog Decrease

If you want your decreases to have a smooth appearance, it is better to work them one stitch into the row rather than decreasing on the very first two stitches of the row, even if your pattern says to decrease at the beginning of the row.

This creates a smoother edge. It looks nicer and creates a tidier seam if you make a garment. Some designers call this a “soft decrease” because it creates a gentle curve to your decreases.

Invisible Single Crochet 2 Together Decrease

This is often written as “inv dec” in patterns. It is also known as the slip stitch decrease, even though it is just a modified sc2tog crochet stitch.

• Sc to where the decrease needs to be. Insert hook into the front loop only (FLO) of the next stitch. To do this, look at the top of the stitch you are about to work into.

Normally you will insert the hook through both loops at the top of this stitch. In this case, you insert the hook only into the front half of the stitch.

• Do not pull through at all. Continue by inserting the hook into the FLO of the next stitch along.

• Yarn over, pull up a loop. (3 loops)

• Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Your invisible decrease is complete.

Single Crochet 2 Together for Ribbing

Often, when working on an amigurumi project or creating a ribbing crochet effect, you will be working into the back loop only (BLO) of each single crochet. You can work the decrease in the same way:

• Insert hook under the back loop only of the next stitch. You can see I have placed the yellow needle through the back loop.

• Insert hook under BLO of the following stitch.
• YO, pull up a loop.

• YO, pull through all 3 loops.

This one is only invisible if the main body of the crochet fabric is all worked in BLO sc. The ridges of the front loops hide the stitches being grouped together.

Another Method Of Invisible SC2Tog

The first method of single crochet 2 together decreases only at the top of your stitches. The second method hides the grouping together by working into front loops only. This method pulls the stitches together at the base and at the top by slipping the stitches together at the base.

• Sc to where your decrease is needed. If the pattern says “at the beginning of the row,” work 1 sc first before decreasing. This creates a smoother slope.
• Insert hook into next stitch
• Yarn over, pull up loop. (You will have 2 loops on the hook) This is the base of the first sc stitch. Do not complete the stitch.

• Insert the hook into the next stitch.

• Yarn over, draw up loop through the stitch AND through both loops on the hook, all at the same time.

This is almost like creating a decrease and a slip stitch at the same time. You can still see the decreased stitches at first, but as you work along the row, they blend in nicely and are no longer visible.

This makes the decrease happen at the bottom and the top of the working row, rather than only at the top, which makes it more difficult to see the two stitches pulled together.

Practicing Single Crochet 2 Together

If you have never worked any of these decreases before or have only worked the first one, practice! They will become easier and smoother as you practice, and you can see which method works best for you.

Make up a few little swatches, and try each type of sc2tog at the beginning of a row; try one stitch in as I suggested above, and try working them at both the beginning and the end of a row as you would when shaping a sleeve.

Practice making them in the round, as if you are making a hat or an amigurumi. Try decreasing constantly in the middle of a row, one on top of the other. See how each method looks if you are decreasing on every stitch to halve your stitch count.

All this practicing will make each method become easier to work with, and you will be able to look at each of the practice swatches and decide which method and positioning of decreases you like the best, then adapt your pattern accordingly.

Crochet 2 Together with Other Stitches

The decrease method is the same, whatever basic stitch you are using to 2 single crochet together. While I am covering sc2tog in detail here, the technique is the same for double crochet, half double crochet, treble stitch, or any stitch required.

All stitches need you to work the first stitch, stop just before the last pull-through of the stitch, work the beginning of the next stitch, then complete both stitches by working the final pull-through on both stitches at once.

Single Crochet Two Together - In Conclusion

Single crochet two together will help you to shape your garments or crochet projects beautifully or will enable you to work crochet triangle shapes if you decrease in every single row. These triangles can be used to make triangular motifs to stitch together as a blanket, bunting, or even shawls if worked on a large scale!

So do enjoy joining the happy tribe of crocheters worldwide, and add these sc2tog skills to your repertoire!