Increase (inc)

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When you want to make your amigurumi wider or add volume, you’ll use an Increase (Inc) to add extra stitches. This is done by working two or more stitches into the same stitch from the previous row or round.

For example, to increase in single crochet, you simply place two single crochet stitches into one stitch. This technique allows your project to expand smoothly, helping to shape your adorable creations.

Why Use Increases in Amigurumi?

🐣 Shaping: Increases are essential for creating the rounded, 3D shapes of your amigurumi, like the body, head, or limbs. By increasing in specific areas, you can create smooth, gradual curves that give your project its dimensional form.

🚀 Volume: To give your amigurumi a full, plush appearance, increases are the way to go. Adding stitches at strategic points lets you control the size and give your creation that squishy, huggable look.

📜 Pattern Flow: Most amigurumi patterns rely on increases to shape different parts of the figure. You’ll often see instructions like "increase in the next stitch" or "2 sc in the next stitch," which means working two stitches into one spot.

How to Use Increases

Increases typically happen in rounds, especially when starting the base of your amigurumi. After creating your Magic Ring, you may need to increase in every stitch to quickly expand the circle. As you continue through the pattern, increases will be placed strategically to shape various parts of your project. Don’t worry about understanding patterns and abbreviations just yet—we’ll dive into those later in the course.

💡 Without increases, your amigurumi wouldn’t have its smooth, plush shape. Instead, it would remain flat or stiff, lacking that soft, rounded form.