How to Invisible Increase in Crochet | Step-by-Step + Video Tutorial

The invisible increase (commonly abbreviated “inc”) is a core crochet stitch that you’ll see used in many patterns, but mostly in plushies (also called “amigurumi”). Whether you’re brand new to crochet or just need a quick refresher, this tutorial will walk you through exactly how to make the stitch, with clear written steps and a video you can follow along with.

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What Is the Invisible Increase Used For?

The invisible increase is commonly used for:

• Decreasing holes in thick fabrics where increases are needed
• Making increases less obvious on a plushy with many rounds of increases back-to-back

The invisible increase is completely optional. While it is a great way to fine-tune your amigurumi projects, regular increases can be more reasonable in many cases, like when using a yarn that makes it hard to see the stitches.

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Skill Level & Stitch Details

• Skill level: Easy
• Common abbreviation: Use anywhere you see “inc”
• Works with: Any yarn weight
• Commonly used in: plushies (amigurumi), toys, and accessories. Almost always used exclusivly when working working in the round. When working in rows, the invisible increase is often unnecessary.

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Watch: How to Make the Invisible Increase

Prefer learning by watching? Use the video tutorial below.

If the video doesn’t load, click here.

If you’d rather follow written instructions, keep scrolling for a step-by-step breakdown.

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Step-By-Step | How to Make the Invisible Increase

1. In the next st (the stitch you wish to increase), work the first single crochet into the front loop only.
2. Work the second sc of the increase into the back loop only of the same stitch.

Always work FLO –> BLO. Doing it the other way is really hard to see. 🙂

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Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

If your invisible increase doesn’t look quite right, here are a few common issues:

Problem: The increase is still visible or leaves gaps.
Fix: Make sure you are working into one loop at a time in the stitch you wish to increase and not accidently working into the next stitch, and keep your tension even. We tend to tighten up on “difficult” stitches, which will leave gaps once we start crocheting the other stitches with our normal tension.

Problem: The stitch feels awkward or hard to insert your hook into.
Fix: This is normal at first. Rotate your work slightly so you can clearly see the front loops, and use your hook tip to gently lift the loop before inserting the hook. And make sure you are working the front loop FIRST and the back loop SECOND.

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Related Crochet Tutorials

If you’re learning this stitch, you may also find these helpful:

• Single Crochet
• Invisible Decreases
• Working in the Round

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HbK Patterns that use the Invisible Increase

Really, anywhere you use a regular increase, you can use an invisible one. I find they make the biggest difference on really defined yarns (like cotton or some bulky yarns), where each stitch is very visible.

But if you want to just try them out a bit, here are some great free beginner patterns to get you started.

• Little Oyster
• Baby Seal
• Jellyfish
• Indoor Snowballs

Final Notes

The invisible increase is a useful crochet skill that you may fall in love with.

If you found this tutorial helpful, the rest of the Beginner’s playlist on YouTube may be useful for you.