Invisible Decrease vs Regular Decrease: Which Crochet Technique is Best for Amigurumi?
Kate PickardShare
Welcome to Plushie School, our free learning series for anyone who loves making crochet plushies. Whether you're picking up a crochet hook for the first time or looking to perfect your amigurumi skills, each guide is packed with practical advice to help you create plushies you'll love. Be sure to check out Lesson 2: 7 Common Crochet Plushie Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them), and don't miss Lesson 4, How to Sew Crochet Plushie Parts Together Neatly.
Today, we're looking at one simple technique that can completely transform the finish of your crochet creations: the invisible decrease.
If you've ever wondered why some amigurumi look beautifully smooth while others have noticeable gaps or bumps, this is often the reason.
Let's take a closer look.
What Is a Crochet Decrease?
A decrease is simply a way of turning two stitches into one. This allows you to shape your crochet project by gradually making it smaller.
You'll use decreases when creating:
- Heads
- Bodies
- Legs
- Arms
- Ears
- Tails
- Food plushies
- Pretty much any round amigurumi shape!
Without decreases, your plushies would stay the same width all the way through.
What Is a Regular Decrease?
A regular decrease works exactly as it sounds—you crochet two stitches together using the normal method.
While this works perfectly well for garments and many other crochet projects, it can leave small gaps when used with stuffed crochet plushies.
Those gaps become much more noticeable once your plushie is filled with stuffing.
Pros
✔ Quick to learn
✔ Works well for flat crochet
✔ Found in many older patterns
Cons
✘ Can leave visible holes
✘ Stuffing may show through
✘ Creates a less polished finish
What Is an Invisible Decrease?
An invisible decrease is a slightly different way of crocheting two stitches together.
Instead of working through both loops of each stitch, you work through the front loops only before completing the stitch.
The result?
A much smoother, tighter decrease that blends beautifully into your work.
It's one of the first techniques most amigurumi designers recommend learning because it instantly improves the appearance of crochet plushies.
Why Plushie Makers Love Invisible Decreases
At Sew Sew Crochet, almost every plushie we make uses invisible decreases.
Whether it's shaping a pigeon's head, creating rounded food plushies or finishing tiny keyrings, the smoother finish makes a noticeable difference.
- Invisible decreases help to:
- Create cleaner shaping
- Reduce gaps between stitches
- Hide stuffing more effectively
- Produce a professional finish
- Make your plushies look smoother in photographs
These small details might seem insignificant while you're crocheting, but they really stand out once your plushie is finished.
Is an Invisible Decrease Hard to Learn?
Not at all.
Many beginners assume it's an advanced technique, but it's actually one of the easiest improvements you can make.
After a few practice rounds, it quickly becomes second nature.
In fact, many crocheters never go back to using regular decreases for amigurumi once they've learnt the invisible version.
When Should You Use a Regular Decrease?
Although invisible decreases are ideal for crochet plushies, regular decreases still have their place.
They're often perfectly suitable for:
- Blankets
- Clothing
- Scarves
- Shawls
- Flat crochet projects
Because these items aren't stuffed, the small gaps aren't usually noticeable.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you're making crochet plushies or amigurumi, the answer is simple.
Choose the invisible decrease.
It creates a cleaner finish, hides stuffing more effectively and helps your plushies look more professional with very little extra effort.
For non-stuffed crochet projects, either technique will usually work perfectly well.
Top Tips for Perfect Invisible Decreases
If you're ready to give invisible decreases a try, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep your tension even throughout the project.
- Don't pull the yarn too tightly, as this can distort the shape.
- Practise on a small swatch before starting a large plushie.
- Use a stitch marker so you don't lose track of your rounds.
- Pair invisible decreases with a slightly smaller hook for the smoothest finish.
Like any crochet skill, the more you practise, the more natural it becomes.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes it's the smallest techniques that make the biggest difference.
Learning the invisible decrease won't dramatically change how long your plushie takes to make, but it can dramatically improve how it looks.
If you're aiming for smooth, polished amigurumi, it's a technique well worth mastering.
At Sew Sew Crochet, it's one of those little tricks we use time and time again to help bring every plushie to life.
Continue Your Plushie School Journey
Previous Lesson: 7 Common Crochet Plushie Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Next Lesson: How to Sew Crochet Plushie Parts Together Neatly
In the next lesson, we'll share our favourite tips for attaching arms, legs, ears and wings neatly, helping you avoid wonky limbs and create beautifully balanced plushies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an invisible decrease in crochet?
An invisible decrease is a crochet technique where you work through the front loops of two stitches before completing a single crochet. It creates a smoother finish with fewer visible gaps.
Why do amigurumi patterns use invisible decreases?
Invisible decreases reduce holes in your crochet, helping to hide stuffing and create cleaner shaping. They're one of the most popular techniques used in modern amigurumi patterns.
Can beginners learn invisible decreases?
Absolutely. Although it sounds technical, it's a simple technique that most beginners can learn after a little practice.
Do I always need to use invisible decreases?
No. Invisible decreases are recommended for stuffed crochet projects like plushies, while regular decreases work perfectly well for blankets, garments and other flat crochet projects.