learning to decrease

[cathypatten]

I am new to crocheting and I started a pattern called Tower of Babel Hook Stand.It says to dec 1 on row 5 then on row 7 it just says to dec,with no 1 after it.Is there a difference?Here is the link to the pattern,http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tower-of-babel-hook-stand# .Thanks

[redrosesdz]

Welcome to Crochetville!

 

Normally there is no number after inc or dec.  Dec 1 and dec are the same thing.  They both mean to decrease once.

 

Here's a hint: Take a look at the stitch counts at the end of most rows.  See how rows 2-4 are 27 stitches and row 5 is 26 stitches.  It means you have to decrease one stitch.  Then row 7 goes down to 25 stitches.  Also, when you are repeating row 6 (a non-decrease row) and row 7 (a decrease once row) 5 times, you'll decrease every time you repeat row 7.  That's what takes your count from 25 to 20 (5 decrease rows.)  Pay attention to stitch counts.  At the end of EVERY row, count your stitches to make sure they match the count in the pattern.

[magiccrochetfan]

hi, welcome to the ville!

 

in this case dec is the same as dec 1.  a way to check how many to decrease is to look at he stitch count at the end of the row. if it is one less than the previous row, then the number to decrease is 1. 

 

for other patterns, any time it says dec it should only mean to do it once.  if it means more than 1, it should give you a number.  this would apply to other stitches as well, if it says "sc" with no number, it should mean to make 1 sc.  

[magiccrochetfan]

Hi Sharon!  haha, somehow I just knew I was typing at the same time as somebody! ;-)  

[redrosesdz]

ROFL!  For once mine beat yours.  I'm usually typing a book and you're so concise.  LOL