how do i increase at the end of a row?

Get creative with shaping in let crochet...

Once you reach the end of a row, increasing squares can be a little more of a challenge, but there are a number of nifty solutions, depending on whether the square is a block or a space. Try this method.

Step 1 At the end of the row, work the last stitch into the top of the turning chain on the row below. If your next square is a block, follow Steps 2 and 3. If your next square is a space, go straight to Step 4.

Step 2 If your next square is a block, work a double treble stitch into the same space as you worked the previous stitch – this will be into the top of the turning chain on the row below.

Step 3 Now work another double treble stitch into the side of the first dtr you made – start by working yrh twice and then insert the hook near the bottom of the post of the first dtr, approx one chain width up from the base. Finish the stitch as usual. If you’re not sure where to insert the hook, just try one place and see how it looks – if it’s not right,

try again further up or down the post of the dtr until you’ve made a square shape. If you’re working a filet mesh made up of trebles separated by 1ch, this will complete your first new square block. If you’re working a filet mesh made up of trebles separated by 2ch, you’ll need to work another dtr in the same way to complete the block.

Step 4 Alternatively, if your next square is a space and not a block, skip Steps 2 and 3. Instead, go ahead and ch1 or ch2 if you’re working the wider filet mesh.

Step 5 Then work a triple treble stitch into the same space as you worked the previous stitch – this will be into the top of the turning chain on the row below. This will create crochet lines that look like the foundation chain and the next treble. (If you’re working a filet mesh made up of trebles separated by 2ch, you’ll need to work a quadruple treble instead.)

Step 6 If you need to increase more squares, just work in the same way. Work 2dtr or 3dtr (as described in Step 3) to form another block (as shown), working into the side of the previous stitch. Work 1ch and trtr or 2ch and qtr (as described in Step 5) to form another space.

Alternatively, if you’re familiar with working crochet foundation rows, you can use this technique to form new blocks, working 2ftr or 3ftr into the last st on the row below.