How to Double Crochet Three Together (dc3tog)

The double crochet three together (dc3tog) technique among others is used to create decreases in crochet to eliminate one or more stitches. An external decrease is worked at the beginning or end of a row, at the side edge. Internal decreases, like dc3tog, are worked within the row. Generally you'll find decrease instructions in an individual pattern to suite the particular stitch being worked, but here are the basics on how to double crochet three together.

[Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up loop (Figure 1), yarn over, draw through 2 loops (Figure 2)] 3 times (4 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through all loops on hook (Figure 3)—2 stitches decreased (Figure 4).