inc — Increase (Abbreviation)
inc stands for "increase" — a general term for adding a stitch, used both craft-neutrally as an umbrella word and as shorthand for a specific technique in context. Unlike a named increase such as kfb or M1, bare "inc" doesn't by itself specify the exact mechanical method.
Why "inc" alone often needs more context
A pattern that says "inc 1 st" without further detail is usually relying on either an established convention stated earlier in the pattern, or an assumption that any reasonable increase method will do (true when the exact visual result doesn't matter much for that specific spot). Where the exact look does matter — symmetrical raglan shaping, for instance — patterns are almost always more specific, naming kfb, M1L, M1R, or another named method directly rather than leaving it to "inc" alone.
In crochet specifically
Crochet's version of inc is typically working two (or more) stitches into a single base stitch — see increasing evenly in crochet for how spacing, not just total inc count, actually controls whether a piece stays flat and round.
Where it shows up
Shaping instructions across both crafts — "inc 4 sts evenly across row," "inc 6 sts per round" — describing how many stitches to add and often how to space them, without necessarily dictating the specific technique for each individual increase.
Related abbreviations
- dec — decrease, inc's direct counterpart
- kfb / m1 — specific named knit increases inc might point to depending on context
- st(s) — stitches, the unit inc counts are stated in
FAQ
Does "inc" always mean adding exactly one stitch per instance? Not necessarily — "inc 1" adds one stitch, but "2-st inc" or similar phrasing describes a single increase action that adds more than one stitch at once, so check the exact stated count rather than assuming inc always means a single stitch.
Is inc used identically in knit and crochet pattern-writing conventions? The general concept is shared, but the actual mechanical default differs by craft — knitting has several distinct named increase techniques (kfb, M1, yo) with real visual differences between them, while crochet's inc is more uniformly "work multiple stitches into one base stitch" regardless of stitch height.