Things You'll Need:
- crochet pattern
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Step 1
As you work through a crochet pattern you will notice several symbols in the instructions. These symbols are used to clarify the pattern for you: [ brackets ], { curlicue braces }, ( parentheses ), and *asterisks.
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Step 2
Brackets [] are used to set off a group of instructions worked a certain number of times. For example "[ch2, sc in next dc] 6 times" means to work the directions in the brackets 6 times.
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Step 3
Sometimes a set of instructions inside a set of brackets need to be repeated as well. When this happens, the text inside the brackets to be repeated will be set off with curlicue braces {}. For example: "[sc in each of next 2 sts, ch2, {shell in next ch-2 sp} 3 times, ch2] 4 times" Here, in each of the four times you work the instructions in the brackets, you will work the portion in the curlicue braces three times.
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Step 4
Parentheses () are used to set off a group of stitches to be worked all in one stitch, space or loop. For example: "sk 3, sc (3dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next st" means that after skipping 3 sc you will work 3dc, ch 1 and 3 more dc all in the next stitch.
If you are working a pattern that includes several sizes, the insatructions for the larger sizes are often givem in parentheses. -
Step 5
Single asterisks are used when a group of instructions is repeated. For example: " *dc in each of next 4 dc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, join with sl st in beg sc" means you will work the pattern from the first * around the entire row or round.
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Step 6
Double asterisks ** are used to indicate when a partial section of repeat instructions are to be worked. For example, "*ch 3 (sc, ch2, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch3**, dc in next dc, rep from * 3 times, ending last rep at **" means that on the third repeat of the single *, you stop at the double **.
