How to Decipher Crochet Patterns

Crochet pattern instructions look confusing at first. The use of abbreviations, symbols and charts is intended to cut down on the amount of space needed to print the directions. It’s worth learning how to decipher them because they are fairly standard. Once you understand how to read the instructions, you'll be able to stitch just about any crochet pattern. It helps to read through all the directions before you start crocheting to test your understanding of them. This can eliminate stitching mistakes.

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the abbreviations used for crochet patterns. They are often the same from one pattern to the next, but projects typically include a list of abbreviations and their meanings along with the directions. Abbreviations aren’t difficult to figure out. For example, the single crochet stitch abbreviation is “SC.” References to the right side of the crochet project are indicated by “RS.”

2. Look over the sections of the pattern instructions that are enclosed in parentheses and brackets. They are often used to group directions that need to be carried out at one time. For instance, they may indicate that several stitches need to be worked into one stitch.

3. Find all sections of the pattern where asterisks appear. This is where you’ll find steps that need to be repeated several times. Make sure you understand these steps and note the number of times they need to be repeated so that rows of stitches won't be skipped.

4. Examine accompanying symbol charts. Sometimes crochet patterns include symbol charts to help crocheters who like to stitch patterns visually instead of following line-by-line instructions. Familiarize yourself with the symbol key that represents the stitches used. A single instruction or stitch is represented by each symbol. Follow the numbered rows in the sequence indicated on the chart.

5. Follow filet crochet charts from the bottom up, working from side to side. Follow the numbers on the sides of these charts in the sequence given. These charts often include blank squares and squares with large dots in the center. Each empty square signifies one space that is to be left when stitching. Each large dot represents a block to be stitched.

6. Work with a crochet pattern’s color chart from the bottom up as well. These charts are used to represent color motifs that are to be stitched into a crochet project. Each square represents one stitch, and each row of the chart is typically numbered. The odd-numbered rows are read from right to left when stitching. Even-numbered rows are read from left to right.

Resources

• Lion Brand: Crochet abbreviations