How to Read Crochet Patterns
I bet every crocheter remembers the dreadful first time they read a crochet pattern and had no clue what they were reading. I know for sure that happened to me! Let’s get rid of all that frustration and decrypt crochet patterns once and for all. Here is a basic guide to start reading crochet patterns.
Basic Crochet Abbreviations
For some reason pattern writers are too lazy to spell every word out. So they use abbreviations for just about every single word in the pattern. The master list of crochet abbreviations is always handy, but here are the basics to get started.
| Abbreviation | |
| ch | chain stitch |
| ch- | refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space |
| ch-sp | chain space, the space made by the chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| dec | decrease/decreases/decreasing |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| inc | increase/increases/increasing |
| lp(s) | loops |
| MC | main color |
| pm | place marker |
| rep | repeat(s) |
| rnd(s) | round(s) |
| sc | single crochet |
| sk | skip |
| sl st | slip sitich |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| tr | treble crochet |
| yo | yarn over |
Basic Crochet Symbols
Not only do pattern writers use abbreviations, they also use special symbols. Most symbols are used to indicate what parts of the pattern are to be repeated. Here are the primary ones.
| Abbreviation | |
| [ ] | work instructions within brackets as many times as directed |
| ( ) | work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed |
| * | repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
| * * | repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions |
Crochet Syntax
Now that we know basic abbreviations and symbols, lets take some examples and examine them.
Example 1
Row 1: With red, ch 21, turn, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across: 20 sc
This is the first row you are crocheting and you will be using your red colored yarn. Make a chain that is 21 chains long. Then turn you crochet work to work in the opposite direction. Make a single crochet stitch in the second chain from your hook. Then make a single crochet in each of the chains across the row. When you finish this row, you will have made 20 single crochet stitches.
Note: When you count the second chain from your hook. Do not count the loop that is on your hook. The first chain from your hook is the chain right after the loop on your hook. So the second would be the chain after that.
Example 2
Round 1: With Beige, ch 2, 8 sc in second ch from hook, place marker: 8 sc
This is the first round that you will be crocheting and you will use your beige colored yarn. Round means that you will be crochet in a circle shape.
Start by making a chain that is 2 chains long. Remember that the loop on your hook does not count as a one of the chains. Next, make 8 single crochet stitches in the second chain from your hook. Then place a marker. At the end of this round you will have crocheted 8 single crochet stitches.
Note: Markers are used to keep track of where the round ends and a new round begins. When you crochet around a circle, it is very easy to loose track of where to stop and start a new round if you do not use a marker. A marker can be a small scrap piece of yarn. To place a marker, just insert it into the loop that is on your hook. At the end of every round, you should move the marker and put it into the new loop that is on your hook.
Example 3:
Round 5: (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc) around: 30 dc
This is the fifth round of a crochet project. Make 2 double crochet stitches in the next crochet stitch, which was a double crochet in the previous round. Then make a double crochet stitch in the next 3 stitches. Repeat this all the way around, until you reach the end of this round. You will have completed 30 double crochets in this round.
Note: You will know you reached the end of this round when you reach your marker. For this round, do not crochet in the loop that has the marker in it, stop in the stitch right before it, since the loop with the marker represents the beginning of the next round.
There are unlimited amounts of examples that can be placed here. Even expert crocheters have trouble reading crochet patterns from time to time. Just remember to not get frustrated, and to ask for help when you need it! If there is a line in a crochet pattern that you don’t understand post it here! I’ll love to interpret it with you! Or if you have a great example that you think others will find helpful, feel free to share it!
Hey Nikki, you are doing it right, after you dc in the ch-2 space, you ch 2, then dc in the same ch-2 space.
Thanks Rachel! I appreciate the help.
Hi! Im so glad I found a place to ask for help with a pattern! Im so stumped! (…im new to this…)
When a pattern says: 2 dc in same st as turning ch, ch 1, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc
The turning stitch is the stitch after the chains I just made right? I made 3 chains before I turned so it would be the 4th stitch? But..when you “sc in the next dc” does that mean crochet into the next chain or the hole made by the dc below? Thanks !!!
Hello, Thanks for the help. I am on the Row 3 of the Lacy Shawl pattern by Leisure Arts and I can’t figure out what its telling me to do. Here it is.
Row #3- Ch 4, turn; (tr, ch3, sc) in next Cluster, ch3, work First leg of Cluster, *skip next sc, work (second Leg of Cluster, ch 3, sc) in next Cluster, ch 3, work First Leg of Cluster; repeat from * across to last sc, work Second Leg of Cluster in last sc: 56 Clusters and on tr. That’s it.
I do know how to do the clusters because I did them on row 2. I just can’t figure out how to get started on row #3.
Thanks for any help you can give me. Jan
Hi Seira, yes, you make your stitches into the 4th stitch for the “2 sc in same st as turning chain” if your turning chain is 3 chains. When it says “sc in next dc” you will make your single crochet into the loops created by the next double crochet on the previous row.
Hi Jan, start off by chaining 4, then turning. Being that a cluster is a group of stitches that are joined together at the top, and that there should be a cluster on the previous row, you are suppose to (tr, ch 3, sc) into the stitch on the previous row that is at the top of the cluster you made. Then chain 3. Then work “First Leg of Cluster”, I’m not sure what this is, but it seems like it should be defined somewhere in the pattern as to what series of stitches this is referring to. After working that part of the pattern, repeat from the * until you reach the last single crochet. Then work the the “Second Leg of Cluster”, this should also be define somewhere in the pattern.
Thank You Rachel!
I made a few rows to be sure, now I understand the pattern =)
Hi Rachel:
I’m a new crocheter, I don’t understand this part of the pattern please help, 1 sc in each of next 4 dc, draw up a loop in each of next 2 dc, yo & through all 3 loops for a dec, repeat from * around 50 sc
Hi Joann, this is telling you to make a single crochet into each of the next 4 stitches in the round, which happen to be double crochets you made on the previous round. Then you are going to make a decrease by inserting you hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch, then insert your hook into the next stitch and do the same thing. Now there should be 3 loops on your hook, so yarn over and pull the strand of yarn through all 3 loops on your hook.
The * is telling you where to repeat from (there should be a beginning * and and ending *) and you will repeat the instructions within the 2 *’s until you reach the end of the round.
Hi Rachel:
Thanks for answering but after I do the yo & through all 3 loops for a dec, whats next do I only repeat the 1 sc in each dc to end of the row – or do I repeat the 1 sec— & repeat the yo & through all the way to the end of the row.
And before I started this entire row it did not tell me to ch 3 – so do I just slip stitch and then start the 1 sec in each of next etc.
Joann, you repeat starting where the first * is. From what you copied, it doesn’t show the first *, so the information is not complete for me to tell you where to repeat from. Also, if it did not tell you to make a chain at the beginning, then do not make a chain at the beginning. If it doesn’t say to slip stitch then do not slip stitch either. Some patterns are worked in a spiral, where you just continue around without joining.
I am fairly new to crocheting. I have made a few things, like afghans and pillows, when I was younger. However, I bought a Bernat ball of yarn today, and wanted to make a baby blanket. It seemed to come back like it was yesterday, until I got to the following spot:
Ch2. [(Yoh and draw up a loop. Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3times.Yoh and draw through all loops on hook - CL made. Ch 2] twice in next ch-3 sp.
I have tried everything that I can think of to get this to work, and seem to be missing the point here. Your help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much.
Hi Labudd, I believe it is tying to tell you to make a cluster. To make your cluster in this pattern you will chain 2 then (yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull the strand of yarn though the stitch, yarn over , draw through 2 loops on hook) do the instructions with in the parenthesis 3 times, then yarn over and draw through all loops on hook (there should be 4 loops). Then chain 2. You are going to make 2 of these clusters in the next chain-3 space.
I’m a complete beginner but I really wanted to make something so I started out with a ball. What does it mean when it says this:
Rd 2: 2 sc in each st around (10)
Rd 3: * Sc in next st, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (15)
Rd 4: * Sc in next 2 sts, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (20)
Rd 5: * Sc in next 3 sts, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (25)
Rd 6: * Sc in next 4 sts, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (30)
Thanks
Hi Alexis, just replace the abbreviations with the real words and it should read like plain English. Use this link to access the abbreviations and symbols: Crochet Abbreviations Also, the numbers in the ( ) tell you how many stitches you made in that round.
I have came across a stitch that I do not know how to make. I have looked over your sight, and found the crochet index, however, I don’t see a place that it shows how to make a particular stitch. If there is one, would you kindly give me a link to it?
Treble crochet – never heard of it before on this pattern. I would appreciate it if you could direct me to where I can learn how to do it.
Thank you so much for all of your help. Thank you for being willing to help people do this.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, Here is the tutorial for treble crochet: How to Crochet: Treble Crochet Stitches (tr)
Hi Rachel,
I’m new in crocheting and I find your blog very helpful…
I have a question: I’m trying to follow a pattern and there is a line saying: “Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook; do not join, place marker” and then the second Rnd starts with making sc (this is very similar to the second example in your blog).
my question is how does this (the first rnd) turns to be a round or how do I continue to the second rnd (since it doesn’t say to join or loop)? it just looks like a row at the end of the second rnd…
thanks…
Hi Lital,
When you do 6 sc in the second ch from your hook, you are making a very small circle. Because you are not joining at the end of the round, you begin the next round by single crocheting into the first single crochet you made on the first round. The next stitch you will crochet into will be the second stitch you made on the first round and so on.
What does single crochet in end mean? I have gone down the line and now need to do 3 SC in end.
Hi Scarlett, I’m not 100% sure, but it might be referring the the turning chain if there is one. If you can, I would ask the designer of the pattern, since each designer has his/her own writing style.
hi rachel, i’ve been busy lately have not been on your site for a while. i’ve been trying to make some berets for the young girls in my family. i seem to be doing something wrong because the 1st beret i did fits my niece…. she’s 2… the second will fit her next year.. ha ha. so i stopped until i had time to ask you what i was doing wrong . here’s the pattern..it’s from bernat… there are two versions… one with stripes if you wish to have a solid color beret simply omit ref to joining 2nd color in pattern.
HELP … everybody keeps asking where’s my hat!
w/ I-9 or 5.5 hook
with
MC. ch.6 join w/ sl st to form a ring
1st rnd: ch 1. 12 sc in ring. join w/ sl st to first sc
2nd rnd: ch 1. (1 sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. join w/ sl st to first sc. 18 sc.
3rd rnd: ch 1 (1sc in each of next 2 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. join A w/ sl st to first sc. do not break MC. 24 sc.
4th rnd: With A, ch 1. (1 sc in each of the next 3 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. join w/ sl st to first sc, 30 sc.
5th rnd: ch 1. (1 sc in each of next 4 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. join MC w/ sl st to first sc. Do not break A. 36 sc.
last 4 rnds form stripe pattern.
This is where i get confused and can’t seem to get the pattern right…
keeping continuity of stripe pat (2 rnds of MC, 2 rnds of A), inc 6 sts in each rnd, as established to 120 sc and ending with 2 rnds of MC.
next 2 rnds: with A, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around join MC w/sl st to first sc at the end of 2nd rnd.
next rnd: w/MC, ch 1. 1 sc in each of the first 18sc. draw up a loop in each of the next 2 sc. yoy and draw through all loops on hook. sc2 tog made. *1 sc in each of next 18 sc. sc2tog over next 2 sc. rep from *4 times more. join w/ sl st to first sc. 114 sts.
next rnd: ch 1. * 1 sc in each of next 17 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. Rep from * 5 times more. Join A w/ sl st to first sc. 108 sts.
Next rnd: with A, ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 7 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. Rep from * 11 times more. Join w/ sl st to first sc. 96 sts.
Next rnd: ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 10 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. rep from * 7 times more. join MC w/ sl st to first sc. 88 sts.
Next rnd: w/ MC, ch 1. * 1 sc in each of next 9 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts rep from* 7 times more. join MC w/sl st to first sc. 80sts.
Next rnd: ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 6 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. Rep from * 9 times more. join A w/ sl st to first sc. 70 sts.
Next rnd: w/ A ch1. *1 sc in each of next 5 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. Rep from * 9 times more. join A w/ sl st to first sc. 60 sts.
Next rnd: ch 1. *1 sc in each of next 8 sts. Sc2tog over next 2 sts. Rep from * 5 times more, join w/ MC sl st to first sc. 54 sts. Break A.
Next 3 rnds: w/MC, ch1. 1 sc in each st around. Join w/ sl st to first sc. Fasten off
Hi Anna, did you check your guage if the pattern provided one? Also if the hat looks right, but it’s just too big, I would suggest using a smaller hook and measuring the hat as you go along. Once you notice that the hat is bigger than you like, take out a row or 2 until it is the size you want it, and then continue on with the pattern. you can also alter the pattern, so that the last few rows are tighter, by adding more decreases into the row.
wow, you got back fast but its not that its too big or too small its the directions wht the heck is it telling me to do here:
keeping continuity of stripe pat (2 rnds of MC, 2 rnds of A), inc 6 sts in each rnd, as established to 120 sc and ending with 2 rnds of MC.
inc 6 sts in each rnd…. what does that mean how do i do that? i think i’m suppose to go back and repeat rows 2,3,4,5 but how do i inc 6 sts in each rnd ????
thanks for all your help your a crochet angel.
Hi Anna, I see I forgot to answer that question!
To increase by 6 stitches here is what the next few rounds would look like:
Round 6: (1 sc in each of next 5 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times
Round 7: (1 sc in each of next 6 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times
Round 8: (1 sc in each of next 7 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times
Round 9: (1 sc in each of next 8 sc. 2 sc in next sc) 6 times
etc.
The pattern is that the number in the “1 sc in each of next _ sc” increases by one each time you do a new round. This is what makes it increase by 6 stitches. So you continue doing this until the total number of stitches in your round is 120. Also, don’t forget to sl st at the end of each round as you did in the previous rounds. I think that the pattern should have written out these lines for you.
thanks so much i’ll give it a go tonight or tomorrow…..anna