How to Read Crochet Patterns

The key to reading crochet patterns is understanding the writing style, which includes crochet abbreviations and symbols. It's not necessary to learn the abbreviations and symbols all at once. Instead, you can refer to a list as you find these terms in your crochet patterns. Another thing to understand is that crochet is not standardized, which means there are no rules that a pattern or stitch has to be written or worked the same way by everyone. This allows a lot of freedom for designers, but it can also make understanding terminology and pattern text more difficult. Take each step of the pattern one small bit at a time, and apply reasoning and your crochet knowledge as much as possible.

Here are some things to remember when reading crochet patterns:

Crochet patterns are worked in either rows or rounds (abbreviated rnds). Each pattern will specify whether you are working in rows, rounds or a combination of both.
Most crochet patterns are rated with a skill level, such as beginner, easy, intermediate or advanced. Choose the level of difficulty most suited to your crochet abilities. Avoid the frustration of trying to work with a crochet pattern that is too advanced. As you gain more crochet experience, you will be able to successfully tackle more difficult patterns. A word of caution: Skill level labeling can be very subjective. What is easy to one person may not be easy for another. If possible, judge the skill level by stitches or techniques used, and if you understand those, give it a shot!
It is important to count your stitches as you work so you have as many stitches on each row or round as the pattern indicates. If no stitch count is given for a row or round, it usually means that it has not changed from the previous stitch count given.
Always check your gauge. While it may not be vital if you have a plentiful supply of the yarn or thread needed and the finished product doesn’t need to be a specific size, you will be setting yourself up for disappointment if you are making a project that needs to be the size indicated in the pattern and your gauge does not match the pattern. To check your gauge, crochet a swatch approximately 6 inches by 6 inches in the stitch pattern used in the crochet instructions. Then measure the stitches and rows in the center 4 inch square of the swatch. If you have fewer stitches worked over the measurement than indicated in the pattern, try a smaller hook. If you have more stitches, try a larger hook. Read the article in this stitch guide that talks all about gauge to get more information.
Reading crochet patterns takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand all of the patterns you would like to crochet at first. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. Before long, you’ll be able to follow any crochet pattern you wish.
You may find it helpful to take a class in learning to crochet. Check with local craft stores and continuing education centers to see what is available. If you have a friend who crochets, he or she may be willing to get you started.
If you are working a pattern that also has a how-to video, do not rely solely on the video to create the project. Read and compare the written text to what is happening in the video. This will help you get a better grasp of how to read the pattern instructions, which will help you read other pattern instructions in the future.

To most beginners, a pattern written in crochet abbreviations looks like a foreign language. To help simplify things, we’ve given two rows of a single crochet pattern written first in crochet abbreviations, then repeated in standard English. As you can see, writing a pattern in crochet abbreviations takes up less space and helps you to focus on the instructions.

Written in crochet abbreviations, our sample row 1 looks like this:

Row 1: With size H hook, ch 15, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (14 sc)

Now, written in standard English, row 1 looks like this:

Row 1: Using a size H crochet hook, make 15 chain stitches, single crochet in the 2nd chain stitch from the hook and in each chain stitch across, turn. (There are 14 single crochet at the end of this row.)

Written in crochet abbreviations, our sample row 2 looks like this:

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in each rem sc across to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, turn. (16 sc)

Written in standard English, row 2 looks like this:

Row 2: Chain 1, work 2 single crochet in the first single crochet of row 1, work a single crochet in each remaining single crochet of row 1 except for the last single crochet; work 2 single crochet in the last single crochet of row 1, turn. (You have increased 1 stitch in the first single crochet of this row and 1 stitch in the last single crochet of this row for a total of 2 added stitches. There are 16 single crochet at the end of this row.)

Symbols

Crochet patterns use symbols to signal repeated text, special instructions and clarifying information. Below are some common symbols:

( ) Parentheses are used to indicate collective stitch groups worked as one procedure in the same stitch or space. They are also used for additional or clarifying information, often indicated by italic text.

Examples:

In the below, you would work the instructions within the parentheses in the place indicated.

(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp

(sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in next st

If you see something like the below at the end of a row or round, it is your stitch count for that row or round.

(48 dc)

(88 [94, 106, 112] sc) -- includes multiple stitch counts for different size options or rows/rounds

If you see something like the below, it indicates which direction your work is facing -- with the right side (front) or wrong side (back) facing you.

Row 1 (RS):

[ ] Brackets indicate a set of instructions to be repeated; they are also used to indicate information for alternate size options.

Examples:

In the below, you would work the bracketed instructions the number of times directed or until the place directed.

[dc in next dc, cl in next ch-1 sp] 5 times

[dc in next 3 dc, shell in next shell] across to next corner

If you see something like the below, the brackets contain alternate information or instructions that can be used to work the same pattern in different sizes.

Child’s 2 [4, 6, 8] -- indicates all possible finished garment sizes

Rows 29-36 [31-38, 31-40]: -- indicates additional rows/rounds to be worked for different sizes

Sc in next 4 [5, 6] sts -- indicates alternate instructions for different sizes

{ } Braces are used to indicate a set of repeat instructions that are worked within a bracketed set of repeat instructions, or to indicate multiple repeats of stitch patterns that are part of a collective stitch group contained within parentheses.

Examples:

In the below, you would work the set of instructions in braces the number of times indicated each time you repeat the instructions in brackets.

[dc in next 3 sts, {shell in next ch-1 sp} twice] 4 times

[{ch 5, sc in next ch sp} twice, ch 5, sk next dc, dc in next dc, {ch 1, sk next dc, dc in next dc} 6 times] twice

In the below, you would work the set of instructions in braces the number of times indicated, all in the place indicated after the parentheses.

({dc, ch 1} 5 times, dc) in next ch-2 sp

({sc, ch 3} 3 times, hdc, ch 2, hdc, ch 3, {sc, ch 3} twice, sc) all in corner sp

* Asterisks indicate instructions to be repeated.

Examples:

In the below, you would repeat the instructions following a single asterisk or between two single asterisks as directed.

Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, sc in next sc, rep from * across

*Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around

Ch 1, *(sc, dc, tr, dc, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, sc in next hdc, ch 2, rep from * 6 times

Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 22 sc, *[2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc] twice, 2 sc in next sc*, sc in next 23 sc, rep between * once, join in beg sc

** A double asterisk can indicate a set of instructions to be repeated or an ending point for a repeat of instructions, depending on its use.

Note: You may also see *** used. Treat them the same as double asterisks.

Examples:

In the below, you would repeat the instructions between or from the double asterisks as directed.

Ch 1, *(sc, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, sc) in corner sp, (sc, 2 dc, sc) in next ch-3 sp, **ch 1, sk next ch-1, sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next ch-1**, [(sc, dc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-3 sp] 3 times, rep between ** once, (sc, 2 dc, sc) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * 3 times, join

Sl st in next st, sl st in corner ch sp, ch 3, dc in same sp, *[(picot, 2 dc) 3 times in same sp, **2 dc in next ch sp, (picot, 2 dc) twice in same sp, rep from ** across to next corner ch sp], 2 dc in next ch sp, rep from * twice, rep between [ ] once, join

In the below, you would work a partial set of repeat instructions, stopping where indicated by the double asterisks.

*Ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 3**, V-st in next dc, rep from * 3 times, ending last rep at **

2 sc in first st, *ch 2, sk next st, cl in next st, ch 2, sk next st**, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around, ending last rep at **

◊ Diamonds are used to indicate instructions to be repeated, usually in combination with single asterisk instructions. It is the least common repeat symbol. However, with complicated instructions, it is sometimes necessary.

Examples:

In the below, you would repeat the instruction between or from the diamonds as directed.

Ch 1, sc in same sc, *◊ sk next ch-2 sp, [sc in next sc, ch 3] 4 times ◊, sc in next sc, sk next ch-2 sp, sc in next sc, rep from * 6 times, rep between ◊◊ once, sc in next sc

({Sl st, ch 3} 3 times, sl st) in corner sp, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, (sl st, ch 3, sl st) in next st, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, (sl st, ch 3, sl st) in next ch-2 sp, ◊ ch 3, sk next 3 sts, sl st in next st, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, (sl st, ch 3, sl st) in next ch-2 sp, rep from ◊ across to last 7 sts before corner sp, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, (sl st, ch 3, sl st) in next st, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, rep from * around, join.

Additional Terminology

Work even: Work in the pattern that’s already been established without increasing or decreasing any stitches.