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Crochet patterns have their own special shorthand that can be intimidating to beginners, but it is easy
to figure out once you know the rules. First, almost all the crochet terminology is abbreviated to save
space. The abbreviations used are usually listed at the end of the pattern, but some common ones are
ch (chain), sc (single crochet), and dc (double crochet).
Example:
Ch 12 = chain 12.
Second, crochet pattern directions are written by the row or round, since crochet is always worked
either in rows or in rounds. In most patterns, you will be asked to “turn” the work before moving on to
the next row. This simply means that you flip the work over so the backside is facing you before
moving on. The step ends with the number of stitches you should have once the row or round is
completed. For patterns that call for periodic increases and decreases in stitch numbers, it is always a
good idea to count your stitches before moving on to the next step.
Example:
Row 1. Sc in each ch across. 12 sc.
The last and most confusing part of crochet patterns is the symbols used. Some parts of the
instructions may be given in (parentheses) or [brackets]; these are sets of instructions that are either
intended to be worked together as one collective stitch, or that are intended to be repeated a given
number of times before moving on to the next part of the instructions.
Example:
Row 5. Ch 2; turn. (Sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-1 space across.
Sometimes an asterisk* will appear before certain parts of the pattern. This indicates that the
instructions following the asterisk will be repeated within the same row.
Example:
Row 10. Ch 2; turn. Skip first sc, *sc in next sc, skip ch-1 space, sc in next sc; repeat from * across.
Once the pattern terminology is broken down, it should be easy to figure out what the pattern is
asking you to do. Just take it one stitch, one bracket, one row at a time.
to figure out once you know the rules. First, almost all the crochet terminology is abbreviated to save
space. The abbreviations used are usually listed at the end of the pattern, but some common ones are
ch (chain), sc (single crochet), and dc (double crochet).
Example:
Ch 12 = chain 12.
Second, crochet pattern directions are written by the row or round, since crochet is always worked
either in rows or in rounds. In most patterns, you will be asked to “turn” the work before moving on to
the next row. This simply means that you flip the work over so the backside is facing you before
moving on. The step ends with the number of stitches you should have once the row or round is
completed. For patterns that call for periodic increases and decreases in stitch numbers, it is always a
good idea to count your stitches before moving on to the next step.
Example:
Row 1. Sc in each ch across. 12 sc.
The last and most confusing part of crochet patterns is the symbols used. Some parts of the
instructions may be given in (parentheses) or [brackets]; these are sets of instructions that are either
intended to be worked together as one collective stitch, or that are intended to be repeated a given
number of times before moving on to the next part of the instructions.
Example:
Row 5. Ch 2; turn. (Sc, ch 1, sc) in each ch-1 space across.
Sometimes an asterisk* will appear before certain parts of the pattern. This indicates that the
instructions following the asterisk will be repeated within the same row.
Example:
Row 10. Ch 2; turn. Skip first sc, *sc in next sc, skip ch-1 space, sc in next sc; repeat from * across.
Once the pattern terminology is broken down, it should be easy to figure out what the pattern is
asking you to do. Just take it one stitch, one bracket, one row at a time.
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