For the most part, reading a pattern is as simple as reading and following instructions. When you know the basics of crochet, a well-written pattern should seem pretty straight forward. This lesson will go over some helpful tips to make reading a pattern even easier.
- Starting a pattern
- Common abbreviations
- Increasing and decreasing
- Parentheses
- Fastening off
- Putting it all together
Starting a pattern
In this day and age of the internet and blogs, there are millions of patterns out there written by millions of different people. This means you have access to patterns for just about anything you can imagine. But it also means that you get a lot of different pattern writing styles.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to read over all the introductory information given before the pattern. This will tell you important things to know before getting started as well as give insights into how this author writes their patterns.
Materials
One of the most useful pieces of beginning information is the materials list. This will let you know what kind of yarn and hook to use. The author might even tell you exactly which yarn they used, where to get it, and sometimes exactly how much of it you need.
You don’t have to use the yarn or hook size recommended by the pattern. But just know that if you use a bigger yarn or hook, your end result will be bigger than the pattern. Conversely, if you use a smaller yarn or hook, your end result will be smaller.
In addition to giving you yarn and hook information, the materials list will tell you any other tools or supplies needed to make this pattern.
Abbreviations
Often the beginning of a pattern will also tell you which abbreviations it uses. I give a list of common abbreviations later in this lesson, but it’s always a good idea to see which the author uses in case it’s different.
Other useful information
Make sure you read through any other beginning information. It can make you aware of the ways this pattern might be written differently than you’re used to. It might warn you about difficult parts of the pattern. Sometimes it will walk you through unusual stitches used. And if you’re working in the round it could let you know whether to use continuous or joined rounds.
There may be many more important things that can be gleaned from the introductory information. Make sure you review it before diving right in!
Common abbreviations
Instead of spelling out entire phrases like “single crochet” or “half double crochet,” patterns use abbreviations. Many patterns will tell you right at the beginning which abbreviations they use. Some assume you already know the common abbreviations.
Here are some of the abbreviations you’ll see most often:
- chain: ch
- magic ring: mr
- yarn over: yo
- stitch: st
- stitches: sts
- slip stitch: slst or ss
- single crochet: sc
- half double crochet: hdc
- double crochet: dc
- front loops only: flo
- back loops only: blo
- front post single crochet: fpsc
- front post half double crochet: fphdc
- front post double crochet: fpdc
- back post single crochet: bpsc
- back post half double crochet: bphdc
- back post double crochet: bpdc
- increase: inc
- decrease: dec or 2tog
- fasten off: f/o
Increasing and decreasing
Unless stated otherwise, crochet follows a one-to-one rule. You will put one stitch in each one of the stitches from the previous row. This section covers a couple of exceptions: increasing and decreasing.
If you follow the one-to-one rule, your work will remain the same size. By working increases, your work gets bigger. By working decreases, your work gets smaller.
Increasing
Increasing is when you put TWO stitches into one of the stitches from the previous row. Unless stated otherwise, an increase is done with single crochet. For example, a pattern might say something like this:
6sc, inc, 6sc
This would tell you to put one single crochet into each of the next 6 stitches, put TWO single crochets into the next stitch, and then put one single crochet into each of the next 6 stitches.
Decreasing
When decreasing, you crochet two stitches together. Just like increasing, this is done with single crochet unless the pattern tells you otherwise. A pattern might look something like this:
6sc, dec, 6sc
This tells you to single crochet once into each of the next 6 stitches, crochet the next two stitches together, and then single crochet once into each of the next 6 stitches.
There are two main ways to decrease. A regular decrease is good for working in rows. An invisible decrease is best when working in rounds.
Regular decrease
To complete a single crochet decrease:
- Begin by inserting your hook into the first stitch you are crocheting together. Yarn over and pull it through that stitch. You now have two loops on your hook.
- Insert your hook into the second stitch you are crocheting together. Yarn over and pull it through that stitch. You now have three loops on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull it through all three loops on the hook. You have done one decrease.
Invisible decrease
To complete a single crochet invisible decrease:
- Insert your hook into the front loop of the first stitch you are crocheting together.
- Keeping the front loop of the first stitch still on your hook, insert your hook into the front loop of the second stitch you are crocheting together.
- Yarn over and pull it through both front loops.
- Yarn over and pull it through both loops on the hook to complete the single crochet.
Parentheses
Patterns generally use parentheses for two reasons. Parentheses at the end of a row or round tell you how many stitches that row or round should have. Parentheses are also used to tell you parts of a pattern that should be repeated.
Here is something you might see in a pattern:
round 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18)
This tells you that on the third round you will single crochet into the first stitch of the round and increase in the following stitch. Then you will single crochet in the next stitch and increase in the following five more times. Finally, by the time you finish the round, you should have 18 stitches.
Sometimes, patterns will use brackets instead of parentheses to denote the repeated parts. The same example we just used might look like this in a different pattern:
round 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18)
Fastening off
Once you’ve completed your work, you must secure the end of the yarn so that it doesn’t unravel. This is as simple as cutting the yarn, leaving yourself a few inches to work with, and pulling it all the way through the loop that’s already on your hook. Then hide your loose end! See Lesson Three to review how to do it.
Putting it all together
When starting a pattern, remember to read through all the beginning information. This will tell you things like which supplies you need, what abbreviations will be used in the pattern, tips and tricks, and more that will make following the pattern easier.
Once you have your materials and you understand common abbreviations, you just follow the instructions the pattern gives you. Follow a one-to-one rule of putting one stitch into each stitch from the previous row or round unless the pattern tells you otherwise, using things like increases and decreases.
Remember that parentheses/brackets will tell you which parts of the pattern need to be repeated and how many stitches you should have at the end of each row or round.
When you’re finished, fasten off and hide your end.
Now that you know the basics of crochet and how to read a pattern, you are unstoppable! Go out and start creating. Visit my patterns for some fun crochet projects. And as always, please comment or email me if you have any questions!
