How to Read Crochet Patterns in 3 Easy Steps

Learning how to read crochet patterns can really open a whole new world of possibilities. So many people struggle to read crochet patterns, though. Not even just beginners, but seasoned crocheters as well. I don’t think anyone should let the ability to read a written crochet pattern hold them back, so I am here today to help you learn how to read a written crochet patterns in 3 easy steps.

Before we begin – Know Your Skill Level

Like trying to learn most things, you can’t start off on the expert level and expect to get anywhere. When learning how to read crochet patterns you have to go back to the beginner level and start with the basics, just like you did when you learned how to crochet. Let me stress, this blog post is only about written patterns. I will cover symbol patterns in another post.

So, the basics. Let’s start there.

How to Read Crochet Patterns Step 1 – Learn Crochet Abbreviations

There are 6 basic crochet stitches that you need to learn their abbreviations to get started learning how to read crochet patterns. These are the same 6 basic crochet stitches that I start book 1 of my “learn-to-crochet eBook series” with. Let’s learn them now!

As you can see, most of these abbreviations are self-explanatory and fairly easy to remember. Even though these are the 6 basic stitches, I do want to throw out a few other abbreviations for you to commit to memory.

Again, fairly self-explanatory, you just need to commit them to memory.

Lastly, there are a few words that are generally written out and not abbreviated. Examples of those would be:
join
turn
row

How to Read Crochet Patterns Step 2 – Learn the Numbers

The next part of learning how to read crochet patterns is the numbers. Obviously once you know the crochet stitch, you are going to need to understand how many. Keep in mind that patterns can vary, but typically a pattern will start by explaining the way the pattern is written. Patterns also typically have a stitch count at the end of each row that will help you figure out if you are understanding the pattern correctly.

We now know that sc means single crochet. So, if a pattern says 8sc or sc next 8 st, it is telling you that you are to do 8 single crochet stitches.

How to Read Crochet Patterns Step 3 – Learn the Symbols

As I stated before, most patterns will have a “key” of sorts to start the pattern explaining how that specific pattern is written, but here I will give you some of the common symbols to get you started and explain what they typically mean.

Parenthesis () or Brackets []

Parenthesis are used to show you all the stitches you put into ONE stitch. For example, let’s look at the shell stitch (abbreviation: sh). The shell stitch is made by placing 5 double crochet stitches into one stitch. This creates the “fan” effect. In a pattern, that could look like (5dc). Because it is in parenthesis you put it all into one stitch.

Asterisk *

Asterisk are used to indicate a repeat. A repeated area will have an asterisk before it and after it, then it will usually say something like “repeat * across the row” or “repeat * 5 times.”

This information is the foundation you need to start reading patterns, so with that said, let’s look at a couple of patterns!

Pattern Example 1 – Standard Granny Square

The following is the first round of the written granny square pattern taken from Crochet365.

To start, chain 5 and join with a slip stitch.

R1:  Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc).  In the loop work 2dc, ch-2, 3dc, ch-2, 3dc, ch-2, 3dc, ch-2, sl st to top of starting ch 3.

To translate, you start by forming a ring with the chain 5 and join with a slip stitch. Then you chain 3. From there you work inside the ring. 2 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet, chain 2, slip stitch to the beginning chain 3.

If the pattern included a stitch count it would have something like -20 stitches- at the end of the round.

Pattern Example 2 – a scarf

chain 13

row 1: hdc second chain from hook, repeat across, ch 1, turn -12 hdc

row 2: 12 hdc across, ch 1, turn -12hdc

row 3-75 repeat row 2

Full disclosure, I just created that pattern off the top of my head, but it gives you a visual, nonetheless. You start by creating a chain of 13. Then you create a row of 12 half double crochet stitches. Then you chain one and turn. The rest of the pattern is a repeat, as a simple scarf could be.

If you would like to learn even more and have some patterns to practice with, check out my eBook, Crochet Pattern Introduction: 4 Beginner Friendly Projects and Lessons

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