How To Read A Crochet Pattern

The first time you look at a crochet pattern it can be incredibly daunting.  With all the letter and symbols, it can look like a secret code or another language.  But once you learn how to read them and understand what they mean, you'll find that crochet patterns are actually easy to follow.  Yes, really, they are.


My Mama and my Mum taught me to crochet in the most basic way when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I learnt by copying them, not by reading a pattern.  I created many chains and a scarf, or two and some clothes for my dolls.  It was not until a few years ago that I got my first look at a written crochet patterns.  Boy, was I overwhelmed.  I kept going back to the pattern and then heading to my computer to decipher what I had to do.  I spent more time decoding than I did on actual crocheting.  It was incredibly frustrating.

All crochet patterns are written using Crochet Abbreviations.  

Some of the basic ones are below.

A: alt = alternate approx = approximately	M: MC = main color M = meters MM = millimeters
B: BEG = begin(ning) BET = between BL/bk lp = back loop BLO = back loop only BO = bobble BP = back post BPDC = back post double crochet BPSC = back post single crochet BPTR = back post triple crochet	O: OZ = ounce
C: CA = color A CB = color B CC = contrasting color CH = chain CH- = refers to chain previously made/worked CH_SP = chain space CL =cluster CM = centimeter CONT = continue	P: PAT = pattern PC = popcorn P = picot PM = place marker PREV = previous
D:  DC = double crochet DC2TOG = double crochet 2 stitches together DEC = decrease DTR/DTRC = double triple/treble crochet	R: REM = remain REP = repeat REV SC/reverse sc = reverse single crochet RND = round RS = right side
E: EA = each	S: SC = single crochet sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together SK = skip SL ST = slip stitch SP = space ST = stitch
F: FLO = front loop only FP = front post FPDC = front post double crochet FPSC = front post single crochet(s) FPTR/FPTRC = front post triple/treble crochet FL - front loop FLO = front loop only	T: TBL=through back loop TCH = turning chain TOG = together TC/TRC = triple crochet
G: G = gram GRP = groups GS = Galaxy Stitch	W: WS = wrong side
H: HDC = half double crochet HK = hook	X: X-st = cross-stitch
I: INC = increase	Y: YD = yard YO = yarn over YOH = yarn over hook
L: LP's = loop LP ST = loop stitch

At first the abbreviations and codes can be intimidating, but after a few patterns you'll have it cracked.  Just keep at it and don't give up.  Think of your end product.  Soon you'll be reading them like a bilingual pro!

Now to learn the basic stitches.  If you don't have anyone to show you, the next best resource is youtube.  There are so many great tutorials on there.  You can search by basic stitches or by taking yourself through a series of crochet lessons/sessions.  When I was first learning, I'd work out what stitch I needed and then youtube the stitch, watch how it was done and then do that stitch over and over agin until I perfected it, and then I had a go using it on my selected pattern.  Yes, it is time consuming but worth it.


One other consideration is that patterns work in either a row or in a round.  The pattern will tell you this.  Obviously with a round you go in a circle and with rows you move back and forth. 

Websites can also be an amazing tool not just for patterns but for learning stitches and piecing a garment together.

Some of my favourites:

• http://www.crochetspot.com/
• http://www.crochetaustralia.com.au/
• http://crochet-mania.blogspot.com.au/

There are some apps available too.  I have the Crochet Decoder on my phone for when I'm out and about and need some help with a difficult pattern.  It's incredibly simple to use and has solved some of my problems with the click of my phone screen.

Check out some of the beautiful crochet patterns on my Pinterest board .  See, it's worth it when you can create such pieces of beauty.  Give it a go and if you have other suggestions or ideas that have worked for you, please let me know because I still need tips on perfecting my crocheting.

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Source: minspiration.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

I hope this posts makes your crochet learning less frustrating than mine was.

 

One question I have been asked - Do you prefer to crochet or knit? 
 I must say that I enjoy both immensely but I think crocheting will always be my favourite.