How to read a crochet pattern
Top tips to help you read a written crochet pattern for the first time.
When I first learned how to crochet, I was so excited. But then my excitement turned into frustration as I tried to read through a bunch of confusing words and symbols!
Thankfully, it didn't take me too long to pick up how it all works, and it won't take you too long either (I promise!).
Now that I've gotten to grips with reading a plethora of different crochet patterns, I wanted to share some top tips to give you a head start when you go to work on your first crochet project.
Here are the tips:
If this is your first time reading a crochet pattern, look for one that says “beginner friendly” or “easy”.
If this is your first time reading a pattern, look for one that says “beginner friendly” or “easy”. You want a pattern that is written in a way that you understand, and has photos or illustrations. Choosing a crochet pattern with an "easy" or "beginner friendly" skill level will make it so much easier when you first start out.
For reference, the pattern book that I first started with was Crochet Cute Critters by Sarah Zimmerman. It is an easy amigurumi pattern book which includes 26 amigurumi patterns along with beginner friendly stitch tutorials in the front of the book. So if you're interested in crocheting an amigurumi as your first project, this book is a great starting point.
Finding a beginner crochet pattern online.
Of course, there are also a plethora of individual crochet patterns for sale and for free online. Often these patterns (my crochet patterns included) assume you have a basic knowledge of crochet before you get started. That's why it's always important to read the full description of a crochet pattern before you purchase it online or buy your materials. Most crochet patterns should state the skill level required, and if you're a beginner just check that the skill level says "beginner" or "easy".
Another great way to check if an online pattern is suitable for beginners is to read through the comments (if there are comments linked to where the pattern is published). Patterns with lots of positive comments from other people who have used the pattern is a great indicator of whether the pattern is easy to read.
Choose a smaller crochet project that excites you.
My last top tip to help you find a suitable crochet pattern for your first project, is to choose a smaller project that excites you. For example, if you're just starting out I would avoid crocheting a blanket, garment, or shawl. Some people do start with these types of projects and are absolutely fine with them. However, if you're anything like me, I found a blanket (which was the original first crochet project I chose) to be too monotonous, got bored very quickly, and didn't try crocheting again for over a year. If you’re interested, you can learn more about how my crochet journey began here.
Instead, I would recommend smaller projects such as an easy amigurumi, a tea towel, face washer, or face scrubby. Just make sure you're really excited about the item you decide to crochet, otherwise you'll be less likely to want to see the project through until it's finished.
Once you've found the crochet pattern you'd like to work with, it's time to start reading the crochet pattern.
Skim through the full pattern before you crochet.
I recommend giving the pattern you're using a quick read over before you get your materials and start crocheting. This will help give you an idea of what's involved.
In particular, if the crochet project you're working on requires multiple parts (like amigurumi) and assembly at the end, by having a quick skim through you'll get a snapshot of all the elements involved with making your project. This will also give you a better idea if this project is something you really want to crochet.
This is a great habit to get into for all crocheters (beginners through to advanced). Having that overview can also help you decide what parts of the pattern you'd like to crochet first, or if any parts of the pattern have to be made within a particular order. In other words, you don't have to crochet the parts in the order that they are written in, but if you're brand new to crochet I would recommend following the order of the pattern (just in case).
The first section of the crochet pattern will give you all the information you need to get started.
The first section of the crochet pattern will give you all the information you need to get started. It will include:
The pattern name and designer
Materials used in the project (yarn, hook size, etc.)
Actual size of the project and dimensions of it
Crochet pattern language and terms used (for example, my crochet patterns are written in English using US Terms)
Copyright information
It should also give you some suggestions and top tips if you want to use a different yarn or material.
The pattern should also tell you what type of yarn or materials the designer used and some suggestions if you want to use something different. For example, you can decide to use a different weight of yarn (for example: worsted weight instead of DK), a different brand of yarn, or a different fibre (for example: cotton vs acrylic).
Just be aware that the size of yarn you choose will impact the size of crochet hook you need to use. Check your yarn label for some guidance, or if you're crocheting amigurumi you can find read more on choosing an appropriate hook size in my blog post here.
Of course, you can also choose different yarn colours to what the pattern suggests. If you don’t like the colour that was used in the original pattern, try substituting it with another one! You could even make your project “multi-coloured” by changing your colours throughout different rows/rounds of your project. If you are a beginner however, I do recommend choosing one yarn colour that you really like and sticking with that for the whole project (if possible). It will make things less complicated, especially when you're more focused on learning the different types of crochet stitches.
Understand the structure of a crochet pattern.
To make reading the crochet pattern easier, it's helpful to understand the structure of a crochet pattern. This will make the pattern a lot easier for you to read when you go to crochet.
Once you've skimmed the crochet pattern in full, read the materials list, and have the items you need to crochet your project, the next section within the pattern will be the bit you need to read and understand so you can start crocheting.
When reading a crochet pattern, each row or round will be written on a separate line and will have a number. This line completes one full section of stitches - I'll get to this in a moment.
The difference between a row and a round is simply about the direction that you're crocheting in. If you're crocheting in a circular direction (most amigurumi are made like this), this is called a "round". However, if you're working on a flat crochet piece (like a face washer) and are crocheting back and forth in a straight line, this is called crocheting in "rows".
As I mentioned above, a row or round is one full section of stitches. For example, if you're crocheting in the round (a circular direction), one round is around the full circle until you reach the end of the circle (e.g. the stitch just before your starting place). If you're crocheting in a row (back and forth), one row is across the piece in one direction until you reach the end of the piece.
The difference between crocheting 1 round compared to crocheting 1 row.
Within each row/round will be the description of the stitches you need to crochet. This will include the stitch types, number of stitches, and the total number of stitches in the row or round.
The structure of a crochet pattern. This example is taken from my amigurumi crochet pattern, Phyllis the Platypus.
An important part of reading a crochet pattern is knowing the abbreviations!
As you can tell from the above example, an important part of reading a crochet pattern is knowing the various stitch abbreviations. Unfortunately, since each crochet pattern is written by a different person, the abbreviations used in different patterns can vary. However, here are some of the most common terms you'll come across in beginner patterns:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
inc = increase
dec = decrease
mc = magic circle (this is often used as a starting stitch if you're crocheting in rounds rather than rows)
All of the above abbreviations are however is US Terms, but stitch abbreviations can be different depending on the pattern terminology being used (even if the pattern is written in English).
Stitch abbreviations can be regional.
Some of the abbreviations are regional, so if you're a beginner, it's important to know what each one means. It's also super important to know which terminology the pattern you're using has been written in so you don't crochet the wrong stitches.
The biggest and most common variation I've come across is the difference between US and UK terms. Now, I'm based in the UK but I most regularly use crochet patterns written in US terms. The patterns I've designed are also all written in US terms rather than UK terms.
Long story short, just double check what terminology the crochet pattern you're using has been written in before you start crocheting.
Some key differences between US and UK pattern terms are:
sc = single crochet (US terminology) or double crochet (UK terminology)
hdc = half-double crochet (US terminology) or half treble (UK terminology)
dc = double crochet (US terminology) or treble (UK terminology)
As you work through your crochet pattern, use a notebook and pen along with YouTube tutorials.
When you're working through a crochet pattern for the first time, it can be helpful to take notes. To this day, I still keep track of my stitch count and rows within a notebook when I work on a crochet pattern.
If you get stuck on a stitch type throughout the pattern, refer to YouTube tutorials for support. YouTube really helped me when it came to working out how to do various stitches and understanding what various abbreviations meant.
If you’re still really unsure of something within the crochet pattern you're using, reach out to the pattern designer for support. They may respond quickly or they might not respond at all - but either way, that's totally okay because there are tonnes of other people online ready to help out. If they don't respond, post your question in a forum on Ravelry or within a relevant Facebook group. There are plenty of people online who will be willing to help you out! If you make amigurumi, this Facebook group here is a great place to start.
As a side note, if you're using one of my crochet patterns, I will always respond. You can reach out to me on Instagram, Facebook or by email.
I hope that this blog post has helped you learn how to read a crochet pattern. It can be difficult at first, but if you keep practicing and have a good sense of humor about it all (uh, and maybe some wine or a good tea/coffee?), then you will be off to a great start!
Don't forget to leave me a comment below if this post has helped you. I'd love to hear from you.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
