Explain How to Read a Crochet Pattern

By Dana Hinders

Dana Hinders

In addition to her interest in scrapbooking and origami, Dana is experienced in rubber stamping, card making, and decoupage. She also enjoys jewelry making and loom knitting.

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If you're new to the craft, you may find yourself searching for someone willing to explain how to read a crochet pattern. Fortunately, reading the pattern for a crochet project isn't as difficult as you might expect.

Choosing a Crochet Pattern for Your First Project

For someone who is just learning how to crochet, choosing the right pattern is crucial. There are crochet patterns for many different types of projects, ranging from home décor to fashion accessories. However, patterns are generally rated by level of difficulty - easy, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Choosing a pattern that is beyond your ability level sets you up for a frustrating experience.

If you're the impatient type, you may also wish to select a crochet pattern that can be completed fairly quickly. A dishcloth, scarf, or baby bib will be much easier to make than an afghan for a king size bed.

Explain How to Read a Crochet Pattern

Since the abbreviations used in crochet patterns can seem like a foreign language to the beginner, it's helpful to print off a list of common crochet abbreviations to keep near your craft area as you're working on your project. For example:

beg: begin/beginning
bpdc: back post double crochet
bpsc: back post single crochet
bptr: back post treble crochet
CC: contrasting color
ch: chain stitch
ch-: refers to chain or space previously made
ch sp: chain space
cl: cluster
cm: centimeter(s)
dc: double crochet
dc dec: double crochet 2 or more stitches together, as indicated
dec: decrease/decreases/decreasing
dtr: double treble crochet
fpdc: front post double crochet
fpsc: front post single crochet
fptr: front post treble crochet
hdc: half double crochet
hdc dec: half double crochet (decrease) 2 or more stitches together, as indicated
inc: increase/increases/increasing
lp(s): loops(s)
MC: main color
pc: popcorn
rem: remain/remaining
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sc: single crochet
sc dec: single crochet (decrease) 2 or more stitches together, as indicated
sk: skip(ped)
sl st: slip stitch
sp(s): space(s)
st(s): stitch(es)
tog: together
tr: treble crochet
trtr: triple treble
WS: wrong side
yo: yarn over
YRN: yarn round needle

Crochet Cabana's Comprehensive Crochet Dictionary may also be a useful resource to explain how to read a crochet pattern. This site provides definitions for many crochet terms, along with pictures and instructions for basic crochet stitches.

For an example of how to read a crochet pattern, visit Barb's Crochet. By going through a dishcloth pattern step-by-step, she helps novice crafters master the skill of deciphering crochet patterns.

General Tips for Learning to Crochet

As you're working on your first crochet project, remember to check your gauge. If your project needs to be a certain size or you're working with a limited yarn supply, working in the correct gauge is crucial. Crochet a swatch approximately four inches by four inches in the stitch pattern used in the project instructions. If your gauge is larger than the gauge indicated in the pattern, try using a smaller crochet hook. If your gauge is smaller, however, you'll need to try a larger hook to correct the problem.

To follow the pattern correctly, you'll also need to remember to count your stitches as you work. You want to have as many stitches on each row or round as the pattern indicates.