How to read a crochet pattern – a beginner's guide

The first time you open a crochet pattern, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Numbers, abbreviations, parentheses, and words you may never have seen before. It is easy to think that crochet patterns are much more difficult than they actually are.

But you know what? Almost everyone feels that way the first time.

In this article, we will walk you through how to read a crochet pattern step by step and understand what the instructions actually mean.

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Start with the overview

Before you start crocheting, it is a good idea to read through the beginning of the pattern.

Here you will often find information about:

• which yarn the pattern is written for
• which knitting needle or crochet hook is recommended
• gauge
• which sizes are available
• measurements of the finished garment
• any techniques used

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You don't need to remember everything by heart. The goal is just to get a feel for how the project is structured.

You don't need to read the entire pattern from start to finish. Instead, focus on the row or round you are actually working on right now. That makes the instructions much easier to follow.

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Learn to read the pattern language

When you open a pattern, it is often not the actual crocheting that feels difficult. Usually, it is the language itself. Fortunately, there are some recurring elements that almost all patterns use.

Abbreviations

Almost all crochet patterns begin with a list of abbreviations. It might look a bit cryptic at first glance, but think of it as a reference guide rather than something you need to memorize. You will soon notice that you return to the list whenever you are unsure – and after a few projects, the most common abbreviations often stick on their own.

Some of the most common abbreviations are:

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain stitch
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sk = skip a stitch

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Stitch counts in parentheses

At the end of many rows, there is a number in parentheses.

Example: (24) This does not mean you need to do anything extra. It simply tells you how many stitches you should have once the row is finished.

If you count and get a different number, you know that something went wrong earlier in your work.

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Repeats

You will often encounter instructions that look something like this:

*inc (hdc), 1 hdc* ×7

The asterisks * mean that the instructions between them should be repeated. This means that you first crochet:

• 1 increase (two half double crochets in the same stitch)
• 1 half double crochet in the next stitch

Then you repeat those two steps a total of seven times.

Once you know how the repeats work, patterns often become much easier to read.

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Stitch markers

Many patterns use stitch markers.

They help you keep track of important points in your work, for example:

• where a round begins and ends
• which stitch is the first one
• or where the next step should be taken

A stitch marker is simply a tool to make it easier to stay on track.

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Row or round?

Another term that is helpful to know is the difference between a row and a round.

When you crochet back and forth (for example, a scarf), you work in rows. When you crochet in the round instead (like a hat, basket, or bag), you work in rounds.

Knowing the difference makes it much easier to follow the instructions in a pattern.

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This is what an instruction might look like

Now that you recognize the most common parts, let's look at an example from an actual crochet pattern:

‍Row 3:‍ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc). Start in the 2nd st: *inc (hdc), 1 hdc* ×7, inc (hdc). (24)

‍At first glance, this instruction might look quite advanced. But in reality, it just consists of several small steps.

Let's break it down part by part:

‍ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc) - Start by crocheting two chain stitches. They act as the first half double crochet of the row and are therefore included in the stitch count.

‍Start in the 2nd st - Now you begin crocheting into the second stitch from the previous row.

‍inc (hdc) - An increase means you crochet two half double crochets into the same stitch.

‍1 hdc - Then crochet one regular half double crochet in the next stitch.

‍×7 - Now repeat the sequence *increase, 1 hdc* a total of seven times.

‍inc (hdc) - When the repetitions are complete, finish the row with one more increase.

‍(24) - The number in parentheses shows how many stitches you should have when the row is finished.

Feel free to count your stitches before moving on – if the number is correct, you know you have followed the instructions correctly.

When you break down an instruction like this, it often becomes clear that a crochet pattern is really just many small steps one after another.

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Make a gauge swatch

If the pattern includes recommendations regarding gauge, it is a great idea to make a swatch before you begin. The swatch shows whether your crochet style matches the pattern. If the gauge differs, the size of the finished garment may also differ.

It can be tempting to skip the swatch, but a few minutes at the beginning can save many hours of work later. Do you want to learn more about swatches and why you should always make one before starting a new project? Read our blog post about exactly that here. (link)

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Look through the techniques first

If the pattern contains techniques you haven't tried before, don't worry.

Read through the steps involved before you start and feel free to practice them individually. A new technique often feels much easier once you have tried it a few times before it appears in the middle of your project.

In MYO's technique school (link), you will find guides to the most common crochet techniques that you can easily practice before you get started.

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If you get stuck

Everyone who crochets gets stuck sometimes (even those who have been doing it for many years). Read through the instructions again, nice and slowly. Often, it’s just a small detail that was missed the first time. You can also go back a few rows and check that your stitch count is still correct. In many cases, that is exactly where the mistake began.

And remember that a pattern is not a test. You don’t need to know everything from the start. Every project teaches you something new.

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Summary

Remember that you don’t need to understand the entire pattern at once. Start with an overview, use the list of abbreviations as a reference, and take it one instruction at a time.

The more patterns you crochet, the more natural the pattern language will feel.

And most importantly – don’t let the pattern intimidate you. Every experienced crocheter has sat exactly where you are sitting right now.

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