Home › Guides › How to Read Crochet Patterns and Crochet Charts (With Symbols Table)
How to Read Crochet Patterns and Crochet Charts (With Symbols Table)
A written crochet pattern lists materials, gauge and abbreviations, then gives one line per row or round, with repeats marked by asterisks or brackets and the stitch count in parentheses. A crochet chart draws the same instructions with symbols, read from the bottom up and from the center out.
Updated:
- Read the whole pattern once before you start: materials, gauge, terms (US or UK) and special stitches.
- One line equals one row or round; the number in parentheses at the end is the stitch count to check.
- In charts, rows alternate direction: right-side rows read right to left, wrong-side rows left to right (for right-handers).
- Rounds in charts start at the center and are read counterclockwise for right-handed crocheters.
- Chart symbols are the same in US and UK patterns: an oval is a chain, X or + is single crochet, a T with one slash is double crochet.
The parts of a written pattern
- Skill level: beginner, easy, intermediate or experienced.
- Finished size: measurements after blocking, sometimes for several sizes, written as S (M, L, XL).
- Materials: yarn weight, fiber, amount in yards or meters, hook size, notions such as markers or buttons.
- Gauge: stitches and rows in 4 in (10 cm). Match it for anything that must fit.
- Abbreviations and terms: US or UK, plus any special stitches with full instructions.
- Notes: whether turning chains count, whether rounds are joined or spiral, which side is the right side.
- Instructions: row by row or round by round, often grouped by part (body, sleeves, ears).
- Finishing: sewing, edging, blocking, weaving in ends.
Decoding a written row
Take this example in US terms:
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), sk first st, dc in next 3 sts, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next 4 sts; rep from * to end, turn. (24 dc, 5 ch-1 sps)
- Chain 3; this is your first double crochet.
- Skip the first stitch, because the chain 3 is standing on it.
- Work a double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches.
- Then repeat the part after the asterisk until the end: chain 1, skip a stitch, 4 double crochet.
- Turn, and count: you should have 24 double crochet and 5 chain-1 spaces.
Multi-size patterns put the other sizes in parentheses, like “ch 60 (66, 72)”. Highlight your size throughout the pattern before starting.
Crochet chart symbols
| Symbol (described) | Stitch (US) | UK name |
|---|---|---|
| Small open oval | chain (ch) | chain |
| Small filled dot or filled oval | slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| X or + | single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| T | half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) |
| T with one diagonal slash | double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) |
| T with two slashes | treble crochet (tr) | double treble (dtr) |
| Two stitches joined at the top (Λ) | decrease, e.g. sc2tog | decrease |
| Two stitches from one base (V) | increase | increase |
| Small arc under a stitch | back or front loop only (check the key) | same |
| Stitch with a hook around its post | front or back post stitch | same |
| Circle at the center | magic ring or chain ring | same |
Every chart should include a key. When it does, the key overrides any general table.
How to read a chart worked in rows
- Start at the bottom with the foundation chain.
- Row numbers sit at the end where each row begins. For right-handers, row 1 (and every odd right-side row) is read right to left; even rows are read left to right.
- The turning chain appears as a stack of chain ovals at the start of each row.
- Charts often alternate colors (e.g. black and blue) by row so you can track where you are.
- Left-handed crocheters read the chart mirrored: odd rows left to right.
How to read a chart worked in rounds
- Start at the center circle, the magic ring or chain ring.
- Each ring of symbols around it is one round. Round numbers sit at the start of each round, usually near the join.
- Right-handers read rounds counterclockwise; left-handers clockwise.
- The symbols point toward the stitch or space they go into. A symbol whose base sits over a chain arc is worked into that chain space.
- Granny squares, mandalas, doilies and hat crowns are almost always charted this way.
Tips that prevent most mistakes
- Print the pattern or copy it and mark off each row as you finish it.
- Use stitch markers at the start of rounds and in pattern repeats.
- Count after every row or round and compare with the number in parentheses.
- If a written line and the chart disagree, the chart usually shows the designer's intent more clearly, but check for published corrections.
- Swatch a few repeats of an unfamiliar stitch pattern before starting the main project.
Yarny can turn a photo or PDF of a pattern into a clean step-by-step tutorial in your library (with Cozy Plus), and the “I need help” button under each step opens an AI helper when a line doesn't make sense.
Frequently asked questions
What does the number in parentheses at the end of a row mean?
It is the stitch count you should have at the end of that row or round. Count your stitches and compare. If they do not match, find the mistake before moving on, because it will grow.
What does an asterisk mean in a crochet pattern?
An asterisk marks the start of a repeat. When the pattern says rep from *, go back to the asterisk and work the same instructions again, as many times as stated or until the end of the row.
Which direction do you read a crochet chart?
Charts are read from the bottom up. Rows alternate: right to left on right-side rows and left to right on wrong-side rows for right-handers. Rounds start at the center and go counterclockwise for right-handers.
Are crochet charts easier than written patterns?
Many crocheters find charts easier for lace, granny squares and mandalas because you can see where each stitch goes. Written patterns are often easier for amigurumi and garments with lots of shaping. Using both together is the most reliable.
Can I follow a crochet pattern written in another language?
Often yes, if it includes a chart, because chart symbols are international. Check the key, then use the chart to work the stitches even if you cannot read the written text.