How to Read a Crochet Pattern

A simple guide for beginners

 What Is a Crochet Pattern?

A crochet pattern is a set of written instructions that tells you:

  • What stitches to use

  • How many stitches to make

  • The order to follow

Think of it like a recipe—but for yarn

 1. Start with the Pattern Information

Before you begin, read the top section carefully. It usually includes:

  • Skill level (Beginner, Easy, Intermediate)

  • Materials (yarn, hook size, tools)

  • Finished size

  • Gauge (how tight or loose your stitches are)

  • Notes (things you should know before starting)

  • Special stitches (special stitches other than basic stitches used)

Skipping this step is the #1 beginner mistake!

2. Learn Common Abbreviations (US Terms)

Patterns use short abbreviations to keep things simple:

  • ch = chain

  • sc = single crochet

  • hdc = half double crochet

  • dc = double crochet

  • sl st = slip stitch

  • inc = increase (2 stitches in one)

  • dec = decrease

Most patterns include a key—always check it!

3. Understanding Pattern Repeats

Many patterns have repeats and they are abbreviated like this:

You’ll often see something like:

sc, inc x6

This just means you repeat that sequence 6 times.

Repeats make patterns easier to write and follow, and once you get used to them, they feel very natural.

4. Working in Rows vs Rounds

Rows (back and forth)

  • Turn your work at the end of each row

  • Common for scarves, blankets

Rounds (in a circle)

  • Do NOT turn

  • Use a stitch marker

  • Common for hats, amigurumi

5. Stitch Counts Matter

At the end of each row/round, you’ll see a number:

Example:
sc, inc x6 (18)

The (18) = total stitches you should have

 Always count your stitches—this prevents mistakes later!

 6. Special Pattern Terms

  • Magic Ring (MR): Adjustable starting loop

  • Yarn Over (YO): Wrap the yarn around the hook

  • Back Loop Only (BLO): Work in back part of stitch

  • Front Loop Only (FLO): Work in front part

  • Fasten off: Cut yarn and secure

7. Reading Step-by-Step

Example pattern line:

Round 3: sc, inc x6 (18)

This means:

  • Work 1 single crochet

  • Then 2 single crochet in next stitch

  • Repeat that 6 times

  • You should end with 18 stitches

Beginner Tips

  • Go slow—don’t rush

  • Read the whole pattern before starting

  • Use a stitch marker

  • Highlight or check off rows as you go

  • It’s okay to undo and try again

Every stitch is progress!

Parentheses, Asterisks, and Brackets

As you start reading crochet patterns, you’ll notice that patterns don’t just use abbreviations — they also use symbols to help guide you through repeated steps.

At first, these symbols can look a little confusing, but once you understand what they mean, patterns become much easier to follow.

Parentheses: Parentheses are used when you work more than one stitch into a space. For example:

Row 1: Ch 1, (dc, ch2, dc) Which is in the first Row, Chain 1, work a double crochet, a chain 2, then another double crochet in the same stitch.

Asterisks: Crochet patterns often repeat the same group of steps several times across a row. Instead of writing those same directions out over and over, the pattern uses asterisks (*) to show you where the repeated section begins.

For example:

Row 3: Dc in the next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in the next st. Rep from across the row.

Here you would repeat the steps after the * as many times as you can until you reach the end of the row.

Brackets: Brackets are used to indicate how many times you work a repeat across the row or round.

For example:

Row 7: Dc in next 3dc, ch 1, [sk next dc, 3dc in next dc] 4 times, ch 1, dc in next 4 dc.

This means that after you double crochet in the next 3 stitches, you will repeat the steps following the asterisk — chain 1, skip the next stitch, and 3 double crochet in the next stitch — all the way across the row.