How to Read Crochet Patterns Diagrams

In this instructable I will explain you how to read crochet diagrams.

You may have heard several names: Chart, schema, draw, pattern, diagram, that thing with little dolls that explains everything to us.... Everything is ok. The important thing is that you realize that from now on, here, when you see "diagram" or "pattern diagram" it is equivalent.

The crochet patterns help us follow instructions in a more visual way, instead of simple explanations like this:

1. "3 chain stitches, now make a treble in each previous stitch and make a slip stitch to finish."*

or using abbreviations:

1. "Round 2: 3ch, *tr*, sl."*

To understand the abbreviations and read the diagrams, I recommend that you already have some comfort with the basic stitches.

*Note: The examples shown are simply demonstrative.

To read a diagram, you don't need much.

Basically it needs a diagram (I only say this because I think it wasn't obvious enough :D).

You can choose between two types of patterns:

1. On paper, can be found in various magazines on the subject, as an example. In my opinion, they are the best, because you can cross out or write down whatever you want, and what's more, you don't always need to have a computer or phone nearby, or even waste battery power.
2. On computer (or cell phone, tablet, that kind of things). In the Internet you may find and infinity (no, I'm not exaggerated, no way) of projects with patterns. Be nice and start by checking out the crochet and knitting instructables projects here.

Therefore, to read a pattern you need (neither more nor less) a pattern. Maybe a computer (it's up to you). And probably the materials to make the project (hook, yarn, etc), because congratulations, congratulations, you read a pattern, but what will you do with that if you not make crochet?

There are different types of patterns. However, there are two main types:

1. Crochet ring diagram (1) - In this one, you work around a ring of chain stitches. This diagram is from the spider web bun cover project, if you want to take a look, here is the link.
2. Crochet classic diagram (2) - This diagram is very simple. As you can see, there are only two stitches: chain stitch and double crochet*.

*For simplicity, US terms will be used. So be careful, if you use the UK terms, many of the stitches do not match. The good thing about diagrams is that despite having different names, the symbols are the same. Take a look ahead.

You may have already noticed that each symbol is a stitch.

Here I have a small list of the most used stitches. Of course there are more, but I can't show them all:

1. Chain Stitch
2. Slip Stitch
3. Single Crochet (US) or Double Crochet (UK)
4. Half Double Crochet (US) or Half Treble Crochet (UK)
5. Double Crochet (US) or Treble Crochet (UK)
6. Treble/Triple Crochet (US) or Double Treble Crochet (UK)
7. Double Treble Crochet (US) or Triple Treble Crochet (UK)
8. Back Post Double Crochet (US) or Raised Treble Crochet Back (UK)
9. Front Post Double Crochet (US) or Raised Treble Crochet Front (US)

In the world of crochet there are still other symbols, however they are not used as much and can often be suppressed (Table 3).

Now that we know what each symbol means, let's try to read a diagram.

The most common thing in crochet, as you may know, is that there are rounds, each round is a row of stitches, not necessarily circular.

The first thing to do is find the start. Look for the symbol, if it isn't there, the start is usually at the bottom on the left side (in a crochet classic diagram, of course, in a ring diagram the start is the ring).

Then continue doing the rounds, changing the direction of work. In other words, if seen from the obverse the start was on the left side, round 1 will be done from left to right, round 2 will be from right to left and so on. In the ring diagrams it is a little different, we never change the direction.

It's time to get to work and experiment. If you're still not completely comfortable, try to find a diagram with a key included, you'll see that remembering from time to time will never be a problem. Start with simpler diagrams, with two or three stitches and go progressing.

After understanding the dynamics of the diagrams, you can open your horizons and start creating your own pattern diagrams. You can draw them by hand or use apps or online editors.