Following a crochet pattern can be quite difficult even if you’ve been crocheting for years. The reason for this is because often times designers write patterns differently. Some designers might consider a certain stitch as double crochet, while another designer might consider it as single crochet; it’s all a matter of interpretation. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there, but again, they might teach the same stitch, differently. More importantly, when learning to crochet or how to read crochet patterns you really need to know what punctuation means. Regardless of how a stitch is done, the punctuation is very important to know as it can make or break your project.
Punctuation is in the pattern to tell you how to work the stitch and when; it’s there to either separate or group the stitches. When grouping stitches you usually see brackets [], parentheses () or asterisks *. When separating stitches you’ll usually see commas, semi-colons or dashes. Now you might be wondering why stitches are grouped. This is because it might be indicating that multiple stitches should be worked in the same stitch before moving on to the next stitch in the row.
For Example: If you see (2 sc, 1 dc) in 2nd ch from hook, it means you will work two single crochets then one double crochet in the same stitch (in the second chain from the hook). After that is done you will move on to whatever the next stitch tells you to do.
Many times you will see an asterisk * throughout a pattern; this means repeat. You are going to repeat the directions between the asterisk until you reach the end of the chain or are told to stop repeating.
For Example: *(2 sc, 1 dc) in next ch, skip next 2 ch. Rep from * to last ch. Your pattern will look like this: (2 sc, 1 dc) in next ch, skip next 2 ch, (2 sc, 1 dc) in next ch, skip next 2 ch, (2 sc, 1 dc) in next ch, skip next 2 ch and so on until you get to that last chain.
When learning how to read crochet patterns these things are crucial to know as it can completely change the look of the design if you misinterpret it.
What punctuation do you have a difficult time understanding?
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Please help me how to use sc in next dc. How to do so I’m new learn.
what l can see it means sc in the next stitch which is a dc.l don’t know why the put (use sc in next dc) hope it helps …
it uaually means to stitch a single crochet(sc) in the next stitch. it may say dc because that is the stitch that you did on the row before.
The dc. You sc. Into is the next dc. in the previous row Hope this helps. LaRue
What does it mean at the beginning of a pattern after rnd 1 (RS) and after rnd 4 (WS)? I have never seen (RS) or (WS).
WS = wrong side so RS must mean right side. I haven’t seen this used either.
I have so much anxiety when trying to figure out brackets, asterisks in all the directions. Are they sometimes added to a pattern and then not used?
So confusing! Thanks for this article.
PJ
The * or [] just mean you will be repeating these stitches, but not necessarily in the ‘first’ order that they are given. For example, your pattern may start with -say- five stitches, then five more stitches will be between two *’s, then you do some more different stitches, then you repeat only what is between the **s and continue on with the instructions from then on. It helps to use a yellow highlighter for those pesky repeats so you can find them easily as you go along.
Is there something wrong with the instructions below?
Here’s the link to the pattern
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/special-baby-blanket
The instructions seem to be repeated more than needed. If they are correct, help me understand them.
Row 8: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), *[dc in next dc, ch 2] twice, sc
in center dc of next shell, [shell in next sc, sc in center dc of next
shell] twice, ch 2, skip next 2 dc **, [dc in next dc, ch 2] 3 times;
repeat from * across, end at **;
IS THE FOLLOWING PART BETWEEN THE ! REPEATED BY MISTAKE?
![dc in next dc, ch 2] 3 times;repeat from * across ending last repeat at **!,
[dc in next dc, ch 2] twice, dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4, turn—12 shells.
Would this work if I just ignored the part I put between ! ?
Thanks
I have a pattern that part of the round says 2 herr dc in next st, skip next st*, st, repeat from * to *.
I understand skip next but what does the other st that comes after that mean.
Please help
How to do small X-st in same sc as first dc of last small X-t and in next sc) 3 times.
I do know how to do small X-sts, but I don’t know how to do X -stin same dc, same st, as dc three times or doing in different sp?
Pleas help
replay
my pattern says “skip one st, dc, sc in next st” does that mean to dc and sc in the same stitch?
I just received an amigurumi pattern and some of the directions are a little difficult. One in particular states (sc in each of he next 10 st,dec) x4 (44) This is for the head of the unicorn. This is for a beginner and my first one of these. But I have been crocheting for over 20 years and never had a pattern that read this way. Can you help me at all? I just don’t understand it. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Pam
How do you purl a yo stitch from the previous row? Sorry, this is a knit question.
Iam making a beanie and round 2 say ch3,count as dc,dc in same st, sc in center DC of next 3 dc shell 3 dc in next sc, then repeat