Happy Monday! Doesn’t the weekend go by so quickly these days? Here’s something to brighten your Monday – a new Readers En-Gauge! Last week we asked you how to keep your knitting or crochet edges neat. This week it’s all about learning to read crochet patterns. This is your chance to teach each other and learn some new tips.
How did you learn to read crochet patterns? What are some tips that help you read new patterns?
We can’t wait to hear all your great answers!
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I learned to crochet from my mother and a self-teaching book teaches me the abbreviations.
Hello! I learned by following videos that also had written patterns.. AllFreeCrochet is awesome for that because there is ALWAYS a pattern link for the video. Now I write my own patterns 🙂
In the early 60’s, I learned to crochet by reading my grandmother’s old Workbasket magazines. I’d try to crochet while she did her tatting. I never could get the hang of tatting, however I did make some nice clothes for my stuffed animals and Barbie doll. I still crochet and the best tip I can give anyone is to keep trying. If a stitch or pattern doesn’t work, try it again. Sometimes the mistakes we make turn out to be interesting one-offs.
I learned by a “Learn how to crochet” beginners booklet, from Walmart…I find PICTURES are worth 1,000 words when I try to start anything new!!!
I learned by reading the patterns first and asking questions of someone who already knew how to crochet. I watched a woman ‘do’ broomstick lace and she explained it and I then was able to do it.
I learned how to read crochet patterns by trial and error. A lot of practice. I would start a row, rip out the row, start the row again, rip it out again until I finally thought it was right. There are still some patterns I do not understand but watching videos online really help. It is always easier to see someone else doing it to understand it. Thank you internet.
I tore out the page out of the back of one of my crochet magazines with the abbreviations so that I had it right in front of me. However, It was easy to remember the abbreviations… I had trouble remembering the stitches that I didn’t use all the time. I kept a beginner book on hand with a stitch guide close by so that I could look up the stitch that I needed. I used step-by-step pictures.
I was taught many years ago by an elderly neighbor. She sent me home with a list of all the abbreviations and I had to know what they meant before she taught me the stitches. She explained from the beginning that knowing how to read a pattern was essential or your limits were very restricted and trying to crochet would be stressful instead of relaxing. I have taught my daughter the same way; and will teach my granddaughter’s with the same method.
I learned how to read patterns from my mother and grandmother. When I got stuck on something in the pattern that I couldn’t understand, I would ask one of them. Now, years later, I’m doing the same for other new crocheters by teaching classes and making myself available to answer those same kinds of questions I used to ask. Paying the art of crochet forward!
My Grandma taught me how to crochet and taught me how to read the patterns. She was left handed so it was harder for me to learn as I am right handed; but, I did it and I still crochet up a storm today and all year around. My best tip is to put a sticky note under the line that you are working on the pattern page to keep track of where you are in the pattern.
As a beginner I would recommend starting off with just simple patterns so you get used to the terminology. As you get more advanced and start working on patterns with repeats sometimes it is helpful to write out the complete pattern on index cards in full detail.
I took written patterns from various sites and matched them to the stitch guides found in the magazines. I also watched youtube videos for the ones that weren’t quite getting through my thick skull, lol… visual helped me A LOT! I still haven’t yet learned how to read a chart, but… that’s definitely on my agenda!
I learned to crochet a few basic stitches in elementary school, but it wasn’t until I bought a tutorial booklet about crocheting, some 20 years later, that I learned how to read a pattern. Now when crocheting, I keep that booklet handy to refresh my memory on stitches that I don’t use that often.
I just taught myself one project at a time by trial and error . I did learn to read charts by following written instructions and then making the same thing using the chart instead of the directions. I still prefer written directions, but charts can come in handy to clarify something that might be confusing.
I took a class, but still find it easier to watch someone then to “read” instructions.
I learned how to crochet from watching videos online. It was easy and could watch and rewind until it looked the same. I also bought a book on dishcloths to help learn how to do different stitches. They are small projects to practice technique and feel like you accomplished something without getting discouraged. Now I have some to give to sell at church bazaar !
I taught myself to crochet. I love trying new stiches.
My grandmother taught me the beginnings back when I was 14, the rest I picked up along the way. Learning SYMBOL crochet was actually a bit more direct: my best friend said, “Here’s a pattern book on how to learn symbol crochet. Now go do it.” She “taught” me thread crochet a similar way. “You already know how to crochet. Only difference is the size of the yarn. Here’s a pattern, thread, and a crochet hook, now go do it.” (That’s how she became my best friend.)
little granma, who taught me handwork showed me that graphs were pictures of what i wanted to make and to make anything was to make it one stitch at a time according to this graph. so, i was 6 at the time and it worked for me.
My Grandma taught me
I went shopping, bought a bunch of books that had patterns that I liked and jumped in with both feet. This was about 2 months ago. Love it. I also looked at lots of how to’s on Pinterest. My best friend, Rhonda, and I helped each learn.
My friend taught me how to single crochet, but I learned how to read a pattern and new stitches from a book I have. I think it is the Crochet Bible. When I get a new pattern, I tend to read through it to make sure I understand it all before beginning. There are some stitches out there that I turn away from. Like FPDC & BPDC. I’m sure they’re easy & I’m missing out on some great patterns that way. I have found YouTube is a real help with learning new stitches too. I Just haven’t taken the time to check those 2. 🙂