How to Read a Crochet Pattern

Crochet patterns are written in a compact shorthand. It looks like code at first, but it follows a few simple rules. Once you know them, most patterns read almost like a sentence.

What a pattern usually includes

Before the instructions start, most patterns list:

• Materials: the yarn weight, colours, hook size and extras such as stuffing or safety eyes.
• Finished size: how big the piece will be with the suggested yarn and hook.
• Gauge or tension: sometimes given, though amigurumi patterns often simply ask for a firm fabric.
• Abbreviations: the stitch shorthand used in the pattern.
• Notes: anything special, such as whether rounds are joined or worked in a spiral.

Read all of this before you pick up your hook. It answers most questions before they come up.

US and UK terms

US and UK patterns use some of the same names for different stitches. The pattern should tell you which it uses.

• US single crochet (sc) is a UK double crochet (dc).
• US half double crochet (hdc) is a UK half treble (htr).
• US double crochet (dc) is a UK treble (tr).
• Chain and slip stitch are the same in both.

Common abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase, two stitches in the same stitch
• dec: decrease, two stitches worked together
• st / sts: stitch or stitches
• Rnd / R: round
• MR: magic ring
• BLO / FLO: back loop only or front loop only
• FO: fasten off

Reading a round

Here is a typical opening to an amigurumi ball, written as an example:

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6 [18]
Rnd 4–6: sc in each st around [18]

Taking it line by line:

• Rnd 1 works six single crochets into the magic ring. The number in square brackets is the stitch count at the end of the round.
• Rnd 2 puts an increase in every stitch, doubling 6 to 12.
• Rnd 3 repeats the sequence in brackets six times: one single crochet, then one increase. That adds six stitches, giving 18.
• Rnd 4–6 means three rounds with no increases, which builds the straight sides of the ball.

Brackets and asterisks

Round or square brackets group a sequence to repeat, followed by how many times. Some patterns use asterisks instead, as in "*sc, inc; repeat from * around". Both mean the same thing: work the sequence, then do it again until you reach the end of the round or the number of repeats given.

A few habits that help

• Print the pattern or use a PDF app that lets you highlight, and mark each round as you finish it.
• Check your stitch count at the end of every round, not just when something looks wrong.
• Read the whole section for a part before starting it. Notes about colour changes or safety eyes are easy to miss halfway through.

Practise on a simple shape first. The Happy Little Duckling is mostly rounds like these, which makes it a gentle way to put this into practice.