Struggling to know where to start when reading crochet patterns? Here are some helpful tips for getting started…
When I first started learning to crochet, it was tutorial video after tutorial video for the win.
But as soon as I had gotten the hang of the basic stitches, I began to tire of making the same items over and over again. I realised that if I was going to learn how to make more than a hat (and move past beginner level) I would be best learning how to read patterns.
Now don’t get me wrong, just as there are many talented musicians out there who cannot read sheet music, there are many experienced crocheters who are not overly fond of, or confident in, reading a pattern… and that’s okay! There is always another way!
However, just like reading sheet music, the ability to read a crochet pattern is a very valuable skill to have- and it has the potential to open up a whole new world for your creativity.
So here are my top tips for learning to read a crochet pattern:
Don’t be intimidated!
There were a number of times, especially as a beginner, when I decided to try out a project, took one look at the pattern…and swiftly gave up. I mean let’s be honest, sometimes the list of required materials alone can seem daunting! I used to wish that the designer would just write ‘1 ball of red yarn’ and be done with it!
However, as I progressed and tried more patterns (and especially after I began designing!) I realised why patterns are often written very specifically:
The more detailed the pattern, the more closely the designer is trying to help you recreate their design.
Instead of ‘2 balls of orange yarn‘, by writing ‘2 x 100g paintbox blood orange DK yarn‘ the designer is helping you to get on track and create an item as close to their design as possible!
Read the designer notes thoroughly!
Another mistake I used to make when reading patterns was that I would skip over the designer’s ‘notes’ section.I thought of it as added fluff that I didn’t really need to bother with. But 9 times out of 10 I would find myself hitting a road block and I’d have to backtrack and read through the notes after all, in order to find a solution to whichever problem had arisen!
So, when you go to start a new project, no matter how excited you are to get started with that gorgeous new yarn you have, please take a minute or two out to give the ‘notes’ section a scan. Even if it just gives you a heads up about a tricky section later down the line and you decide to revisit it in more detail later, you could save yourself some time backtracking (or worse, frogging!) in the long run.
Check the terminology
In Crochet world, the word ‘terminology’ basically means the stitch language in which the pattern is written. The terminology of an English language pattern could be in either UK terminology or US terminology.
Please do not make the mistake of thinking there is no difference between the two!
Just as when you order ‘Chips’ in the UK you will be served an entirely different dish as to what you would be in the US, the same goes for crochet stitches.
Always make sure to check the terminology of a pattern before embarking on a new project.
The difference between a Double Crochet US and a Double Crochet UK could mean the difference between creating a scarf which is long enough to wrap snuggly around yourself, or one which stops so short that only your cat could wrap itself snuggly inside.
Learn abbreviations
One of the most off-putting things about reading a pattern-any pattern– is getting to grips with the abbreviations used. I have heard many a crochet artist complain that they hate reading patterns because they ‘just can’t understand them’.
However they don’t mean they can’t understand the whole pattern, usually what they mean is that they find the abbreviations confusing. I’m not going to argue that they are not, however what I will say is that reading abbreviations is not all that difficult, once you crack the code.
And even if you’re as forgetful as I am, (goldfish have better memories than yours truly!) it’s okay because at the top of every pattern you will find a handy little definition of the abbreviations used throughout.
Another helpful thing to remember is that although every designer is unique, and can be flexible with some abbreviations and explanations, all basic crochet stitches tend to use the same abbreviations.
For a handy reminder of basic abbreviations in both US and UK terminology, check out my info on ‘Understanding abbreviations in Crochet’
Keep trying different patterns
As you delve into more pattern reading, you will likely find a preference for one type of terminology. Despite hailing from Bonnie Scotland, I much prefer patterns in US terminology, because I naturally refer to stitches in US terminology. That’s not to say I don’t use patterns written UK terminology-it’s just not my ‘natural setting‘.
When it comes to reading crochet patterns, practice really does make perfect.
I can’t remember when I transitioned from feeling uneasy about reading patterns to feeling so comfortable that I was ready to write my own, but I do know that with each new pattern I have tried, the less discomfort I felt about pattern reading.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still times when I take a first glance at a new pattern and think ‘eek, maybe not‘. However, that is not a reflection of my confidence in my ability to read the pattern, it is more about personal preference- and whether I’m actually in the mood for tackling that type of project.
Some days I feel like a challenge, other days I just want to work on something repetitive that I don’t need to use brain power for, but hey, don’t we all get days like that?!
Looking for the perfect introduction to reading crochet patterns? Look no further than this cute little baby hat pattern.
How comfortable do you feel with reading crochet patterns?
Do you have a preference for which terminology is used? Or do you just prefer a good old fashioned crochet pattern diagram?
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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