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The world of crochet opens up when you learn how to read a pattern. The crochet pattern is written directions on how to make the crochet piece. When you look at a crochet pattern without knowing how to read it, it can look like a different language because of all the symbols and terms. I hope that the crochet stitch chart makes it a little easier for you! Right now, I find that the symbol patterns are actually easier to read than abbreviations or words. So please take the time to learn what the symbols mean, its totally worth it.
If your an absolute beginner please take a look at my beginner’s guide to crochet!
Make sure to measure
Make sure to measure your gauge before you get started! The pattern will say a gauge and you want to make sure yours matches what the pattern says. If you don’t match your gauge, you risk the pattern not being the same scale and if its clothing, you risk it not fitting you at all.
Just doing a square of 4 inches by 4 inches is enough to measure how many stitches you make per inch, and also how many rows to an inch.
parenthesis, asterisks, and brackets
You’re going to see a lot of parentheses, asterisks and brackets in a crochet pattern.
When you see a direction and then it has parenthesis next to it with other numbers like: Ch45(48, 50, 55,60). This is indicating the size difference.
You will just follow the direction of whatever size you have chosen. The sizes listed are in order in all the directions like this.
When you see different stitches in either parenthesis, asterisks, or brackets then it is indicative of repeating the same thing for the whole row.
For example, Row 5: (sc, hdc, sc). You would repeat the single crochet, half double crochet, single crochet sequence until the end of the row.
Shortened Words
Some words in a crochet pattern are just shortened to make the pattern compact.
Inc – Increase
Dec- Decrease
Join – means to join with a slip stitch at the end of a row
Rep- repeat
The backbone of crochet
The stitches in this stitch chart are what I’ll call the backbones of crochet. Along with knowing how to make a magic ring/circle, you will be able to make most patterns with these stitches. Alot of more complex stitches that I’m sure you can’t wait to do, are mostly comprised of the basic ones. Knowing these stitches and how to read them will give you a really good understanding of crochet. Please take the time to learn the symbols, you’ll be happy you did!
Save this Chart!
By no means is this every symbol out there, but for beginners, this crochet stitch chart is more than enough for your first projects.
