How to Read Crochet Patterns for Beginners

Once you learn how to read crochet patterns, you can make literally ANYTHING. A crochet pattern serves as a step-by-step guide to creating your project. It outlines the materials you need and exactly what you need to crochet from start to finish. Keep reading to find out how to read crochet patterns to unlock your full crochet potential!

Key Abbreviations

Crochet patterns utilize a lot of abbreviations. Reading patterns may seem foreign in the beginning, but they are easy to figure out. I’ve created a table below with some of the most commonly used abbreviations:

Reading the Pattern

If you encounter an abbreviation or stitch you don’t recognize, don’t worry! Any stitch or abbreviation that is not commonplace will usually be defined by the author of the pattern.

Throughout this post, I’ll be breaking down sections of a pattern from one of my favorite crochet creators, TL Yarn Crafts. I am linking the pattern and her blog here for those who are interested.

Patterns will begin by telling you the materials needed. Make a note of how much yarn is needed (in this case, 1/2 skein) and what size hook you’ll need. I like how TL tells us both the letter (J) and mm size (6 mm) for the hook.

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This NOTES section provides us with a lot of helpful information. The first bullet introduces what TL calls a “foundation single crochet.” As I mentioned earlier, anything not commonplace will be defined. Here she links to instructions for the foundation single crochet.

The second and third bullets tell you about the bobble. Since the bobble is a special stitch, the third bullet tells you exactly how to make a bobble, and that it will be abbreviated as bo throughout the pattern. Remember if you see something unusual, it is the pattern writer’s job to tell you how to crochet it!

The pattern is beginning! The directions are written out row by row. I will “translate” the first few rows:

Row 1: Foundation single crochet 33, turn.

Row 2 and all even rows: Chain 1, single crochet across row, turn.

Row 3: Chain 1, single crochet 2, (bobble, single crochet 3) 7 times, bobble, single crochet 2, turn.

Note this section of Row 3: (bobble, single crochet 3) 7 times. The parentheses indicate the steps to be repeated. So for this particular row, you would bobble, then single crochet 3. You would repeat the bobble, single crochet 3 six more times for a total of 7 times as indicated in the pattern. Sometimes, instead of parentheses, patterns will use asterisks (*) around the steps to be repeated

Remember from the abbreviation table that “rep” means “repeat.” This pattern asks us to repeat previous rounds instead of rewriting the instructions. For example, for row 15, see the instructions for row 7 and repeat.

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Finishing Your Project

Most patterns will be clear-cut about how to finish your project. “Fasten off” means that after the last stitch is complete, you can remove your needle and use scissors to cut off a small length of yarn.

The small amount of yarn left over is called an “end.” If you used multiple colors, sometimes there will be multiple ends. If the pattern asks you to “weave in all ends” you will use a tapestry needle to weave the ends throughout your project for a seamless finish.

How to Find Crochet Patterns

Now that you know how to reach crochet patterns, you can go forth and search for whatever you want to create! It’s as simple as looking for “[type of project] crochet pattern.” For example, when I wanted to crochet a blanket, I searched “blanket crochet pattern.”

You can find crochet patterns anywhere pretty easily. I search on Google, YouTube, and Etsy. YouTube is especially helpful if you prefer to watch someone demonstrating how to crochet the pattern rather than reading it.

Once you start looking, you’ll see crochet patterns are everywhere. The next time you’re at the craft store picking up yarn, take a look at the packaging. A lot of companies have free patterns printed right on the label!

There are also books and magazines dedicated solely to crochet patterns. You can find them at the library or purchase them in print/digital format.

I hope this was helpful in learning how to reach crochet patterns. You now have the knowledge to read any pattern and start crocheting!