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Got Math? How to Read Crochet Patterns

Crochet patterns can be difficult to decipher for beginners. They tend to look like abstract algebraic equations with endless variables such as "SC" and "DC" and random * (stars) and [ ( brackets ) ] thrown in to add even more confusion. It's no wonder that many want to give up even before they start! These crochet tutorials intend to help decode all of that crochet language into the simplest of terms and guide you to a better understanding of how to read crochet patterns.

For each example below, the "equation" is what you would see in the actual pattern, and the "translation" is what you are being asked to do, but in plain English. For the more complicated stitches, you might prefer to "decode" the pattern before you start, putting it into what I call "long form," meaning that you write down each stitch in the order it is to be performed, putting parenthesis around only those stitches that require you to place several stitches in the same spot.

Quick Links to Each Problem:

Problem 1 Problem 2 Problem 3 Problem 4 Problem 5 Problem 6 Problem 7

Problem 1
Equation: (dc, ch 1, dc) in next sc	Translation: Place a double crochet, one chain stitch, and one more double crochet all in the next single crochet stitch from the previous row	Long Form: not applicable

Problem 2
Equation: 2 dc in ch-2 sp	Translation: Place two double crochet stitches in the chain-two space created in the previous row.	Long Form: not applicable

Problem 3
Equation: (3 dc, ch 1) 2 times	Translation: Double crochet three times (one in each of the next 3 stitches), and then make one chain stitch. Repeat that series of steps once more.	Long Form: dc, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, dc, ch 1

Problem 4
Equation: [(3 dc, ch 1) in next st] 2 more times	Translation: Create three double crochet's and then a chain stitch in the next stitch, and then repeat that same series of stitches two more times. The key here is to do what is asked for in the parenthesis first, and then look outside the parenthesis to see WHERE to place that series of stitches. In this case, it's saying do it "in (the) next stitch." Lastly, look outside of the brackets to see if that series of stitches needs to be repeated again, and if so, how many more times. In this case, two more times.	Long Form: (dc, dc, dc, ch 1) in the first stitch, (dc, dc, dc, ch 1) in the second stitch, (dc, dc, dc, ch 1) in the third stitch

Problem 5
Equation: sk next 2 sc, (3 dc in next sc, ch 1, skip next 2 sc) 4 times, 3 sc, repeat from * to * once	Translation: First skip the next two single crochet stitches, place three double crochet stitches in the next single crochet stitch, then chain stitch once, and skip the next two single crochet stitches. Repeat everything in the parenthesis three more times for a total of four times all together. When finished, create three single crochet's, one in each of the next three stitches, and then repeat everything from the beginning * star to the ending * star once more.	Long Form: sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, sc, sc, sc, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk, (dc, dc, dc), ch 1, sk, sk

Problem 6
Equation: (2 dc, ch 1) twice in next ch-2 sp, (dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2) twice	Translation: In the next chain-two space, double crochet twice, chain stitch once, double crochet twice and chain stitch once. Then, in the next chain-two space, double crochet once and chain stitch twice. In the third chain-two space, double crochet once and chain stitch twice.	Long Form: (dc, dc, ch, dc, dc, ch) in the next ch-2 sp formed in the previous row, dc in the next ch-2 sp, ch, ch, then dc in next ch-2 sp, ch, ch

Problem 7
Equation: (2 dc, ch 1) twice in each of next 3 sts	Translation: In each of the next three stitches created in the previous row, you are going to make two double crochet's and then chain stitch once, and two double crochet's and chain stitch once again	Long Form: (dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1) in the first st, (dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1) in the second st, (dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1) in the third st

Now that you have a rudimentary idea of how to read patterns, let's look at how we can use this information to increase and decrease our work.

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