Ok, so you’ve got a hook, some gorgeous yarn and a bag full of pretties. You’re raring to go. What you need to do next is find a pattern and create something amazing. All you need to know about patterns is that you’ll find them in two different formats – as written instructions or as a diagram made of symbols.
A written pattern is just like following a recipe. It has its own ingredients list, often imaginatively entitled ‘you will need’, which does indeed tell you what you need to complete the project. This covers the important things, like the yarn (brand, colour/shade number and quantity) and the hook you will need. It will also include any additional materials, such as felt, ribbons and toy stuffing.
It may look like this:
Next in a written pattern are the instructions themselves and, just like a recipe, they’ll describe each step you need to follow. They will be numbered and contain the information on stitch making for that specific row or round. They also use abbreviations.
It may look like this:
Row 3: Dc 7, dc2tog (8 sts)
Now to a beginner, this will look like gobbledygook. Don’t worry; it will all make sense as you work through the book. For now, all you need to know is that these are the stitches made in Row 3.
Written patterns usually abbreviate crochet terms to make them easier to read and will often supply a key. You’ll soon get used to working from them and below are the main ones you will find.
| Back loops only | BLO |
| Chain | ch |
| Double crochet | dc |
| Double crochet decrease | dc2tog |
| Half treble | htr |
| Right side | RS |
| Skip | sk |
| Slip stitch | sl st |
| Stitches | sts |
| Treble | tr |
| Wrong side | WS |
Crochet patterns can be written with UK or US terms. This means that some of the stitches have a slightly different name. It’s nothing to worry about and the differences are shown below:
| UK | US |
|---|---|
| Double crochet (dc) | Single crochet (sc) |
| Treble crochet (tr) | Double crochet (dc) |
| Half-treble crochet (htr) | Half-double crochet (hdc) |
| Double treble crochet (dtr) | Triple crochet (trc) |
All of the patterns in this book are written using UK terms.
The other format for crochet patterns is a chart. This is quite simply a visual representation of the pattern, using symbols to depict the stitches, rather than words. Each row or round is marked with a number, so you know where you’re heading. Throughout this book there will be examples of charts for you to see and work with.
The great thing about charts is that the symbols are standardized. Here are the main ones:
The final part of a written pattern will give instructions for how to make up or finish your project. It may tell you how to attach pieces, or what to sew to where.
I know that it all seems a little baffling at the moment, but let me assure you that this book is going to guide you through every step. Soon you’ll be reading patterns and charts like a pro.
