To read a crochet pattern step by step, start with the materials, gauge and abbreviations, then read the notes, and only then work the instructions one round at a time. Each round tells you which stitches to make, which groups to repeat and how many stitches you should have at the end. Check that count before you move on.
The parts of a pattern (materials, gauge, abbreviations, notes)
Most patterns follow the same order. Reading these parts first saves a lot of unpicking later.
Materials
- Yarn: the weight (for example DK or worsted), the fibre and the colours.
- Hook: the size the designer used. Changing it changes the size of the finished piece.
- Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, stuffing, eyes and anything else you need.
Gauge
Gauge, or tension, tells you how many stitches and rows fit into a measured area with the stated hook and yarn. For garments it decides whether the item fits. For toys it is less critical, but it still decides the finished size, and toy patterns often give the finished height instead.
Abbreviations
Patterns use short forms. These are the ones you meet most in amigurumi (US terms):
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase, two sc in the same stitch
- dec or sc2tog: decrease, two stitches worked together into one
- sl st: slip stitch
- MR: magic ring
- FLO and BLO: front loop only, back loop only
Notes
Designers put important details here: whether the rounds are joined or worked in a spiral, whether the turning chain counts as a stitch, and where to place eyes. Read the notes before you pick up the hook.
Reading a round: Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18)
- Rnd 3 is the round number.
- (sc, inc) is the group to work: one single crochet in the next stitch, then an increase (two sc) in the stitch after it.
- x6 means work that group six times in total, all the way around.
- (18) is the stitch count you should have at the end of the round.
- Check it: each group uses two stitches from the round below and makes three. Six groups make 18 stitches from the 12 of round 2.
Brackets, asterisks and repeats
- Round brackets ( ) usually hold a group of stitches to repeat, or several stitches worked into the same stitch, for example "(sc, hdc) in next st". At the end of a round they often hold the stitch count.
- Asterisks * mark the start of a repeat: "*sc in next 2 st, inc; rep from * around" means repeat everything after the asterisk until the end of the round.
- Square brackets [ ] are used for a repeat inside another repeat, or, in patterns with several sizes, for the figures for the other sizes.
- A number after a repeat, such as "x4" or "4 times", tells you how many times to work the group in total.
Stitch counts at the end of a round
- When you finish a round, count your stitches. A stitch marker in the first stitch makes this easier.
- If your number matches the pattern, carry on.
- If it does not, look for a missed increase or decrease, or a stitch worked twice into the same place.
- Fix it straight away. In amigurumi one missing stitch in an early round can change the shape of a whole head.
US vs UK terms: check which one the pattern uses
The US and UK use the same names for different stitches, so always check which terms a pattern is written in. It is usually stated near the top.
- US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)
- US half double crochet (hdc) = UK half treble (htr)
- US double crochet (dc) = UK treble (tr)
- US treble (tr) = UK double treble (dtr)
- Slip stitch and chain have the same name in both.
If a toy pattern tells you to work "dc" all the way through, it is very likely written in UK terms and means the US single crochet.
Reading a chart vs written instructions
How to read a chart
- Each symbol stands for a stitch, and a key explains them.
- Charts are read from the bottom up for flat pieces. If you crochet right-handed, the first row is usually read from right to left, the next from left to right, and so on, because you turn the work at the end of each row.
- Charts worked in the round start at the centre and are read outward. If you crochet right-handed, each round is read counter-clockwise, which is the direction you work.
- Left-handed crocheters read in the mirror direction.
When to choose one over the other
- Charts show the shape of lace and motifs at a glance.
- Written instructions give exact counts, which is why most amigurumi patterns are written rather than charted.
- When a pattern gives both, use the chart to see the shape and the text to check the counts.
Practising
A small toy is a good way to practise reading rounds, because every round has a stitch count you can check. Try a small animal such as Bella the Bunny or Daisy the Cow, or look through the amigurumi pattern collection. Read each pattern through once before you begin, and check whether it uses US or UK terms.
