Part 1
Written by TuesdayFortnite
I’ve been asked to put together a ‘step-by-step’ taking the fear out of crochet charts, so here’s installment part 1 and I hope you’ll join me in this journey of discovery.
Reading crochet charts can be intimidating if you haven’t yet been inducted into the secret language, but really, honestly, genuinely it’s not difficult. Being an English speaker, I’m now going to make a broad sweeping statement (sorry) and group people into two camps – those who see charts a little like something written in French or Spanish – sort of familiar but you don’t know what it means (the letters are recognisable, the words are not) and those who see charts as being written in Japanese, Cyrillic or hieroglyphs – something completely alien.
Much like learning to read in English, reading a chart is simply a matter of learning a bit of vocab and a couple of reading ‘rules’.
During these sessions we’ll be building two small samplers (one square and one circular) so you get the ideas being shown. You need to be able to chain and do a Double Crochet (DC) and I’ll be using US terminology throughout (despite being English!) So grab some scrap yarn and a hook and settle down class, we’re ready to start!
Vocabulary
First up we need our vocabulary. The vast majority of charts come with a key or legend that lets you know what symbol is being used to represent what stitch.
An example of a legend or key is to the right.
example of a legend key
There are international standards of symbols that most people use now. You can find a good list of them, including a video showing how to do that stitch on the Hass Design pages
Handily the symbol represents a type of stitch regardless of what is called, so the double crochet symbol: 
is also the same symbol for the UK treble crochet symbol. Before you panic though, an easy way to think about these icons is the little bar through the T shape is the number of times you wrap the yarn before you start your stitch. When reading charts I rarely think about what the stitch is called – just that it’s asking me to wrap ‘once’ or more. I think a lot less using charts than I do with written patterns as I’m always having to remember if it’s a US or UK pattern and what they mean by a ‘double crochet’!
When you see a chart symbol it is the same stitch regardless of what it is called either side of the pond. A T with a bar through *always* (and by always I mean 98% of the time, there’s always one isn’t there ;-)) … always means that you:
- wrap the yarn then go through the work,
- yarn over and back through the work,
- yarn over and off two loops,
- yarn over and off the remaining two loops.
That’s a DC in the US, and a treble in the UK, but it’s the same stitch (and diagram) in the drawings. The only time it gets confusing is single crochet, which doesn’t exist in UK terminology.
These symbols are our vocab – our alphabet if you like and our short hand way of showing a particular stitch. The most obvious of these is our starting point!
is a single chain. If you do a few chain and have a look at the front you’ll see it’s like a little tear drop shape or an oval. This symbol is a drawing of that shape. It’s a bit literal and pretty obvious. So if we see a line of these things on a chart, we know it’s a number of chain. The Russians and Japanese are pretty good about putting a number next to a group of chains to let you know how many are in that chain – but older patterns, UK and US patterns are not so good!
Here’s an example of a foundation chain row with the stitch pattern repeat marked (we’re only looking at the very bottom row)…
- row 1 showing stitch repeat count
Handily, the designer of this pattern has included a bracket telling us how many chain there are to a pattern repeat if we wanted to make it wider – often that piece of information is missing! What this means is that if we wanted to make the piece wider we’d add 12 chains for every repeat of the pattern we wanted to add.
Ok, so what are we looking at? We are looking at a row of chain, we know that – but what do we do with it? If we count across that row we find there are 25 individual chains. So we know our first action is to chain 25 stitches. Done that? Good.
Often a pattern will tell you the number of starting chain, but if not, it’s an easy job (if a bit tedious) to count across. If a document is for a stitch pattern rather than a finished object pattern, there will never be a stitch count – but there maybe something that tells you the number of stitches to a repeat – such as above, or some words saying something like ‘Chain a number divisible by 14 + 5’ This means there is a 14 stitch repeat pattern.
What about the +5? Well, I’m glad you asked. The +5 refers to any stitches needed to get your first stitch (we can’t do a treble straight from a Chain, we need a few to ‘bend around the corner’ first – in a treble crochet case we need 4) plus any stitches allowed for in the pattern – there might be a 1 chain gap before you start for example or there might be shaping involved.
Let’s have a look at our sample square again, and study Row 1.
row 1 showing stitch repeat count
First up crochet charts ‘read’ in a slightly strange way. Most charts are written by right handed people, for right handed crocheters. The charts ‘read’ the way you are working, assuming the right side is facing you. The first row will go from RIGHT to LEFT, the second row from LEFT to RIGHT and so on. We also read from the bottom UP, like this….
- reading a chart – directions
By the way, I’m left handed and don’t have a problem reading charts at all – it’s just a practice thing, and I know I’m working the ‘wrong’ way when I check against my charts (for my right side facing, I WORK row 1 left to right and row 2 right to left, but I READ as the chart is written).
So, going back to our ‘Row 1’. We can see that there is 3 turning chain included in the base chain – so we need to add those on. Giving us a chain of 28 (25 +3). These 3 turning chain allow the row to bend enough so that it is the same height as the double crochet we are going to work next.
turning chain
So we have our 28 chain, and we are reading the chart in the correct direction. Now our symbol changes! But it’s OK, we know from our legend (and common practice if you don’t have a legend) that means double crochet. We can also see on our drawing that the bottom of that DC sits on top of a chain.
Counting chains back from the hook
It’s the 5th chain counting back from the hook, so we work a DC into the 5th chain.
That’s the first DC of the diagram taken care of. (note: the first 3 Chain here are pretending to be a DC)
We should now be able to see that there’s:
step-by-step diagram for following Row 1
another DC into the next chain, and then 3 chain.
We skip 3 chain and do a DC into the FOURTH chain along,
We do it again – Chain 3 and skip 3 foundation chain to put a DC into the 4th chain along, but now it changes
we do another 4 DC (each into it’s own little chain) to have a little group of 5 DC.
3 Chain and skip 3 to put a single DC into the 4th chain,
Chain 3 and skip 3
and finish with 3 DC into the last 3 chain.
You’ve now got a symmetrical piece of work with 3 DC at either end (ok, one end is 2DC and 3chain pretending it’s a DC), then a standalone DC in a gap, and a block of 5DC in the middle. In other words it looks like the drawing!
Row 1 of chart
Let me know what you think, and I’ll starting working on Row 2!
Brilliant!
I think I have the hang of it. Piece of cake.
glad you found it useful
This is the best explanation of chart reading I’ve ever seen. Thank you!
no, thank you!
Thanks for putting in so much effort. Amazing clarity in your wirting. I have so many chart patterns with me which I keep postponing. I feel I am ready to give it a shot. 🙂
I agree the best explanation I’ve ever seen. Thank you.
Excellent! Looking forward to the next one.
I’ve NEVER understood the charts… but I’ve crocheted a TON of things using all the abbreviations in the written patterns! You’ve explained this so well that I NOW need to try it out… it actually looks pretty easy to read – now. thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Excellente, simple and easy…
Am self taught, which means poorly. Can only read charts. Wish you had lessons in reading pattern instructions.
I’ll do my best, but it’s a way down the list…
This will help me so much. I learned back in the 70’s before the days of crochet charts! Elizabeth
I have been wanting to learn this. So many beautiful patterns only have charts. Thank you so much for opening up so many more possibilities when choosing another project to do.
This is so very informative and you are so very kind to do this for us.
This is wonderful!!! I have tried to follow other tutorials on YouTube, but I was still lost. Your tutorial was so easy to understand and will take some practice on my part to totally get, but you have given me an excellent start!! Thank you so very much!
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thank you. I’ll takesome timetoget it but I think I’ll be able to!
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you for this amazing explanation. It is going to help me soooooooo much.
Is there a simple way to feed a pattern into a program to generate this form of chart?
Unfortunately not – I was discussing this recently with Mr TuesdayFortnite who is an IT geek, and there is a surprising number of variables involved. In knitting the stitches have to ‘stack’ on top on each other – in crochet they can go all over the show!
It’s actually a very difficult computing problem!
Thank you for this tutorial, you help make it easy. I hope to see more so that I can learn to read these charts. I am having trouble with the V and upside down V. I cannot figure that one out. Ty.
Love that you added a picture at the end with the pattern. I’m a visual learner so just reading doesn’t help. The pattern with the picture is so helpful. I hope you continue with that.
Brilliant. Thank you!!
I think I coukd follow a chart I could understand it. Thank you for explaining it
Thank you so much! I love crocheting with thread. I taught myself since the early 70’s, using those lengthy, written doily patterns. I was intimidated by charts since I was too familiar with the written abbreviations.
But now, after reading your instruction, I am learning a new crochet “language.” Those charts do not seem so daunting anymore. I am ready to start a new adventure in crochet and hope you will be there along the rest of my journey with further direction.
Hope to be right alongside you!
Thannnnnnk you so much! I use patterns, feared diagrams — you made it so simple♡
Your directions are excellent! I’m self taught, and still learning, but at this stage I can only read charts. The stitches themselves are easy, but the confusion comes in when trying to read a chart and then comparing it to a diagram with measurements, and they don’t match up. Which do you follow, the number of stitches, or the measurements? So confused!!
You raise a valid point. What is happening is your tension is different to the designers – this is why it’s important to swatch! for things where it doesn’t matter so much (such as shawl or scarf where you can simply do more repeats) then go with the stitch count.
another option is to try larger hooks and thicker yarn to go ‘bigger’ and thinner yarn and smaller hooks to go ‘smaller’.
The final option involves maths – and more space than I have here – to recalculate all the stitch counts based on your swatch. A blog post at some point!
I don’ understand why people think the charts are so great, written instructions are much easier! Charts are only good for people who can’t read the original language. In charts you have to actually count all the little
bubbles to know that you need to “ch 12.” Seriously???
I agree! And, the chart things are sadly lacking in other instructions such as starting a project or putting together pieces. I have tried multiple chart patterns and ended up frogging all but one of them to use the yarn another way. I much prefer a written pattern. It’s faster and easier to keep one’s place. I’m no novice either as I’ve been crocheting for 40
Years.
Hi Aynet. I think there are different ways of seeing and thinking about things. Sometimes I prefer a written pattern too – and sometimes I want to be able to do a pattern written in Japanese and being able to read charts helps with that. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way – just different ways of seeing a way to communicate an idea.
Muy buena la explicación paso a paso, con el gráfico y con la muestra tejida. Voy a esperar la segunda parte. Muchas gracias. Por mientras voy tejiendo
It has helped me so much. My problem is I chain 3 but knowing to skip 3 chain.
On the charts I see numbers but matching them up to where they belong is difficult.
Brilliant. Very clear instructions and explanations, I have tried many times but it’s been hopeless, thank you. Old habits die hard when for years I have followed written patterns, these instruction make them as clear as written. Diagram of different stitches is a great at the beginning, thank you.
Thanks
someone gave me a book of crochet doily patterns written in chart form! I can’t wait till you get to the circular chart reading lessons! I love to make doilies.
Great! Many thanks! I don’t know how I stumbled on your site. Now saved on my Pinterest pages. At last it makes sense. I’m well retired and have only been used to written patterns – now keen to try the diagram patterns. Thanks again.
Thank you and glad I was finally able to help charts make sense. Hope you are enjoying your retirement – I can’t wait!
Sorry, forgot to click on box asking for new posts.
Thank you for clearing up a few things for me. I have been crocheting for 45 years & still learning some tricks of the trade (craft). You explain things very clearly which I appreciate because at my age sometimes things just don’t click. Thank you again
Love these tutorials! So easy to understand. I have been crocheting for 30 plus years and had never learned to read crocheting charts. Thank you for opening up a new “world” for me. Now I just need to find some charts to practice on.
There are lots of free charts out there on the net – even just putting ‘Crochet Chart’ into Google images will give you more than you can handle!
Glad you enjoyed the tutorials and thanks for taking time time to post!
Eureka!! You have given me the Rosette Stone! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have wanted to read charts for a while now.
Bless you!
Glad I was able to help you.
Thank you so much for giving us this tutorial. There are some very talented people from other countries out there making amazingly beautiful things but I can’t read their patterns. The diagrams are a universal language that allows me to try to follow their designs. Thank you for broadening my world of crochet.
Glad I was able to help you on your crochet adventure
It couldn’t have been any easier! Great job!
Glad you like them
I have just this week taught myself along with the help of you tube videos to crochet. I have tried to read patterns but cannot for the life of me understand them.
Whilst looking for an easy explanation tool to read them, I came across your chart reading.
The easy way you explaine with the help of diagrams is wonderful and I feel that something that was confusing the life out of me before, I could confidently tackle thanks to you.
Thanks again.
So glad they were helpful to you! I hope you enjoy your crochet journey.
Awesome been crocheting for 50+ yrs taught myself reading a pattern. Charts always looked foreign. You’ve made it so simple. My daughter found a rose she wants but only a chart. Many many thanks and God bless
so glad I was able to help – and you are proof that we keep learning! I myself learn something new every single day and isn’t that just so much fun?! Hope your daughter loves her rose.