Crochet for Beginners: How to Read Crochet Patterns
Crochet for beginners can be a bit of a doozy. If you want to learn how to crochet, it's important to review all of the crochet basics. From hooks to yarn weight, learning how to crochet can get overwhelming. However, Crochet for Beginners: How to Read Crochet Patterns is here to make your journey easier! Once you've learned about crochet hook sizes and styles (check out our guide here), it's time to learn a bit about how to read crochet patterns.
At first glance, crochet instructions can look like a foreign language. Crochet stitches are almost always abbreviated in crochet instructions, so it can be hard to get used to. This guide is here to help you make some sense of all that gobbledygook. All you need to do is get familiar with the crochet abbreviations, and you'll learn how to read crochet patterns in no time.
Crochet Abbreviations: Commands
The first step in learning how to read crochet patterns is learning the common commands. You'll find these in every crochet pattern. The chart below depicts some of the most important instructional abbreviations.
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Crochet Abbreviations: Basic Crochet Stitches
The next step in learning how to read crochet patterns is learning the abbrevations for basic crochet stitches. The stitches below are among the most common you'll find in crochet tutorials.
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More Crochet Abbreviations
Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to familiarize yourself with the rest of the crochet abbreviations. Although learning how to read a crochet pattern can be tough, you always have this guide to help you! Who says crochet for beginners can't be fun?
Alt = Alternate
Approx = Approximately
Beg = Beginning
BPdc = Back post double crochet
Ch-sp = Chain space
Cont = Continue
Dc2tog = Double crochet 2 stitches together
FPdc = Front post double crochet
Patt = Pattern
Rnd = Rounds
Tog = Together
Ws = Wrong side
Yo = Yarn over
Yoh = Yarn over hook
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What are the most important crochet stitches for beginners to learn?