How to Read a Crochet Pattern: Abbreviations, Symbols, and Repeats
Crochet patterns look like code until someone explains the shorthand. Here's how to read abbreviations, asterisk repeats, brackets, and stitch counts with confidence.
A crochet pattern can look genuinely intimidating the first time you see one: “sc2tog, *ch 1, sk 1, dc in next; rep from * to end (12 dc).” It reads like code. But it’s really just a compact shorthand, and once someone shows you the handful of conventions, you can read almost any pattern. Let’s decode it.
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Abbreviations
Patterns shorten stitch names to save space. The common US abbreviations you’ll meet early are:
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble (triple) crochet
- st / sts – stitch / stitches
- sk – skip
- yo – yarn over
- rep – repeat
You’ll also see combined terms like sc2tog (single crochet two stitches together – a decrease) and 2 dc in next (two double crochets in the same stitch – an increase).
Asterisks and brackets: the repeat system
This is the part that unlocks everything. Patterns don’t spell out every stitch – they give you a small sequence and tell you to repeat it.
- Asterisks (*): “*ch 1, sk 1, dc in next; rep from * to end” means work everything between the asterisk and the semicolon, then start again at the asterisk, over and over until the end of the row.
- Brackets [ ] or parentheses ( ): These group stitches that happen in one place or repeat a set number of times. “(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next space” means all of that goes into the same stitch or space. “[dc in next 3 sts] twice” means repeat that action two times.
When you see a repeat, it helps to whisper it out loud as you go – it keeps you from losing your place.
Stitch counts
The number in parentheses at the end of a row – like (12 dc) – is the total number of stitches you should have when the row is done.
Turning chains and “counts as”
At the start of a row, patterns often tell you to chain a few and note whether it “counts as” a stitch. A double-crochet row usually starts with ch 3 that counts as the first dc; a single-crochet row usually starts with ch 1 that does not count.
Gauge, hooks, and yarn notes
Near the top of a pattern you’ll find the recommended hook size, yarn weight, and a gauge – something like “14 sts x 16 rows = 4 inches.” Gauge matters most for wearables that need to fit. For a blanket or a dishcloth you can be relaxed about it, but for a hat or garment, make a small swatch and check yours matches before you commit.
Read it once before you start
The single best habit: read the whole pattern through before making a stitch. Note the repeats, the counts, and any special stitches. Patterns feel like a foreign language for about a week – then one day the shorthand just reads like sentences.
Frequently asked questions
What does “rep from * to end” actually mean? Repeat the sequence that started at the asterisk, again and again, until you reach the end of the row or round.
Why do brackets sometimes have a number after them? The number tells you how many times to repeat the bracketed group – for example “[dc, ch 1] 3 times.”
Do I have to match the pattern’s gauge? Only when size matters, like hats and garments. For flat, forgiving projects, a slightly different gauge just makes the finished piece a little bigger or smaller.