Crochet World

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Stitch Guide
Crochet

Crochet symbols are a universal language that allow an alternative way of reading patterns.

THE SYMBOLS

In symbol crochet, each stitch is represented by a little picture or symbol.

 or represents a chain (ch) -- and resembles a chain stitch.

 represents a single crochet (sc).

 represents a half double crochet (hdc).

 represents a double crochet (dc).

 represents a treble crochet (tr).

 represents a slip stitch (sl st)—this symbol resembles the chain symbol, but is filled in.

 represents a 4-treble crochet cluster (4-tr cl).

These are the basic symbols we will use in the Melody Mini Doily practice project.

Sometimes there is a special symbol for a group of stitches, such as a bobble or a popcorn; these symbols
are given either with the pattern or are included in a stitch glossary.

A glossary of all symbols used in this article is below.

THE DIAGRAM

When symbols are arranged to form a "picture" of the work to be done, it is called a diagram. The
diagram looks quite similar to the finished crocheted piece and shows at a glance just how it is
constructed.
 On circular designs, such as doilies, the diagram is followed starting at the center, working from
right to left (counterclockwise) if you are right-handed and from left to right (clockwise) if you are left-
handed.
The number 6 in the center of the ring shows the number of chains needed to start; the symbol
for slip stitch indicates joining in a ring. The number of the round is indicated at beginning of the round.
This mini doily practice piece will let you practice following the symbols and show how a diagram
is made.

MELODY MINI DOILY

MATERIALS

Size 10 crochet cotton

Size 7/1.65mm steel crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

GAUGE

9 tr = 1 inch

PATTERN NOTES

Below, you will find the symbols that tell you what to work for each row. Below each illustration, the
instructions for the symbol diagrams are written out in words. First try to work from the symbols, then
check your work against the words.

Ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as first tr), 23 tr in ring, join with sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-4. (24 tr)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same ch as joining, ch 5, *sk next tr, sc in next tr, ch 5, rep from * 10 times, join
with sl st in beg sc. (12 ch-5 sps)

Rnd 3: Sl st in each of next 3 chs, ch 1, sc in same ch as last sl st, ch 5, [sc in 3rd ch of next
ch-5 sp, ch 5] 11 times, join with sl st in beg sc.
 Rnd 4: Ch 4, keeping last lp of each tr on hook, 3 tr in same sc, yo and pull through all 4 lps
on hook (beg cl), ch 2, tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, keeping last lp of each tr on hook, 4 tr in
next sc, yo and pull through all lps on hook (cl), ch 2, *tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, cl in next
sc, ch 2, rep from * 9 times, tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in top of same beg cl, *ch 3, sc in next tr, ch 3, sc in top of next cl, rep from
* 10 times, ch 3, sc in next tr, ch 3, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 ch-3 sps)
 Rnd 6: Sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in same ch sp and in each ch-3 sp
around, join with sl st in beg sc. Fasten off. Secure ends.

SYMBOL GLOSSARY
Symbol
U.S. chain (ch)
U.K. chain
Français maille en l´air
Español cadeneta (cad)
Deutsch Luftmasche (Lftn)
Italiano punto catenella

Symbol

U.S. single crochet (sc)

U.K. double crochet (dc)
Français maille serree
Español punto bajo (pb)
Deutsch Feste Masche (fM)
Italiano maglia bassa (m. bassa)

Symbol

U.S. double crochet (dc)

U.K. treble (tr)
Français bride (br)
Español punto alto doble (pad)
Deutsch Stäbchen (Stb)
Italiano maglia alta (m. alta)
Symbol

half double crochet

U.S.
(hdc)
U.K. half treble (htr)
Français demi-bride (demi-br)
Español punto alto (pa)
Deutsch Halbe Stäbchen (h.Stb)
Italiano mexxa maglia alta

Symbol

U.S. treble crochet (tr)

U.K. double treble (dtr)
Français doulble bride (d-br)
Español punto alto triple (pat)
Deutsch Doppel-Stäbchen (D.Stb)
Italiano maglia ltissima
Symbol
U.S. slip stitch (sl st)
U.K. slip stitch (sl st)
Français maille coulee
Español punto enano (pe)
Deutsch Kettmasche
Italiano maglia bassissima

Symbol

U.S. picot
U.K. picot
Français picot (pi)
Español piquito
Deutsch Pilot (Pi)
Italiano Pippiolino
 Symbol

U.S. cluster (cl)

U.K. cluster (CL)
Français grappe
puntos altos cerrados en el
Español
mismo punto
Deutsch Büschelmasche
Italiano maglia raggruppata

How to Read Crochet Patternse

Crochet Tips & Hints

Table of Contents

 Stitch abbreviations
 Gauge
 Hook sizes: General
 Hook sizes: Aluminum
 Hook sizes: Steel
 Tips for using hooks
 Understanding symbols
 Stitch Abbreviations

beg begin(ning) rem remain(ing)

bl(s) block(s) rep repeat
bpdc back post double crochet rnd(s) round(s)
ch(s) chain(s) RS right side (facing you)
cl(s) cluster(s) sc single crochet
CC contrasting color sk skip
dc double crochet sl st slip stitch
dec decrease sp(s) space(s)
dtr double treble crochet st(s) stitch(es)
fpdc front post double crochet tog together
hdc half-double crochet tr treble crochet
inc increase trtr triple treble crochet
lp(s) loops(s) WS wrong side (facing you)
MC main color yo yarn over
p picot

Gauge

Gauge is determined by the tightness or looseness of your stitches, and

affects the finished size of your project. If you are concerned about the finished size
of the project matching the size given, take time to crochet a small section of the
pattern and then check your gauge. For example, if the gauge called for is 10 dc =
1 inch, and your gauge is 12 dc to the inch, you should switch to a larger hook. On
the other hand, if your gauge is only 8 dc to the inch, you should switch to a smaller
hook.

If the gauge given in the pattern is for an entire motif, work one motif and then
check your gauge.

Crochet hook sizes: General information

METRIC US
.60 mm 16 steel
.75 mm 14 steel
1.00 mm 13 steel
1.25 mm 12 steel
1.50 mm 7 steel
1.75 mm 5 steel
2.25 mm B/1
2.75 mm B/2
3.25 mm C/3
3.50 mm D/4
3.75 mm E/5
4.00 mm F/6
4.50 mm G/7
5.00 mm H/8
5.50 mm I/9
6.00 mm J/10

Aluminum hook sizes

U.S. ENG. METRIC

- 14 2
B/1 13, 12 2.5, 2.75
C/2 12, 11 2.75, 3
D/3 10 3.25
E/4 9 3.5
F/5 8 3.75, 4
G/6 7 4.25, 4.5
H/8 6 4.75, 5
I/9 5 5.5
J/10 4 6
K/10 1/2 2 6.5, 7
- - 7.5
L/11 - 8
M/13 - 9
N/15 - 10
P/16 - 16
Q - 16
S - 19

Steel thread hook sizes

U.S. ENG. METRIC

00 - 2.70
0 00 2.50
1 3/0 2.25
2 2/0 2.20
3 1/0 2.10
4 1 2.00
5 1 1/2 1.90
6 2 1.80
7 2 1/2 1.65
8 3 1.50
9 4 1.25
10 5 1.15
11 5 1/2 1.10
12 6 1.00
13 6 1/2 .85
14 7 .75
16 - .60

Tips for using hooks

Crochet hooks are sized for different weights of yarn and thread. For thread
crochet, you will usually use a steel crochet hook. Steel crochet hook sizes range
from size 00 to 14. The higher the number of hook, the smaller your stitches will be.
For example, a size 1 steel crochet hook will give you much larger stitches than a
size 9 steel crochet hook.

Keep in mind that the sizes given with the pattern instructions were obtained
by working with the size of thread, yarn and hook given in the materials list. If you
work with a smaller hook, depending on your gauge, your project size will be smaller;
if you work with a larger hook, your finished project's size will be larger.

Understanding symbols in crochet patterns

As you work through a pattern, you'll quickly notice several symbols in the
instructions. These symbols are used to clarify the pattern for you: Brackets [ ],
curlicue brackets { }, asterisk *.

Brackets [ ] are used to set off a group of instructions worked a number of

times. For example, "[ch 3, sc in ch-3 sp] 7 times" means to work the instructions
inside the [ ] seven times. Brackets [ ] also set off a group of stitches to be worked
in one stitch, space or loop. For example, the brackets [ ] in this set of instructions,
"Sk 3 sc, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in next st" indicate that after skipping 3 sc, you will work
3 dc, ch 1 and 3 more dc all in the next stitch.
 Occasionally, a set of instructions inside a set of brackets needs to be
repeated too. In this case, the text within the brackets to be repeated will be set off
with curlicue brackets {}. For example, "[Ch 9, yo twice, insert hook in 7th ch from
hook and pull up a loop, sk next dc, yo, insert hook in next dc and pull up a loop, {yo
and draw through 2 lps on hook} 5 times, ch 3] 8 times." In this case, in each of the
eight times you work the instructions included in brackets, you will work the section
included in curlicue brackets five times.

An asterisk * are also used when a group of instructions is repeated.

They may either be used alone or with brackets. For example, "*Sc in each of
the next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, join with a sl st in beg sc" simply
means you will work the instructions from the first * around the entire round.

"*Sk 3 sc, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in next st, rep from * around" is an example of
asterisks working with brackets. In this set of instructions, you will repeat the
instructions from the asterisk around, working the instructions inside the brackets
together.