How to read a crochet or knitting pattern, step by step
A pattern doesn't read like ordinary text: every line packs a precise instruction, with its own abbreviations and its own punctuation. Once the logic clicks, any pattern becomes readable — even one written by a different designer, in a different language.
What does each abbreviation mean?
A pattern abbreviates almost everything to fit on a page: “sc” for single crochet, “dc” for double crochet, “inc” for increase, “dec” for decrease. And the same letters don't always mean the same stitch — it depends on whether the pattern comes from the US or the UK. The glossary on this site collects these abbreviations in English and French, with their exact meaning; in the reader, they're underlined and their translation shows on hover, so you don't have to look each one up by hand.
How do you read a row, line by line?
Every row follows roughly the same structure: a number, an instruction, sometimes a repeat in brackets, and a stitch count in parentheses. Take a real row:
Round 3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
- “Round 3” places the line in the piece — the third round from the start, worked in the round since there is no turning chain.
- “[sc, inc]” is the pattern to repeat: one single crochet, followed by one increase, worked into two consecutive stitches from the previous round.
- “x 6” tells you how many times to repeat that pattern across the whole round.
- “(18)” is the total stitch count expected once the row is finished — the checkpoint that tells you whether everything went right.
What does the number in parentheses mean?
It's the number of stitches the row should count at the end, not how many times to repeat anything. It works as a check: count your stitches at the end of the row and compare against the pattern's figure. A mismatch almost always means a skipped stitch or a missed increase a few rows back — better to catch it right away than at the end of the piece, when everything has to come undone.
US or UK pattern: how do you tell?
The same letters do not stand for the same stitch on both sides of the Atlantic: a US “dc” (double crochet) becomes a UK “tr” (treble), and UK “dc” then means single crochet. A pattern that uses “sc” is almost always American — that abbreviation does not exist in British notation. Conversely, “htr” or “trtr” give away a British pattern. The US ↔ UK converter on this site maps every term, in both directions.
Where should a beginner start?
Pick a short pattern, worked in the round, with few sizes and few stitch changes — a coaster or a small amigurumi works well. Read the whole pattern before starting: check the materials, the gauge, and whether rows are numbered continuously or restart with every piece. Then paste the text into the reader on this site: it splits the pattern into steps, shows one row at a time in large type, and counts stitches for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a row and a round?
A row is worked flat, turning the piece at the end of each line; a round is worked in a spiral or a closed circle, without turning, which produces a tubular or flat piece with no seam. The pattern states which one it expects — and the two often alternate within the same piece.
What if the pattern's stitch count doesn't match?
Go back to the last row where the count matched, and rework from there. Undoing two rows costs less than continuing on a wrong count, which only gets worse with every following row.
Do you have to match the gauge exactly?
For a worn garment, yes: a gauge tighter or looser than the pattern's changes the finished size by several centimetres. For anything without a size constraint — a bag, a blanket, an amigurumi — an approximate gauge is not a problem.
Why do some patterns not count the starting turning chain as a stitch?
It depends on the stitch height and the designer's habit: a turning chain sometimes stands in for the row's first stitch, and is counted as one; other times it only raises the work and stays uncounted. Patterns usually clarify this once, at the top of a section.