With the amount of free crochet patterns available online these days, a beginning crocheter may become overwhelmed with all the terminologies and abbreviations. Beginner crocheters don’t have to fumble through all that information by themselves with these tips for reading the crochet patterns.
Beginner Crochet Pattern Tip One: Read the Rows of the Pattern
To better understand the pattern you are wanting to crochet, read every row of it before starting. The crocheted piece is based on the rows of the pattern you are using. Each row in the crochet pattern is based on stitches and loops. By knowing which stitch and how many loops a stitch has will help you better understand how to make the crocheted piece.
Beginner Crochet Pattern Tip Two: Read the Pattern Completely
Reading the rows of the pattern is one thing, but reading the pattern completely before starting is another thing you can do before starting to crochet a piece. By reading the whole pattern completely before starting can help you research abbreviations and the terminology used in it before starting.
Knowing what each of the things in the crochet pattern means before starting can help you understand what the person who created the pattern means. There are different techniques in each pattern that requires different stitches to make the pattern. At this point, you can practice any part of the pattern you are not understanding by reading the directions.
Beginner Crochet Pattern Tip Three: Marking the Rows Finished
By marking the rows you have finished during your first few pieces can help you keep track of what ones you have done. By doing this, you won’t repeat a row and have to undo that row or the previous one.
When you have to stop working on your crocheted piece, by marking the rows as you have finished them will help you know where you left off. This way you won’t have to try to figure out where you stopped. If you forget where you stopped because you didn’t mark off the row you finished, start at the center or first row. You can count how many rows you have completed in the piece so far and start from there.
Beginner Crochet Pattern Tip Four: Learn What the Abbreviations Are
By learning what the abbreviations are in a crochet pattern, you will be able to understand how to make the crochet piece. Many of the abbreviations have the vowels left out of them to shorten the length of the pattern. Sometimes the stitches are shortened by a few letters.
If you don’t learn the abbreviations for the crochet patterns it will make it harder for you to be able to crochet the design in the pattern. After you have learned the abbreviations and other terminology in a crochet pattern, you will be able to complete the piece with greater ease.
Sources for Crochet Stitches
Where to find crochet stitches and techniques how-to pages
Crochet Stitches
Videos for Crochet Stitches
