How to read crochet charts

Did you know…

• A chart is also called a crochet diagram, or graph.
• A chart is a drawing with special symbols that represent crochet stitches.
• Many crochet stitch symbols are universal, but symbols can still vary by designer. Even then, they usually look somewhat similar. Especially special stitches may differ more.
• There are overview charts where you see the entire project in a single view, like in the example above. These can be used with or without written instructions. Whether a written pattern is included - or only a chart - differs per designer.
• There are also round-by-round charts, where you always see the current round at the top. These also show exactly how to work the pattern. They are often used as a supplement to a written pattern.

Round-by-round charts

Our crochet patterns often include a chart. Our patterns are so detailed that one large overview chart would quickly become unclear and hard to read. That's why the charts are worked out round by round. This way you can follow the chart even when, for example, you're working in multiple layers.

Another benefit of round-by-round charts is that it's easier to learn how to read charts. You can easily compare the written round to the symbols in the chart. It's also always clear where to find the current round (namely: always at the top).

Important to know about round-by-round charts:

• Read the chart from right to left (for right-handed crocheters).
• The current round is always at the top. Earlier rounds are light gray.
• Note that rounds worked in front/back loops only may sometimes not be visible in the next round(s). That's because these stitches lie on top of each other.
• The charts are meant as a supplement to the written pattern. They make it easier to see where to insert your hook and which stitches to work in that round.
• You'll always see the start/end of the round, and at least one full repeat of the round in the chart. In our patterns the repeat is always the bold instruction of the round.

Examples

In each of the cases below, the chart is shown together with a written pattern. That means you can always read the round's instructions and view them in the chart.

Example 1

In this example you'll see a small chart above the round's chart. In this small chart you can see the start/end of the round. Below that you'll see the part that needs to be repeated.

Only the first stitch of the round is different. You also end the round with a slip stitch. You can see this in the small chart. The larger chart shows the repeat of the round - the part that needs to be repeated a certain number of times to the end of the round.

• You start the round on the right side. Here is the round's description, so you can easily compare it with the chart in this example:
  *1 fp-dc, in next: [1 fp-dc, ch 3, 1 fp-dc], 1 fp-dc, ch 3, 4x: [fp-dc2tog], ch 3, 1 sc in chainspace, ch 3, 1 sc in chainspace, ch 3 ,4x [fp-dc2tog], ch 3.*
• The single crochets in this round are worked into the chain spaces. The yellow arrow points to these chainspaces, so you can see exactly where to insert for the single crochets.
• When you've made the last chain, which you can see all the way to the left of the chart, you start again at the right side of the chart.

Example 2

Another way the chart can be shown: with arrows above the part that needs to be repeated.

This example is from one of our mandalas. In this chart you'll see one different stitch right before the arrow. This is the first stitch of the round. The round description also explains that the first stitch of the round is replaced by a front post slip stitch and 3 chains, and that you end the round with a slip stitch.

• The repeat starts at the first arrow. In this round that means:
  *1 CSC in chain, ch 1, 1 CSC in chain, 2 fp-dc in 1, fp-dc2tog, ch 1, 2 fp-dc in 1, 1 l, fp-dc2tog, 2 fp-dc in 1.*
  As you can see in the chart, the second arrow sits above the last stitch of the repeat.
• The arrow is always above the current round in the chart and shows the beginning and end of the repeat. In our patterns, the repeat is always the bold instruction - the instructions between the *.

Example 3

In this example you'll see a chart without arrows.

This example is from one of our lantern crochet patterns. In this case you can clearly see the first stitch of the round. Charts like this are always used together with the written round instructions. So this chart is meant as extra clarification alongside the written pattern.

• The repeat in this round is:
  *1 cpfst, ch 1, 1 fp-dc, ch 1.*
• The small blue arrow always points to the first stitch of the round. The red dot marks the slip stitch at the end of the round.
• The first cpfst of the round is modified: the first fp-dc is replaced by an front post slip stitch and chain 3.

Tip! Also check this blog to learn the symbols used in charts. This helps you quickly learn which crochet stitch belongs to which symbol and how to make those stitches! You can also read many other blogs about crochet basics here.