Let’s be honest…crochet patterns can look like total gobbledegook when you’re just starting out. So many abbreviations, so many brackets, and don’t even get me started on the UK vs US stitch names. I’ve lost count of how many people have said to me, “I really want to make this, but I just can’t read the pattern!”
If that’s you, or you’ve ever found yourself halfway through a hat wondering why it looks like a pancake – then you’re not alone. But the good news is, reading crochet patterns is a skill you can learn. And like most things in crochet, the more you practise, the easier (and less scary!) it becomes.
Here are my best tips, tricks and tools to help you feel more confident with patterns…especially if you’re a beginner…
How to read crochet patterns: UK vs US terms explained
This one catches so many people out, and I’ve done it myself more times than I’d like to admit. Before you even pick up your hook, always check if the pattern is written in UK or US terms.
Not sure how to tell? Here’s a quick cheat:
| UK Term | US Term |
|---|---|
| double crochet (dc) | single crochet (sc) |
| half treble (htr) | half double (hdc) |
| treble (tr) | double crochet (dc) |
| double treble (dtr) | treble (tr) |
So, if your pattern says “1 sc” and you’re in the UK, that’s actually a UK double crochet. Confusing? A little. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be spotting the difference in no time.
Reading crochet patterns for beginners: start by reading the whole thing
I know it’s tempting to dive straight in (especially when you’ve just bought some gorgeous new yarn), but take a moment to read the whole pattern before you start. Different designers set things out in different ways, and you might find key info tucked at the end or explained in a note at the beginning.
I’ve had emails from people saying, “Help! This doesn’t make sense!” and then a follow-up 2 minutes later: “Ignore that…I’ve actually read the pattern now.” Happens all the time!
Are crochet patterns easy to follow? Break it down row by row
Looking at a full crochet pattern can feel completely overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. So here’s my advice: don’t try to understand the whole thing in one go.
Take it one step at a time. Start with the first instruction, then pause. Highlight it or tick it off once you’ve done it. If you need to repeat something 10 times, use a little tally. Some of my lovely students use sticky notes or paperclips to keep their place… which leads me nicely to this!
Keep your place in any crochet pattern with a Pattern Pal
If you’ve ever lost your place mid-pattern (or ended up frogging half a project thanks to one rogue row), you’ll love this.
The Pattern Pal is a clever little clip that slots onto your pattern and marks exactly where you are. No highlighters, no scribbles, no “where on earth was I?!”
Each one is personalised (you choose the name or message), and they’re available in beautiful Birch wood or glossy coloured acrylic. They clip neatly onto the side, top or bottom of your page, and the “This Row Next” engraving works whichever way up you use it. It’s one of those “simple but brilliant” tools…and honestly, I don’t know how I managed without mine.
👉 Click here to see the Pattern Pal in my shop.
Essential tools for crochet for beginners: stitch markers
I used to think stitch markers were a bit of a faff. Now? I swear by them. They’re especially helpful when you’re working in rounds or long chains, or if the pattern tells you to mark the start of each row. They’ll save you so much unpicking in the long run.
I also love them for marking every 10 stitches in a long chain (handy for patterns that start with something like “Ch 150” – which always sounds easier than it is!).
👉 Click here to see my stitch markers and other tools.
Crochet for beginners: how to check if you’re doing stitches right
If you’re not sure how to do a stitch, Google it…but make sure you’re watching a UK version, not a US one! I always cross-check videos to be sure they match the pattern I’m using.
One of my favourite reliable websites is Bella Coco Crochet – she has fab tutorials, especially for beginners.
Choosing yarn for your crochet pattern: what beginners need to know
If your pattern calls for a specific yarn and you switch it out, just be aware that your project might turn out a bit bigger, smaller or floppier than expected. Always check the pattern for yarn weight and hook size, and if in doubt, make a tension square (I know… but it does help!).
Still stuck? Contact the designer or join a crochet community
Sometimes patterns are just plain wrong. Yep, even published ones. If you’re really stuck and it’s just not working, don’t be afraid to contact the designer. A good designer will always want to help (and be grateful if you’ve spotted a typo!).
If it’s one of mine, just drop me a message or pop a post in our lovely Secret Crochet Club Facebook group; there’s always someone who can lend a hand.
Reading crochet patterns for beginners: it gets easier with practice
Reading crochet patterns gets easier the more you do it. Like learning to read music or follow a recipe, it takes a bit of patience…but once it clicks, it’s magic.
If you’re a beginner, keep going. Use the tips above. Get yourself a Pattern Pal to keep your place. And most of all, be kind to yourself. You’ve got this.
Learn the most common crochet pattern abbreviations
One of the trickiest things about reading crochet patterns for beginners is understanding all those little abbreviations. They can look like code at first, but once you get used to them, they actually make patterns much quicker to read.
Here are a few that come up all the time:
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- htr – half treble
- ss – slip stitch
- dc2tog – double crochet two stitches together (a decrease)
If you’re ever unsure, pop a post in our Secret Crochet Club Facebook group – it’s a fab place to ask questions and get friendly advice. Or, if you’d love some hands-on practice, come along to one of my crochet workshops where we do loads of work with patterns in a really relaxed, supportive way.
Read my previous blog post: 1 Hour Easy Crochet Project That Beginners Will Love!
Skip to the next blog The 5 most common crochet mistakes beginners make!