The art of reading a crochet diagram is a method I prefer over reading written words. It's like teaching yourself hieroglyphics but for crochet. The symbols mean something and are a language all to itself. For myself, my first crochet book, when I was fourteen, had written words and diagrams for each pattern.
Standard Crochet Diagram Symbols Downloadable
You can download this worksheet to accompany your crochet patterns. A good pattern usually includes a stitch key that explains each symbol.
Crochet Diagram Collection of Designs
Our Pinterest page has an entire collection of computer-generated crochet diagrams. Many more were drawn with pencils and left out of the collection. There are over 150 crochet diagrams on file.
Reading isn't my strong suit, and it's still not today. Look at my grammar, and you can see I am not kidding.
I learned to crochet through reading the diagrams as I understood what the symbols meant. Using a stitch key, I taught myself pretty quickly.
TIP: Give yourself time to develop the skill to read the diagrams. Once you get it, patterns across the globe will open up to you without ever having to know the language the designer is speaking.
The video below is a comprehensive look at reading crochet diagrams. I start back at the very beginning and work towards getting more complicated. Everything from how to read them, symbols, and so much more. The video has 15 segments. I provide the minute marker near the beginning of the tutorial so you can fast forward if you want to see particular elements and learn specific information.
Video Tutorial
Learning crochet is not a race, enjoy the journey.
This is How Mikey Makes The Diagrams
Tammy says
I also had books and magazines with diagrams when I first started to crochet from a pattern. I now only crochet from diagrams because I can see how the rows are made and whats next. They also are the same the world over unlike written patterns which have differences.
Lori says
Mikey,
This was so very helpful! You explained things beautifully. Do you have a special trick on how to keep up with where you are in the pattern? I am add and I need all the pointers I can get to stay focused and keep on track. And thanks for moving the logos to the top of the screen now things are easier to see. Bang on once again Sir!! You've been so busy for TCC and it's only the 15th of the month you're going to need a vacation soon:) Thanks for all you and the CC crowd do!!!
Sharon says
That was super awesome thanks Mikey. Something I've needed to learn for a while now. I'm going to sit down this minute and figure out one I have been itching to try.