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
Mary Harris says
Thanks Mikey for the tutorial..It did help to understand how to read the crochet diagram. I can see why it would be easier to understand because there have been times that I have had to rip out a row or two or more because while I read it one way it could be misunderstood and you can actually crochet it in a different way and then realize that you were reading the pattern wrong....in a diagram you can plainly see what the stitches are and how many and you know the placement of each stitch...so I thank you for letting me see just how easy it is to read...You were Bang on!!!
Rebecca Boukikaz says
Mickey, that was the clearest tutorial or explanation of charts I have ever heard or read. I have been using charts for years, but use both charts and written instructions. I needed to chart a pattern for a friend who does not speak English or French. Now I know how. Thank you for this and all the other tutorials you do. You are such an inspiration for me and countless others.
Carol Lee Brown says
I have two of my mothers doilies that I need to block....can anyone give me some idea of what to do. I remember her doing it, but I was just a kid.