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
Liz says
This tutorial was SO clear & helpful. I'd only seen a diagrammed pattern once before, but I've always thought that the worded patterns are so... wordy. Thank you for explaining the diagrams so clearly & simply!
Irene says
HI! I'm just getting into crocheting and love it! Thank so much for explaining how to read the charts- they seem much easier to understand and I look forward to trying some out. I have a pattern that i'm interested in trying but i'm a little confused if you have time could you explain how to used written and chart patterned?
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=4713&lang=us
the link above is the pattern that confused me. thanks so much!
debra jo says
YAY! Thanks for opening up the diagram world for me and the other half million people who love you and your crew. You are so important to so many and I'm so glad I found you :))