Lesson 2.4: Reading Crochet Charts
What You'll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll understand:
What a crochet chart (or diagram) is and why it is useful.
How stitch symbols match written crochet terms.
How to read row-by-row charts vs. round-by-round charts.
The direction to read charts (right-to-left, left-to-right, and bottom-to-top).
How to identify repeats and row numbers in a chart.
How to read a written pattern and a chart side by side.
1. What Is a Crochet Chart?
A crochet chart (also called a symbol chart or visual diagram) represents a crochet pattern using standardized geometric symbols instead of written words.
While written patterns rely on text abbreviations, a chart shows a visual "map" of what your finished project will look like stitch by stitch.
Why Learn to Read Charts?
Universal Language: Crochet symbols are standardized internationally. A chart designed in Japan, Germany, or the U.S. uses the exact same core symbols, making it easy to follow patterns from all over the world without translation barriers.
Visualizing Structure: Charts instantly show where stitches align, where increases/decreases happen, and where you insert your hook (e.g., into a chain space vs. into a stitch).
Catching Errors Early: It is easier to spot a missing stitch or wrong placement by looking at a picture than by re-reading long lines of text.
2. Common Crochet Chart Symbols
Every crochet stitch has its own unique symbol designed to look somewhat like the physical stitch itself.
| Symbol / Visual Representation | Stitch Name (U.S. Term) | Description / Visual Cue |
o or 0 (Horizontal or vertical oval) | Chain (ch) | Open oval |
• or ▲ (Solid dot or filled triangle) | Slip Stitch (sl st) | Small solid dot or filled shape |
+ or x | Single Crochet (sc) | Small plus sign or lowercase 'x' |
T | Half Double Crochet (hdc) | Plain capital letter "T" |
T with 1 diagonal crossbar | Double Crochet (dc) | Letter "T" with one line through the stem |
T with 2 diagonal crossbars | Treble Crochet (tr) | Letter "T" with two lines through the stem |
V shape with stitch symbols | Increase (inc) | Two stitch stems coming out of one bottom point |
Inverted V shape (/\) | Decrease (dec) | Two stitch stems joining together at the top |
Pro Tip: Notice how the crossbars on tall stitches count the yarn overs! A double crochet has 1 crossbar (1 yarn over), while a treble crochet has 2 crossbars (2 yarn overs).
3. Direction & Flow: How to Read a Chart
Reading a chart is different from reading a regular book. You must follow the direction that your crochet hook actually moves!
A. Flat Crochet (Working in Rows back and forth)
Bottom to Top: You always start at the bottom (foundation chain) and work your way up to the top.
Right-Handed Crocheters:
Row 1 (Right Side / RS): Read from Right to Left $\leftarrow$
Row 2 (Wrong Side / WS): Turn your work, so read from Left to Right $\rightarrow$
Row 3 (RS): Read from Right to Left $\leftarrow$
Left-Handed Crocheters:
You will read your odd rows from Left to Right and even rows from Right to Left to match the direction of your working hand.
Row 3 (RS): [10] <-- [9] <-- [8] <-- [7] <-- [6] <-- [5] <-- [4] <-- [3] <-- [2] <-- [1] (Read Right to Left)
Row 2 (WS): [1] --> [2] --> [3] --> [4] --> [5] --> [6] --> [7] --> [8] --> [9] --> [10] (Read Left to Right)
Row 1 (RS): [10] <-- [9] <-- [8] <-- [7] <-- [6] <-- [5] <-- [4] <-- [3] <-- [2] <-- [1] (Read Right to Left)
o o o o o o o o o o o (Foundation Chains)
B. In the Round (Granny Squares, Motifs, Amigurumi)
Center Outward: Start in the middle (a ring or magic circle) and work outward in expanding circles/rounds.
Counter-Clockwise: Most round charts are read counter-clockwise (for right-handed crocheters).
Round Numbers: Follow the numbers placed near the start of each round (usually near the turning chains or slip stitches).
4. Reading Chart Keys & Repeats
The Chart Key (Legend)
Always look for the Key attached to a chart first. While standard symbols exist, some designers use custom symbols for complex stitches (like bobbles, puff stitches, or front-post stitches).
Pattern Repeats in Charts
When a chart shows a repeating stitch pattern:
Bold/Colored Lines or Brackets: A heavy box or bracket around a section at the bottom of the chart indicates the Stitch Multiple or Pattern Repeat (e.g., "Repeat section of 4 stitches").
Side Numbers: Numbers placed on the right and left margins tell you which row you are working on.
Odd numbers placed on the right side mean Row 1 starts on the right.
Even numbers placed on the left side mean Row 2 starts on the left.
5. Step-by-Step Example: Flat Swatch Chart Translation
Let's translate a basic visual chart into written steps side by side:
Visual Chart Diagram (Concept)
Row 2 (WS) [T] [T] [T] [T] [T] <-- (Ch 2 turning chain on left)
Row 1 (RS) (Ch 2) [T] [T] [T] [T] [T] <--
Foundation: o o o o o o o o
Side-by-Side Breakdown
| Chart Element | Written Translation |
Row of 8 open ovals o at bottom | Foundation Chain: Ch 8. |
2 vertical ovals o on right side of Row 1 | Turning Chain: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc). |
5 T symbols working right-to-left | Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 hdc total including turning ch) |
2 vertical ovals o on left side of Row 2 | Row 2: Ch 2, turn. |
5 T symbols working left-to-right | Hdc in each st across. Turn. |
6. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Forgetting to Alternate Direction: On flat projects, don't read every row from right to left! Remember that turning your physical work reverses the direction for even-numbered rows.
Miscounting Turning Chains: Look closely at whether the turning chains count as a stitch in the chart (they will sit directly above a foundation stitch) or if they are just extra height (they will sit off to the side).
Ignoring Hook Placement: A stitch symbol drawn directly above another stitch means you insert your hook into that stitch. A stitch symbol drawn inside an open chain oval means you work into the chain space, not into the chain stitch itself!
7. Practice Quiz
Test Your Chart Knowledge
1. On a flat crochet chart, which direction do you read Row 1 (assuming right-handed crochet)?
A) Left to right
B) Right to left
C) Top to bottom
2. What does a T symbol with one diagonal line across its stem represent?
A) Single crochet
B) Half double crochet
C) Double crochet
3. In a round chart (like a granny square), how do you read the pattern?
A) From the outer edge inward to the center
B) From the center outward, counter-clockwise
C) Top to bottom in straight lines
Quiz Answers
Question 1: B) Right to left. You read Row 1 from right to left, matching the path your hook takes across the foundation chain.
Question 2: C) Double crochet. The single crossbar indicates 1 yarn over, which is a double crochet.
Question 3: B) From the center outward, counter-clockwise. You start at the foundation ring and build outwards round by round.
8. Homework 🧶
Find a Dual Pattern: Find a free beginner crochet pattern online or in a book that includes both written instructions and a symbol chart (granny square patterns or simple lace swatches work great).
Trace Row 1: Use your finger or a pencil to trace Row 1 on the chart from right to left.
Compare with Written Text: Match each symbol in Row 1 to the corresponding written text step.
Identify the Symbols: Write down a mini "Key" on a sheet of paper listing every symbol used in that chart and its abbreviation.
Lesson Summary
Today you learned how to read visual crochet charts! Charts use standard geometric symbols to create a visual map of a project.
Flat charts are read from bottom to top, alternating directions each row (right-to-left for odd rows, left-to-right for even rows).
Round charts are read from the center outward.
Connecting written instructions with chart symbols allows you to tackle patterns in any language with total clarity!
