How to Read a Crochet Pattern: Abbreviations, Repeats and Counts

In short

According to the Craft Yarn Council's Standards & Guidelines (2018), US patterns use standard abbreviations such as ch, sc and dc, an asterisk to mark instructions repeated as directed, and brackets or parentheses for groups worked a set number of times. Check the terminology, hook size and gauge first, then compare stitch counts at row ends.

Crochet pattern — A crochet pattern is a set of written instructions, sometimes with a symbol chart, that tells you which materials, hook size and gauge to use and which stitches to work, row by row or round by round, to make a specific item.

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A crochet pattern looks like code the first time you see one: “Ch 16. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—15 sc.” Once you know its handful of conventions, it reads like a recipe. This page goes through a pattern from top to bottom, in the order you should read it. All terms are US; the Craft Yarn Council’s abbreviations master list, which most US patterns follow, uses US terminology too.

At a glance: what to check before row 1

Check	What to look for	Example
Terminology	US or UK terms	sc only exists in US terms; htr or “tension” means UK
Skill level	Craft Yarn Council levels 1 to 4	Basic, Easy, Intermediate, Complex
Hook	size in millimeters first	5 mm = H-8, 5.5 mm = I-9, 6 mm = J-10
Yarn	weight category and amount	Medium (4) worsted, 2 skeins of 200 yd
Gauge	stitches and rows over 4 inches	14 sc and 16 rows = 4 in
Repeats	asterisks, brackets, parentheses	sc, ch 1; rep from across
Stitch counts	number at the end of a row	—15 sc
Stitch names	US names and their UK equivalents	sc = UK dc, hdc = UK htr, dc = UK tr
Yarn weight names	Craft Yarn Council category behind the name	Light (3) = DK; Medium (4) = worsted, afghan, Aran

1. Read the header before the first row

Most of the information that decides whether a pattern will work for you sits above the instructions:

Skill level. Many patterns use the Craft Yarn Council’s four project levels: Basic, Easy, Intermediate and Complex. A Basic project uses basic stitches and may include basic increases and decreases.
Terminology. A note such as “US terms used” or “written in UK terms”. If there is none, the abbreviations tell you: our page on US vs UK crochet terms shows how to check.
Finished size. The dimensions of the item, and for garments the size range.
Materials. The yarn (brand, fiber, weight category and how much), the hook size, and notions such as stitch markers, a yarn needle or stuffing. The Craft Yarn Council’s guidelines for pattern writers ask designers to give hook sizes both in millimeters and in US sizes. Rely on the millimeters, which are consistent across brands.
Gauge. How many stitches and rows the designer got over a given width, usually 4 inches.
Special stitches and notes. Any stitch not in the standard list is explained here, along with conventions such as whether the turning chain counts as a stitch.

2. Work a gauge swatch when size matters

Gauge is how a pattern makes sure your finished piece matches its stated size. Make a small square with the recommended hook and yarn, measure 4 inches in the middle, and count the stitches. The Craft Yarn Council’s rule is simple: if your swatch is larger than the pattern’s gauge, change to a smaller hook; if it is smaller, change to a larger hook. For a dishcloth or a scarf, gauge matters little. For a hat, a sweater or anything that has to fit, skip it and the result will be the wrong size.

3. Decode the abbreviations

Patterns abbreviate everything. The most common US abbreviations are:

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	chain
sl st	slip stitch
sc	single crochet
hdc	half double crochet
dc	double crochet
tr	treble crochet
st(s)	stitch(es)
sk	skip
yo	yarn over
rep	repeat
RS / WS	right side / wrong side
sp	space
tog	together, as in sc2tog (decrease)
inc / dec	increase / decrease
ch-sp	chain space

A pattern lists its own abbreviations near the top when it uses unusual ones; the Craft Yarn Council notes that special abbreviations are generally defined at the beginning of a book or pattern. If you do not know the basic stitches yet, our guide to basic crochet stitches covers them.

4. Follow repeats: asterisks, brackets and parentheses

Repeats are where most beginners get lost. The Craft Yarn Council’s standard defines them like this:

Asterisk (*): repeat the instructions that follow it as directed. “*Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around” means you work that pair of instructions again and again until you reach the end of the round.
Brackets [ ] or braces { }: work the instructions inside as many times as directed. “[Ch 1, dc] 3 times” is ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc.
Parentheses ( ): either work the group as many times as directed, or work the whole group into the same stitch or space. “(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner sp” means all five elements go into that one corner space.

Read a repeat to the end before starting it, so you know where it stops. A highlighter or a sticky note under the current row helps.

5. Check the stitch count at the end of each row

At the end of a row or round, most patterns give the number of stitches you should have, written as ”: 14 sc”, “(14 sc)” or “—14 sc”. The Craft Yarn Council’s guidelines ask designers to give these counts after every row or round with an increase or decrease, and Jean Leinhauser’s guide for the council advises counting at the end of every row. It is the single most useful habit for a beginner: a wrong count caught at the end of one row costs a few stitches to fix; caught ten rows later, it costs the whole section.

When counting, remember the turning chain convention. In Jean Leinhauser’s guide, the ch-1 of a single crochet row is never counted, while on taller stitches the turning chain counts as the first stitch unless the pattern says otherwise. Many modern designers state their own rule in the notes; theirs takes priority.

6. Rows and rounds

“Row” means you work back and forth, turning at the end. “Round” or “Rnd” means you work in circles from a center, either joining each round with a slip stitch or working in a continuous spiral with a stitch marker at the start. A pattern worked in the round usually begins with a magic ring or a chain ring.

7. Reading a chart

Some patterns add a symbol chart, or replace the words with one. The Craft Yarn Council describes charts as an addition to or a replacement for written instructions, with each symbol mostly showing a stitch as it looks on the right side. A small circle or oval is a chain, a cross or a plus sign is a single crochet, and a vertical line with crossbars is a double crochet, but always check the key, as the council advises. Charts worked in rows are read from the bottom up, alternating direction each row; charts in the round start at the center.

A short example, line by line

Ch 16. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—15 sc. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn—15 sc. Rows 3–15: Rep Row 2. Fasten off.

Chain 16. In the first row, skip the chain nearest the hook, work a single crochet in each of the 15 remaining chains, and turn. You should have 15 stitches. In the second row, chain 1 (not counted), then work a single crochet in each stitch. Repeat that row 13 more times, then cut the yarn and pull it through the last loop. That is a complete pattern for a small square, and the same logic applies to any pattern, however long.

Before you start a real pattern

Pick a pattern labeled Basic, written in the terminology you know, from a designer who gives stitch counts. Our guide to choosing your first crochet project lists free beginner patterns from designers, and our beginner’s guide to crochet covers the stitches you will need.

Key facts

The Craft Yarn Council's 2018 Standards & Guidelines state that its crochet abbreviation definitions reflect US crochet terminology.Craft Yarn Council, Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting, 2018
In the Craft Yarn Council's 2018 standard, a single asterisk means repeat the instructions that follow it as directed, two asterisks enclose instructions repeated as many times as directed, and brackets [ ] or braces { } enclose instructions worked as many times as directed.Craft Yarn Council, Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting, 2018
The Craft Yarn Council's 2018 guidelines for pattern writers ask designers to give hook sizes in millimeters and US sizes and to provide stitch counts after every row or round that contains an increase or decrease.Craft Yarn Council, Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting, 2018
Lion Brand's 2026 guide defines gauge as the number of stitches and rows per inch the designer used to calculate the whole pattern, and explains that charts worked in rows are read from the bottom up.Lion Brand, Read Any Crochet Pattern in 5 Minutes, 2026

FAQ

What does the asterisk mean in a crochet pattern?

An asterisk marks the start of a sequence to repeat. You work the instructions after it, then the pattern tells you how to repeat them, for example "repeat from * across" or "repeat from * 4 more times". A double asterisk sometimes marks a second, shorter repeat point.

What do the numbers at the end of a row mean?

They are the stitch count: the number of stitches you should have once the row is finished, written for example as "(14 sc)" or "—14 sc". Count your stitches and compare; if the numbers differ, find the mistake before going on.

What does gauge mean in a crochet pattern?

Gauge is the number of stitches and rows the designer got over a set width, usually 4 inches, with the stated yarn and hook. If your swatch has more stitches than the gauge, use a larger hook; if it has fewer, use a smaller one.

How do I know if a pattern uses US or UK terms?

Look for a terminology note near the top. If the pattern mentions single crochet (sc), it uses US terms, since no UK stitch has that name. Half treble (htr) or the word tension instead of gauge point to UK terms.