Reading Instructions

Crochet patterns can feel like a different language at first, but once you understand how to read them, they become much easier to follow. Two of the most important tools you’ll encounter are parentheses and asterisks. These symbols help you keep track of stitch sequences and repeated sections, making complex patterns easier to manage.

How It Works

🔄 Parentheses ( ) Group Stitches Together: When you see instructions inside parentheses, it means that the entire group of stitches within them will be worked into the same stitch or space. This simplifies instructions, especially when several actions need to happen in one place.

Example

(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc)

Here’s how it works:

• 2 dc: Make 2 double crochets in the next stitch.
• Ch 1: Chain 1.
• 2 dc: In the same stitch, make another 2 double crochets.

Everything inside the parentheses is done in one stitch, creating a cluster. You may encounter this instruction several times, and using parentheses keeps the directions concise.

💡 Always complete everything inside the parentheses before moving to the next part of the pattern.

✳️ Asterisks (*) Mark Repeated Sections: An asterisk tells you where a repeated section begins. When you see asterisks in a pattern, it means you’ll need to repeat the stitches between the asterisks until the pattern tells you to stop.

Example

*Row 2: Ch 4, 2 dc in next st, ch 1, 2 dc in next st, rep from * across.

Here’s what this means:

• Ch 4: Chain 4 stitches.
• 2 dc in next st: Make 2 double crochets in the next stitch.
• Ch 1: Chain 1 stitch.
• 2 dc in next st: Make another 2 double crochets in the next stitch.

Then, rep from * across means you repeat everything after the asterisk (Ch 4, 2 dc, Ch 1, 2 dc) across the row or round until the end of the row or as instructed.

⭕ Combining Parentheses and Asterisks: In more complex patterns, parentheses and asterisks are used together to create repeated stitch sequences that occur within a row or round. This allows you to repeat entire groups of stitches multiple times, saving space and simplifying the pattern.

Example

(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) rep from * to end, sl st to join.

Here’s how to follow this:

• (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc): Work this entire sequence inside one stitch.
• Rep from * to end: Repeat the sequence (inside the parentheses) in each stitch across the row or round.
• Sl st to join: Join the last stitch with a slip stitch to complete the row or round.

This combination of parentheses and asterisks is common in patterns that involve clusters, shells, or intricate stitch work where a group of stitches is repeated across multiple stitches or spaces.

Additional Tips

🧶 Watch for Double Asterisks: Some patterns use double asterisks (**), indicating a second-level repeat. This usually highlights a smaller section within a larger repeat. Pay close attention to where these repeats start and end.

📏 Mark Your Place: When working with long or complex repeats, use stitch markers or highlight your place in the pattern to avoid confusion. This is especially helpful for counting rows or tracking your progress.

Practice Exercise

Here’s a sample pattern using both parentheses and asterisks. Use some leftover yarn from previous projects to practice:

Pattern

Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, rep from * across the row.

• Ch 3: Chain 3 stitches.
• (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st: Work 2 double crochets, chain 2, and then 2 more double crochets in the same stitch.
• Rep from * across the row: Repeat the entire sequence (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each stitch across the row.