Read a Crochet Pattern in Plain English (2026 Guide)

How to Read a Crochet Pattern in Plain English (Abbreviations, Repeats, and Brackets Made Easy)

Ever stared at a crochet pattern and thought, “This looks like a secret code”? You’re not alone. Written patterns pack a lot of info into a tiny space, so they rely on shorthand, symbols, and punctuation that can feel harsh at first.

The good news is a crochet pattern line is just a short sentence. Once you learn how that sentence is built, you can read almost any pattern without guessing. In this post, you’ll learn the most common US abbreviations, how repeats work (asterisks, “rep,” and “across”), what parentheses and brackets usually mean, and a quick method to rewrite any row in plain English.

One note before we start: designers have personal styles. Patterns may use slightly different symbols or wording, so always check the pattern’s key first.

Start Here: What a Crochet Pattern Line Is Really Saying

Photo by Anete Lusina

A written crochet line is usually made of three parts:

1. Setup (get you into position)
2. Action (what stitches to make, and where)
3. Check (a stitch count, or “join/turn” instructions)

Before you crochet a single stitch, scan the pattern like you’d scan a recipe.

Scan the “pattern rules” first

• US vs UK terms: This is the biggest reason stitches “look wrong.” If you ever need a quick translation, use this US to UK crochet term conversion guide.
• Abbreviation key: Many patterns define terms at the top. If you don’t see one, check a standard list like the Craft Yarn Council crochet abbreviations master list.
• Special stitches section: If the pattern says “Fpdc” or “puff” and you don’t know it, don’t power through. Find the special stitch instructions first.
• Rows or rounds: Rows usually say “Row 1, Row 2,” and include turn. Rounds often say “Rnd 1” and include join or “work in a spiral.”
• Stitch count at the end: If you see something like “(36 sts),” that’s your built-in error check.

The “pattern sentence” analogy (it helps more than you’d think)

Patterns use punctuation like road signs:

• Commas often mean “then do the next thing.”
• Semicolons often separate chunks (especially when repeats are involved).
• Periods usually end the instructions for that row or round.

So when you see a long line, don’t read it like a paragraph. Read it like a set of short, ordered actions.

Quick pattern checklist before you pick up your hook

• Terms: US or UK?
• Yarn weight and hook size: Are you using something close?
• Gauge note: If this is clothing or fitted items, gauge affects fit and size.
• Repeat markers: Where do you see *, [ ], or ( )?
• Stitch counts: Where does the pattern show counts, and how often?
• Finishing cues: Where does it tell you to join, turn, or fasten off?

If you want a printable reference you can keep with your project bag, download Christa’s crochet stitches cheat sheet.

Crochet Abbreviations in Plain English (Most Common US Terms)

Abbreviations exist for the same reason texting does: it’s faster. You don’t need to memorize every term on day one. You just need a way to translate them calmly.

Here’s a focused list of the most common US abbreviations you’ll see in patterns:

Designers may use small variations (like “tr” vs “trc,” or “yoh” instead of “yo”). Always trust the pattern’s key over any general list.

For a deeper reference list (including less common terms), the American Crochet Association abbreviations overview is handy to bookmark.

The abbreviations that confuse beginners most (and what to do about them)

Some terms cause trouble because they don’t describe a stitch, they describe a decision.

sk (skip): You still move past that stitch, you just don’t work into it.
Example phrase: “sk next st, sc in next st”
Plain English: Skip one stitch, then make a single crochet in the next stitch.

sp (space): You’re working into a gap, usually a chain space, not the top loops of a stitch.
Example phrase: “2 dc in ch-2 sp”
Plain English: Make two double crochets into the chain-2 gap.

tog (together): Two (or more) stitches are turned into one stitch. This is shaping.
Example phrase: “dc2tog”
Plain English: Work two double crochets together so they become one stitch.

inc / dec: Watch the stitch count after these.

• Increase usually means two stitches into one spot.
• Decrease usually means two stitches become one.

RS / WS: This matters for texture, stripes, front-post/back-post work, and shaping. If a pattern cares about sides, it will usually tell you when the RS is facing.

When in doubt, rewrite the line using full words. It slows you down in a good way.

Repeats Made Easy: Asterisks, “Rep,” Commas, and “Across”

Repeats are the pattern’s way of saying: “Do this same chunk again, because it creates the look.” Think of repeats like a chorus in a song.

The trick is to find the repeat chunk first, then figure out:

• Is there a setup before the repeat starts?
• Where does the repeat stop?
• How many times should it repeat?

Here’s what common repeat words mean:

• rep from *: Repeat the instructions after the asterisk.
• rep from * to *: Repeat the section between the two asterisks.
• across / to end: Keep repeating until you run out of stitches in the row.
• around: Keep repeating all the way around the round.
• to last 2 sts: Repeat until only two stitches remain, then do the finishing instructions.

For a symbol-by-symbol explanation with more examples, this guide from the American Crochet Association is useful: how to read a pattern with asterisks, brackets, and parentheses.

How to read the most common repeat styles (with simple translations)

Example 1: “Ch 1, *sc in next st, ch 1; rep from * across.”
Plain English:

• Chain 1.
• Repeat this chunk across the row: single crochet in the next stitch, then chain 1.

Example 2: “*dc in next 2 sts, ch 1; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts.”
Plain English:

• Repeat this chunk until two stitches remain: double crochet in the next two stitches, then chain 1.
• Finish the edge: double crochet in the last two stitches.

Example 3 (rounds): “*(sc, ch 2, sc) in next sp; rep from * around, join.”
Plain English:

• In each space around the circle, make: single crochet, chain 2, single crochet.
• Keep doing that in every space.
• Join at the end.

Notice what’s happening: you’re not memorizing, you’re labeling the parts.

Common repeat mistakes and quick fixes

These issues happen to everyone, even after years.

• Starting the repeat in the wrong place: Look for setup stitches before the first *.
• Missing the setup completely: Many rows start with something like “Ch 3 (counts as dc)” before repeats begin.
• Repeating one time too many (or too few): If the pattern gives a stitch count, trust it.
• Losing your place after a break: Your eyes jump back to the wrong comma.

Quick fixes that actually work:

• Count how many stitches are in one repeat, then count how many repeats fit in the row.
• Use stitch markers at the start of each repeat chunk.
• Lightly highlight the repeat section on paper (or in a PDF).
• Check stitch counts more often than feels necessary.

Brackets and Parentheses: What to Do When You See ( ) and [ ]

Parentheses and brackets look scary because they stack instructions. But they’re usually doing one of two jobs:

• Grouping stitches worked into one stitch or one space (often parentheses)
• Marking a section to repeat a set number of times (often brackets)

A simple rule: read what’s inside first, then apply what comes after it.

Also, designers aren’t robots. Some swap the roles of brackets and parentheses. If the pattern has a note like “repeat instructions between [ ]” then follow that.

Translate bracket and parenthesis patterns into a step list you can follow

Sample line 1: “(sc, ch 1, sc) in next ch-1 sp.”
Rewrite it:

1. Find the next chain-1 space.
2. Work a single crochet into that space.
3. Chain 1.
4. Work another single crochet into the same space.

Sample line 2: “[sk next st, sc in next st] 6 times.”
Rewrite it:

1. Skip the next stitch.
2. Single crochet in the next stitch.
3. Repeat steps 1 to 2 six times total.

Sample line 3 (both symbols plus a stitch count): “Ch 2, [dc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st] 4 times. (24 sts)”
Rewrite it:

1. Chain 2.
2. Repeat this bracket section 4 times:
   • Double crochet in the next stitch.
   • In the next stitch, work: double crochet, chain 1, double crochet.
3. At the end of the row, you should have 24 stitches.

That last piece, (24 sts), is gold. If you’re off by one, you’ll feel it in the next row, so it’s worth checking now.

If you like visual guides too, learning charts can make repeats and bracketed groups easier to see. This pairs well with written patterns: How to read crochet charts step by step.

Conclusion

Reading a crochet pattern in plain English comes down to a repeatable method: scan for terms and the stitch key, translate abbreviations as you go, find repeats before you start stitching, then decode ( ) and [ ] by reading inside first and checking stitch counts. If a line feels messy, rewrite it as spaced-out steps and mark repeat sections with stitch markers.

Do that, and the “secret code” starts to look like simple directions. If you’ve got a pattern line that still feels stuck, paste it into a comment and ask for a plain English translation.

FAQs 

How do you read a crochet pattern for beginners?

Start by checking if the pattern uses US or UK terms, then read the abbreviation key. Find the repeats (*, [ ], ( )) before you stitch. Work the setup, repeat the marked chunk as told, and check the stitch count at the end of the row.

What does “to last 2 sts” mean in a crochet pattern?

Keep repeating the pattern section until only 2 stitches remain, then follow the finishing instructions.

What’s the easiest way to understand a confusing crochet pattern line?

Rewrite it in full words as numbered steps. Mark repeat sections with stitch markers and count stitches after each row.

Why does my crochet look different than the pattern photo?

The pattern may use US vs UK terms, different yarn weight, different hook size, or a different gauge. Always check the pattern notes and abbreviation key first.

What does “rep from * across” mean in crochet?

Repeat the stitches after the asterisk, and keep repeating that same chunk until you reach the end of the row.

Christa is the creator of Secret Yarnery, where she teaches crochet in simple, step-by-step lessons. She focuses on helping beginners understand stitches, patterns, and finishing techniques without stress.