Crochet: Pattern Reading

Introduction

This is the beginning of a series of articles on how to read Crochet patterns. The target audience is someone who has learned the basic stitches of Crochet, and would like to venture further into the world of Crochet. Quite often, you will pass by a magazine display in a store, and see magazines with crochet patterns in them. The patterns are, of course, designed to catch your eye. But when you open the magazine, you might experience a bit of shock, because the patterns are loaded with terms and abbreviations that are new to you. By following along in this series of articles, you will get exposed to several different patterns, from very easy to somewhat complex, and from new to old. And you will learn how to get them to mean something to you.

The source of patterns for this series includes: The Bernat website, containing several free patterns (you have to register to get access to them). The pattern reading articles will discuss the following: Preemie hat (very easy: simple stitches, square shape) Woman's Deep V Top (a bit harder: simple stitches, complex shaping for neck/arm/sleeve) Baby Afghan (a bit harder: complex stitches, mostly square shape) Bib and Booties (harder: complex stitches, complex shaping) Patterns from my personal library of Crochet books and magazines going back to the 1940's. (Don't worry about the picture quality below - when we get into more detail, I'lll increase the resolution of the pics.) From the January, 1948, issue of Workbasket Magazine: a crocheted edging From the Spring/Summer, 1952, issue of McCalls Needlework magazine: a potholder

The topics that will be discussed are: The Pictures, and what you can learn from them. The Gauge Specifications on a pattern or ball of yarn, and what it means to you. The Pattern Header Information, the key information before the beginning chain. The instructions The Preemie Hat - Part 1 The Preemie Hat - Part 2 The Woman's Deep V Top - Part 1 (Back Ribbing) (to be continued) The Baby Afghan - Part 1 (Gauge Notes, Foundation Row) The Baby Afghan - Part 2 (Rows 1 and 2) The Baby Afghan - Part 3 (Border Round 1) The Baby Afghan - Part 4 (Border Round 2)

If you have any pattern reading questions, please email Crocus Needle Arts School. I will answer your questions (if I can!), and add the information to this series of articles - a win-win for you, me, and others.