Crochet Chart patterns use symbol charts to show the working method in visual form that give you a better idea about the way stitches are organized in pattern. Text and charts can complement each other.

Symbol charts offer a number of advantages over text alone:
- The shape of the finished item
- the types of stitches used
-  the relationship of stitches to each other

Usually patterns charts are presented in two or more colors for alternate rows or rounds to make better understanding in which row every stitch is worked.

Crochet charts are written using a standard symbols listed here.


How to Read Crochet Charts in Rounds

- A project begins with a center ring.

- The first row is then worked around that center ring.

- Read the circular charts counter-clockwise

- When you work all the way around a shape you will have worked one round.

- When you crocheting in rounds you don't need to turn the work at the end of the row. Each round is a row worked until it meets itself, going around in continual circles.

- When working in the round, the right side of the fabric is always facing you.

- When working in single crochet, it is necessary to note where the round begins and ends to keep track of rows worked.

- When working in half double crochet, double crochet or treble crochet, the chain at the beginning of the row creates a seam stitch, so using a marker is not necessary.

- You can work many shapes in rounds: squares, circles, hexagons, octagons, stars. The shapes are formed by the way the increases are worked.

- You can work several shapes and join them together to form something else like my granny square felted bag.

- Some shapes which you crochet in rounds will be designed to lay flat, like doilies or afghans. Others are designed to have 3 dimensional shape - like hats and toys.

- The two most frequently used methods are making a ring of chain stitches or working a round of stitches into one chain stitch, See How to Crochet in Rounds Step-by-Step.



FOLLOW DESCRIPTION TO CROCHET CHART IN ROUNDS:

- There are 3 rounds in this pattern and 3 kinds of stitches are used to form the square: chain stitch, single crochet and doble crochet (See Crochet stitches & Symbols page for more info).

Round 1 (first black round color):
Crochet 1 chain for height (count that as the first single crochet), 3 single crochet into ring,
*chain 3, 3 single crochet into ring; repeat from* two more times;
join with double crochet to first single crochet.

Round 2 (green round color):
[Crochet 3 chains for height to start the round (count that as the last double crochet in a group), 2 double crochet together into space made by joining double crochet, (chain 3, 3 double crochet together into same space)  two times] into space made by joining dc
*[3 double crochet together, (chain 3, 3 double crochet together) two times] into next chain-3 space; repeat from* two more times, join with slip st to first cluster

Round 3 (second black round color):
Crochet 1 chain for height to start the round, single crochet in same stitch
*3 single crochet in next ch-3 space, single crochet in next stitch, Picot-3 (ch 3, slip stitch in third chain from hook), 3 single crochet in next ch-3 space, single crochet in next 2 stitches; repeat from * around, omiting last single crochet, join to first single crochet. Fasten off.




How to Read Crochet Charts in Rows

- A project begins with a foundation chain.

- Start to read pattern from the bottom of the chart and move upward while crocheting in rows.

- When pattern is worked in rows, right-side rows are worked from right to left; wrong-side rows go from left to right.

- A row number usually shows where the row begins. As you run the work, follow the odd rows from right to left. Follow the even rows from left to right.


- You work "back and forth" (see direction of arrows for each row on the chart) and turn at the end of the row to get you up to the next one. You alternate from right side to wrong side with each row.

-When you crochet rows, you need to turn your work, make your turning chain, and start back across the row.

- At the end of each row, you crochet a turning chain depending on the height of the next row of stitches.
Each basic stitch has a certain number of turning chains which raise the row to the correct level for the stitches in that row.
If the next row will be single crochet, 1 chain for turning chain.
Half double crochet: 2 chains for turning chain.
Double crochet: 3 chains for turning chain.
Treble crochet, 4 chains for turning chain; etc.


FOLLOW DESCRIPTION TO CROCHET CHART IN ROWS:


- There are 5 rows in this pattern and 3 kinds of stitches are used to form the square: chain stitch, single crochet and double crochet (See Crochet stitches & Symbols page for more info).

Row 1 (first black row color):
Work 1 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, 1 single crochet in next 2 chains, *chains 3, skip 3 chains, 1 single crochet in next 3 chains; repeat from * across. Turn.

Row 2 (first green row color):
Chain 1, 1 single crochet in first 2 single crochet, *skip 1 single crochet, 5 double crochet in chain-3 space, skip 1 single crochet, 1 single crochet in next single crochet; repeat from * end 1 single crochet in last single crochet. Turn.

Row 3 (second black row color):
Chain 4 (counts as 1 single crochet and chain 3), skip (2 single crochet, 1 double crochet), 1 single crochet in next 3 double crochet, *chain 3, skip (1 double crochet, 1 single crochet, 1 double crochet), 1 single crochet in next 3 double crochet; repeat from * to last 4 sts, end chain 3, skip (1 double crochet, 1 single crochet), 1 single crochet in last single crochet. Turn.

Row 4 (second green row color):
Ch 3 (counts as 1 double crochet), 3 double crochet in first chain-3 space, *skip 1 single crochet, 1 single crochet in next single crochet, skip 1 single crochet, 5 double crochet in chain-3 space; repeat from *, end last repeat 4 double crochet in last chain-3 space. Turn.

Row 5 (third black row color):
Ch 1, 1 single crochet in first 3 double crochet, *ch 3, skip (1 double crochet, 1 single crochet, 1 double crochet), 1 single crochet in next 3 double crochet; repeat from * across. Turn.

Repeat rows 2–5.