As experienced home crocheters are well aware, stitch diagrams are like a road map of the pattern, laying out each individual stitch in relation to the others so you get to the big picture quicker and more efficiently.
Some advantages of stitch diagrams are that you can see the number and placement of the other stitches at a glance as well as being able to see what the design should look like so that if your creation doesn't resemble the diagram, you can easily find your mistake(s).
It is possible to highlight or outline the repeated pattern in each row to make it easier to follow and last but not least, you can mark where you leave off when you put your work down, so you know where to begin the next time you start to crochet.
Anyone can read them, not matter what language they speak.
The International Crochet Symbols are universal.
This simply means that instead of writing the stitches used in the pattern, the stitches are symbolized by symbols.
Learn the international crochet symbols and you can do these charts like a pro in no time flat! Just keep in mind that there may be slight variations in different publications.
Each symbol roughly resembles the shape and proportions of the stitch that it represents.
The number of tick marks drawn diagonally across the middle of the symbols indicates the number of times that you yarn over at the beginning of the stitch.
A few stitch diagram basics include being aware that each row in a diagram is numbered so that you know where to begin.
(Please note that if you are working this pattern in rounds, the numeral in the center of the beginning ring indicates the number of chain stitches in the center ring.
) A diagram may only show a repeated set of stitches a few times.
But those few repeats are all you need to crochet the entire piece.
When working in rows, the right side row number is placed on the right hand side of the diagram, which means you work from the right side to the left side.
On wrong side rows, the number is on the left hand side, so you follow the diagram from left to right.
When working in rounds, you read the diagram counter clockwise, without turning between rows unless the instructions specifically instruct you to do so.
If you are a left-handed home crocheter, try reversing the direction of the pattern and work from left to right instead of right to left.
To work in rounds, a lefty still follows the pattern counter clockwise, but works the piece clockwise, thus reversing the direction of the pattern.
Now, whether we like to think this way or not, home crocheting is somewhat three-dimensional; the two-dimensional diagram has some limitations.
So if a pattern also has written instructions, you want to check those out as well.
Always remember that the pattern will tell you how many rows to make to get the exact result the pattern shows, so don't get discouraged too soon! Some experienced home crocheters are scared of these diagrams, only due to the fact that they fail to understand how to read them.
However, following the advice I have given you here, they are easy to read.
Practice a bit, and then try to work from a diagram.
You will be surprised at your confidence and level of expertise! Are you able to read the International Crochet symbols?