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Crochet chart symbols: read the key and count stitches

Start at the chart’s row or round marker. Read the symbol key, find where each stitch goes, and count the stitch symbols separately from the chain spaces.

The chart symbols, drawn

  • chchain
  • sl stslip stitch
  • scsingle crochet
  • hdchalf double crochet
  • dcdouble crochet
  • trtreble crochet
  • dtrdouble treble crochet
  • sc2togtwo single crochets joined
  • sc3togthree single crochets joined
  • dc2togtwo double crochets joined
  • dc3togthree double crochets joined
  • 3-dc cl3-dc cluster in one stitch
  • puff3-hdc cluster, puff or bobble
  • pc5-dc popcorn
  • shell5-dc shell
  • picotch-3 picot
  • incincrease: 2 sc in one stitch
  • ringadjustable (magic) ring

Drawn for this site after the standard symbols named by the Craft Yarn Council. Single crochet appears as either a cross or a plus. Post stitches add a hook at the foot of the symbol, and an arc at the foot means “work into one loop only”; check the pattern’s key for which side.

Crochet stitches chart: heights side by side

sl stno chainsc1 chhdc2 chdc3 chtr4 chdtr5 ch
Each stitch drawn at its usual height in chains (the gold ovals). The turning chain at the start of a row normally matches that height: 1 for single crochet, 2 for half double, 3 for double and 4 for treble, but a pattern can choose differently.
7 foundation chains and 6 single crochets; the arrow shows the working direction.
7 foundation chains and 6 single crochets; the arrow shows the working direction.

Recognize the basic shapes

Recognize the basic shapes
ShapeUS stitchHow to read it
OvalChainA chain is separate from the active loop.
Small filled dotSlip stitchOften marks a join or travel step.
Cross or plusSingle crochetOne worked stitch at its base.
T without a slashHalf double crochetUse the height and the key together.
T with one slashDouble crochetOne yarn over before insertion.
T with two slashesTreble crochetTwo yarn overs before insertion.

Read an example

The drawing shows 7 foundation chains, then 6 single crochets worked into the second chain and onward. Read the first worked row from the arrow. The skipped foundation chain is an edge allowance, not a seventh single crochet.

When several symbols share one base, they enter the same stitch or space. When their tops meet, the pattern may close unfinished stitches together. Confirm that group in the special-stitch key rather than guessing from its outline.

Follow rows and rounds differently

A flat-row chart changes direction after a turn. A round chart is read around its center from the round start. A left-handed working view reverses the movement without changing the symbols’ stitch counts.

These drawings are made for this site. They are not copied Craft Yarn Council artwork. Use the written instructions whenever a small chart would make the insertion points unclear.

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