Having mastered crocheting, craftswomen with pleasure begin to realize their creative fantasies. There are many different drawings - you just have to choose and start working. So that they do not cause difficulties, you need to learn how to read crochet patterns. Then even a beginner needlewoman will cope with the most intricate openwork.
Crocheting with a description of a foreign language model can be especially difficult. But the legend in most cases is standard. And, understanding their meaning, it is quite easy to cope with the pattern.
Rectangle diagram
Patterns are rectangular and circular, they are separated in the direction of knitting, which is indicated by an arrow. They read the picture from the lower right corner, it is from there that the first row begins. Odd rows go from right to left, and even rows go vice versa.
It turns out that the product is knitted with a snake. The work must be deployed in front of each new row and perform several air loops for lifting, sometimes they are not indicated on the diagrams. The rotation is also not shown, so it is just assumed.
Circular pattern
How to read crochet patterns if they are round? This is done from the middle to the edges and counterclockwise. The first row, as the basis, usually consists of single crochet posts. The end of the row is closed with a connecting column, and the next row begins with lifting loops. If spiral knitting is provided, then they are not made.
To begin work on the first row, a chain of air loops is knitted and locked in a circle with the help of a half-column. The required quantity is indicated by a number in the very center of the circuit. If this is not indicated, we knit on the eye, usually 6-8 loops are required.
Amiguri Ring
Instead of a circle from a chain, you can make a sliding loop, then there will be no free space in the center, this is necessary for knitted small toys or motifs. It is also called the ring amigurs. In diagrams, usually Japanese, it is designated as a circle inside which is a hieroglyph.
So the algorithm is simple:
- We make a ring from the thread, for this we wind it on two fingers and holding it so that it does not open, remove it.
- We grab the main thread and pull the loop.
- We make a half-column - we fix the beginning of the row.
- We knit the first row, and, pulling the free tail, tighten the sliding loop.
Air loop
The standard symbols for crocheting are presented in the table:
The first basic element, which is designated as an oval or circle, is an air loop. Usually it is not painted over in the center, but sometimes it is depicted on the diagrams as a bold black dot.
Accordingly, a chain of loops looks like a series of ovals, in complex schemes it is denoted by an arch. The number in the center means the number of loops.
Half-column
The element is mainly used to connect parts or end a row. It is also called a connecting or dull column. Knowing what it is used for, determining it in the diagram is very simple. In the drawings, it is depicted as a small semicircle or dot; it still occurs as a small horizontal stroke or an inverted triangle. Sometimes it is shown as a “+” sign.
Single crochet
Let's start with the simplest tricks to master needlework. Crocheting a fabric or a complex pattern involves the use of a single crochet. In the diagrams, he is depicted as a “+”, a vertical bar or “x”.
One of their simple tricks actually has several options, depending on how the hook is inserted into the previous row: the thread is picked up through the front or back half-loop. It is designated as "x" and a semicircle, at the base curved, respectively, up or down.
More complicated methods for knitting a crochet without a characteristic defining signs and are explained in the description.
Double crochet
This crochet technique is performed as a double crochet, requiring the simultaneous knitting of three loops on the hook. This element in the diagrams looks like the letter "T".
Double crochet
Depending on the number of crochets, the column may be of different heights. In the diagrams, it looks like a vertically arranged line, and the number of required double crochets is shown horizontally or tilted by strokes.
Knowing how to read crochet patterns, you can master the embossed patterns. In them, double crochets are convex or concave. Facial (convex) is performed with picking up the thread under the lower column, so that the column of the lower row is located above the hook. For the back (concave) columns, it is necessary that it is under it. Graphically designated as a double crochet, but below with a semicircle, rotated, respectively, to the right or left side.
Unfinished double crochet
Let's move on to more complicated tricks that are based on previous simple elements. Unfinished double crochet columns are required not only for complex patterns, but also to reduce loops.
In the diagrams, they are indicated as several double crocheted columns (the quantity depends on the need) connected at the top.
Lush column
Embossed patterns look spectacular. how read crochet patterns, if there is a desire to master them, we will consider in more detail. Often in such drawings there is a designation in the form of a drop. This is a magnificent column, which can be done in two ways:
- Make a yarn and pull the working thread to the required length, leaving three loops on the hook, repeat two more times. Then the thread is pulled through all the loops, then the lush column is closed by knitting one loop.
- Make five unfinished columns from one loop, then close all the loops at the same time.
Kulechek
This interesting element is performed with all its apparent complexity is quite simple. You should knit five columns with a crochet from one loop, and then stretch the thread through the loops of the first and last column. Thus, a hole in the middle is obtained. The name "corn" is also found.
Pico of three air loops
Surely needlewomen are interested in how to read crochet patterns of aerial patterns and edge trims, in which there is an image of a small drop, pointed at the bottom. This common technique is called pico, done in the following way: single crochet, then three air loops, and in the same loop of the previous row, perform another single crochet.
Tunisian knitting
A special technique involves working only on the front side, a method of looping. In diagrams, it looks like a vertical line, above which there is a wavy line. A hook with a long handle is required, at the end of which a hat is provided so that the loops do not come down.
Tunisian crochet just learning how to do:
- Through the first loop, the thread is pulled and, leaving it on the hook, the loops of the entire row are thus gathered.
- Now the row should be closed: pull the working thread through the first loop, and then through the next two. Knitting loops in pairs, they reach the end of the row.
- The next row again needs to dial the loop. The hook is inserted under the extended loops of the previous row and new loops are pulled.
- The last row must be tied with connecting posts so that the edge of the canvas holds its shape.
The knitwear is tight, it practically does not stretch and is great for skirts or coats.
Learning to understand crochet conventions and doing them best in practice. You should start with the simplest drawings, practicing the skills to perform various elements on them.