The Crochet Handbook: Learn what Equipment you need to Crochet, The Basics of Crochet, How to Read Written Patterns, Graphs, Charts and Diagrams, and More (5 page)

In the next example you will see a chart for a simple ripple pattern. Compare the chart to the actual sample of crocheted fabric.

Chart

Crocheted Fabric

Pattern Repeats in Charts

If you look at the previous example of the ripple pattern you will see a section of the chart is marked as a pattern repeat. Designers use pattern repeats in charts just like they do in written patterns. Instead of showing the entire row, pattern repeats are used to make charts easier to read.

When you see a pattern repeat in a chart, treat is just like one in a written pattern. Begin at the point where the repeat starts and work to the where the repeat ends. Now go back to the beginning of the repeat on the chart and work to the end of the repeat again as many times as specified.

If the pattern for the chart was written out it would look like this:

Ch sets of 10 plus 4

Row 1: dc into the 4
th
ch from the hook *dc into the next 3 sts, dc3tog, dc into the next 3 sts, 3dc into the next st* rep to last st, 2dc into the last st, turn

Row 2: ch3, dc into the 1st st *dc into the next 3 sts, dc3tog, dc into the next 3 sts, 3dc into the next st* rep to last st, 2dc into the last st, turn

Repeat Row 2 until desired length.

Remember to read the odd rows from the right to the left, and the even rows from the left to the right. Always start at the bottom right hand corner and work your way up a chart.

Crochet graphs are used in colorwork, Intarsia, and Fillet crochet. They are also visual representations of crochet patterns. Like charts you begin in the bottom right corner and read the odd rows from right to left, and the even rows from left to right working your way up the chart.

Each square in a graph represents either one stitch or a set of stitches depending on the type of project you are working on. If you are working an Intarsia chart each square in the graph represents either a single or a double crochet stitch in the specified color on the graph. In Fillet crochet each square represents either a filled square of 3 double crochet stitches, or an open square of 1 double crochet and 2 chain stitches. Another example of a technique using a chart is Corner 2 Corner. Each square represents a set of stitches used in Corner 2 Corner in the color specified on the chart.

The same chart can usually be used for multiple types of techniques. Here is an example of a simple heart graph.