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Symbol Crochet

Crochet symbols are a universal language that allow an alternative way of reading patterns.

THE SYMBOLS

In symbol crochet, each stitch is represented by a little picture or symbol.
  • Chain Symbol or Chain Symbol represents a chain (ch) -- and resembles a chain stitch.
  •  Single Crochet  represents a single crochet (sc).
  •  Half Double  represents a half double crochet (hdc).
  •  Double  represents a double crochet (dc).
  •  Treble  represents a treble crochet (tr).
  •  Slip Stitch  represents a slip stitch (sl st)—this symbol resembles the chain symbol, but is filled in.
  • 4 Treble Cluster represents a 4-treble crochet cluster (4-tr cl).
These are the basic symbols we will use in the Melody Mini Doily practice project.

Sometimes there is a special symbol for a group of stitches, such as a bobble or a popcorn; these symbols are given either with the pattern or are included in a stitch glossary.

A glossary of all symbols used in this article is below.

Browse Top 20 Crochet!

THE DIAGRAM

When symbols are arranged to form a "picture" of the work to be done, it is called a diagram. The diagram looks quite similar to the finished crocheted piece and shows at a glance just how it is constructed.
Symbol Crochet
Symbol Crochet
On circular designs, such as doilies, the diagram is followed starting at the center, working from right to left (counterclockwise) if you are right-handed and from left to right (clockwise) if you are left-handed.

The number 6 in the center of the ring shows the number of chains needed to start; the symbol for slip stitch indicates joining in a ring. The number of the round is indicated at beginning of the round.

This mini doily practice piece will let you practice following the symbols and show how a diagram is made.

MELODY MINI DOILY

MATERIALS

Size 10 crochet cotton
Size 7/1.65mm steel crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

GAUGE

9 tr = 1 inch

PATTERN NOTES

Below, you will find the symbols that tell you what to work for each row. Below each illustration, the instructions for the symbol diagrams are written out in words. First try to work from the symbols, then check your work against the words.
Symbol Crochet
Ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring.
Symbol Crochet
Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as first tr), 23 tr in ring, join with sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-4. (24 tr)
Symbol Crochet
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same ch as joining, ch 5, *sk next tr, sc in next tr, ch 5, rep from * 10 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (12 ch-5 sps)
Symbol Crochet
Rnd 3: Sl st in each of next 3 chs, ch 1, sc in same ch as last sl st, ch 5, [sc in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 5] 11 times, join with sl st in beg sc.
Symbol Crochet
Rnd 4: Ch 4, keeping last lp of each tr on hook, 3 tr in same sc, yo and pull through all 4 lps on hook (beg cl), ch 2, tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, keeping last lp of each tr on hook, 4 tr in next sc, yo and pull through all lps on hook (cl), ch 2, *tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, cl in next sc, ch 2, rep from * 9 times, tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg cl.
Symbol Crochet
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in top of same beg cl, *ch 3, sc in next tr, ch 3, sc in top of next cl, rep from * 10 times, ch 3, sc in next tr, ch 3, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 ch-3 sps)
Symbol Crochet
Rnd 6: Sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in same ch sp and in each ch-3 sp around, join with sl st in beg sc. Fasten off. Secure ends.

SYMBOL GLOSSARY

Symbol
Chain
U.S.
chain (ch)
U.K.
chain
Français
maille en l´air
Español
cadeneta (cad)
Deutsch
Luftmasche (Lftn)
Italiano
punto catenella
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
Crochet
U.S.
single crochet (sc)
U.K.
double crochet (dc)
Français
maille serree
Español
punto bajo (pb)
Deutsch
Feste Masche (fM)
Italiano
maglia bassa (m. bassa)
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
Double
U.S.
double crochet (dc)
U.K.
treble (tr)
Français
bride (br)
Español
punto alto doble (pad)
Deutsch
Stäbchen (Stb)
Italiano
maglia alta (m. alta)
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
Half Double
U.S.
half double crochet (hdc)
U.K.
half treble (htr)
Français
demi-bride (demi-br)
Español
punto alto (pa)
Deutsch
Halbe Stäbchen (h.Stb)
Italiano
mexxa maglia alta
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
Treble
U.S.
treble crochet (tr)
U.K.
double treble (dtr)
Français
doulble bride (d-br)
Español
punto alto triple (pat)
Deutsch
Doppel-Stäbchen (D.Stb)
Italiano
maglia ltissima
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
Slip Stitch
U.S.
slip stitch (sl st)
U.K.
slip stitch (sl st)
Français
maille coulee
Español
punto enano (pe)
Deutsch
Kettmasche
Italiano
maglia bassissima
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
picot
U.S.
picot
U.K.
picot
Français
picot (pi)
Español
piquito
Deutsch
Pilot (Pi)
Italiano
Pippiolino
Symbol Crochet
Symbol
Cluster
U.S.
cluster (cl)
U.K.
cluster (CL)
Français
grappe
Español
puntos altos cerrados
en el mismo punto
Deutsch
Büschelmasche
Italiano
maglia raggruppata
Symbol Crochet
Learn Crochet
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