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Today, let's discuss how to read a crochet pattern.
When I was a kid, my mom taught me to crochet a granny square blanket. I tried on a scarf and it was a wonky disaster, lol. When I was older, I took what my mom had taught me and ran with it. I began learning and teaching myself lots of different patterns and stitches, and my favourite thing to make was baby hats. Prior to the birth of my youngest daughter, I made over 20 newborn baby hats in the month before she was born and donated them to the local hospital for the new babies being born that month. They were so sweet, stripes, some knitted, more crocheted, with all different colours and styles. The sky is the limit with hats. If you can imagine it, you can create it.
For this post, we're going to look at this free bag pattern from Yarnspirations. Its cute and simple to do. The most complicated part is around the top of the bag, before making the handles.
Below is the pattern, but please, go to the site and download it yourself, if you'd like to make it. It doesn't require an email, just click the link and save it.
On this pattern, the bottom left of the first page is where they've listed their recommended yarn, and any other materials they recommend you have available. This is usually placed at the top of the page, but they've made this one landscape, and included a nice big picture of the item you're making, with great detail, so you can have a good idea of what its supposed to look like when you're making it. Then on the right, they list what should be many abbreviations used in the pattern, but this pattern lists a lot, but only uses a few. This is great because it makes it great for new crocheters or if you want to practice your stitches. Most patterns will include finished measurements for your item, and gauge. For more about gauge, check out this post.
So, in the instructions section, to start, the pattern says ch 31, which means chain 31 stitches. Then our first round starts by making a single crochet in the second chain from your hook, and and single crochet into each chain, at the end of the row, it says to work 3 sc into the last chain, then work along the other side of the foundation chain. Finally finishing the row with 2 more single crochet in the last chain, and slip stitch to the first chain.
Follow Rounds 2 & 3, and at the end of the 3rd round, the pattern says to place a marker, and begin working in a spiral, no more joining at the end of the row. Round 4 and several more, the pattern says to sc in each stitch until you reach 2" from the marker.
Round 5 is an increase, so on each end you make 2 single crochet into one stitch.
Continue to follow the pattern, including the shaped part of the top of the sides, where the pattern says to bind off, at the end of each row. For more information about the pattern itself, watch my YouTube tutorial where I walk you through the full pattern.
Comment below any questions you have about reading a pattern. In the video above, I talk about special stitches that often have a description included at the top of their pattern. And really, once you get the hang of a simple pattern like this one, you'll be flying through all kinds of patterns creating beautiful items.
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