I’m going to focus on reading patterns, and abbreviations that can make instructions confusing.
By combining double crochet and the chain stitch, a graph or picture can be crocheted.
The grid above shows a double crochet into the stitch below, followed by a chain stitch (and skip the next stitch below). A double crochet into the empty space fills in the grid.
In this project we follow a pattern – using either the graph and/or the written pattern. I like the graph patterns because they can be interpreted without language – much like sheet music
If we are uncertain of one, we can check the other to be sure. To expand this basic pattern into multiples, you will need to do a little math. The pattern consists of double crochet stitches and chains.
Each Light Square = Dc, ch 1
Each Dark Square= 2 dc
18 stitches = 1 row
9 Rows
The abbreviation for stitch is St
Example: Dc in next st
The abbreviation for space is Sp
Example: Dc in next sp.
The abbreviation for skip is sk.
Example: Sk next st. Dc in next st.
Right Hand Instructions on Video
Here is the video for left hand crochet.
This is the same basic patter written out as a pattern.
Ch 22 or a multiple of 18 + 4 (for first dc and ch 1) to achieve width desired.
Row 1: Work dc in 5th ch from hook. * ch 1, sk ch below, dc in next ch* all the way across 8 times. Note: Repeat from * to * for each multiple of 18. Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), turn.
Row 2: Sk first sp, *dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next sp,* 3 times. Dc in next three stitches. *Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc* 3 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4 turn.
Row 3: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next space, dc in next dc* twice. Work dc in next six stitches (7 dc). Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc 2 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 4: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc in next 11 stitches. Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in third chain of chain 4. two more times. Ch 4, turn.
Row 5: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, Dc in next six stitches (7 dc). Ch 1, sk next st. Dc in next seven stitches. Ch 1, sk next st. Dc in third ch of ch 4.Ch 4 turn.
Row 6: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc in next 11 stitches. Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc. Ch 1. Dc in third chain of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 7: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc 7 stitches. *Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc* twice. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 8: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next space, dc in next dc 3 times. Dc in next 2 st (3 dc). Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc 3 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 9: Sk next stitch, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next stitch, dc in next dc all the way across (8 times) with final dc in third ch of ch 4.Finish off.
