About Crochet Symbol Charts

Crochet symbol charts are a diagram of a crochet pattern design looking at the design from the front, or right side, of the finished item. The stitch symbols are drawn as the stitches will look when looking at the design from the front.

When working on items that are worked in rows, and require you to turn your work as you go, this can become somewhat confusing.
For example, a stitch that is worked into either the front or back loops will be shown on a chart as either for a stitch worked into the front loop, or for a stitch worked into the back loop.

When working on the row from the right side (front), the diagram is easy enough to follow, but when you turn your work and are working on a row from the wrong side (back), remember the stitches are shown on the diagram how they look when looking at the item from the front, so a stitch shown as being worked into the front loop on the right side of the fabric will actually be worked into the back loop when working on the row from the wrong side.

So in the above chart, row 1 is worked with the right side (front) facing you, 1 sc in each ch, ch 1 turn.

Row 2 is worked with the wrong side (back) facing you. The chart shows the stitches as they would look from the front, worked into the front loop, but because you are now working from the wrong side (back) you would actually work these stitches into what would be the back loop when looking at the work from the wrong side (back).

When you turn your work for Row 3 and will again be working with the right side (front) facing you, you will see that the stitches in the previous row are in fact in the front loops as shown in the diagram. Row 3 is then worked into the front loops as you are now working from the right side (front).

Row 4 is worked with the wrong side (back) facing you. The chart shows the stitches as they would look from the front, worked into the back loop, but because you are now working from the wrong side (back) you would actually work these stitches into what would be the front loop when looking at the work from from the wrong side (back).

When you turn your work for Row 5 and will again be working with the right side (front) facing you, you will see that the stitches in the previous row are in fact in the back loops as shown in the diagram. Row 5 is then worked into the back loops as you are now working from the right side (front).

The same applies to stitches like the front post and back post stitches.

In the above chart, row 1 is worked with the right side (front) facing you, chain 3 (counts as first dc of this row), 1 dc in each ch, ch 3 turn (counts as first dc of next row).

Row 2 is worked with the wrong side (back) facing you. The chart shows the stitches as they would look from the front, worked into the front post, but because you are now working from the wrong side (back) you would actually work these stitches into what would be the back post when looking at the work from the wrong side (back).

When you turn your work for Row 3 and will again be working with the right side (front) facing you, you will see that the stitches in the previous row are in fact in the front posts as shown in the diagram. Row 3 is then worked into the front posts as you are now working from the right side (front).

Row 4 is worked the same as Row 2.

Crochet Symbol Charts are usually drawn with each alternating row/round in a different colour to make it easier to see each individual row/round and make it easier to read the chart.

The 'Start Here' arrow indicates where to start working from, and the
'Finish Here' arrow indicates where to finish off.

Directional Arrows indicate in which direction you will be working for each row.