Intermediate Crocheter Mistakes: Pattern Reading Edition
Introduction
I have been crocheting for years, but it wasn’t until a few years ago when I started reading written patterns. I’ve gotten good at it and I feel confident I can read a written pattern, and yet, I still sometimes realize a few rows later that I have completely misread the pattern. (Can you hear me rolling my eyes right now?!)
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The Real Problem (It’s Not Skill)
It’s not a skill issue (believe it or not). Misreading patterns happens more than you think, to MANY of us. Sometimes our brains just want to get on with the pattern already! Misreading patterns usually happens because:
- We skim instead of actually reading the pattern
- We assume the pattern will be similar to others we’ve done
- We don’t read the entire section before starting
- We ignore stitch counts (not intentionally …usually)
- We miss repeats inside brackets or parentheses
- Our brains mix up the abbreviations when there are a lot in a pattern
RELATED: Tips On How To Read A Crochet Written Pattern
Practical Fixes
Here are a few strategies that you can start doing immediately:
Read the entire row out loud once before starting
This slows the brain down.
Highlight repeats and stitch counts
Especially for “shaping” sections of the pattern.
Circle final stitch counts
Check at the end of every row. I know it’s annoying, but if you want it done right, you won’t want to skip this step.
Rewrite complex rows in your own way
Especially lace or textured repeats, make some notes or rewrite the instructions in a way you understand and will be less likely to accidentally skip something important.
I recently did this with a mosaic crochet pattern I was following. The pattern had a terms section with a chart for all of the different stitch combinations and I had to rewrite that chart and keep it with me off to the side while working on the pattern so I could keep referencing it!
Pause and breathe before transitions (color changes, sleeve splits, increases)
Transitions are some of the easiest places to start misreading a pattern. So get up and stretch, or stop and read the next section before you move that hook again.
Summary
Misreading a pattern doesn’t say ANYTHING about you. It doesn’t mean you’re careless. It usually means you’re confident enough to move quickly through a pattern. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that not every pattern is something we can memorize or mindlessly crochet through; and that’s OK! Don’t let it lower your confidence and keep on the hook!
Need a walk-through of a written pattern? Check out this Beginner Crochet Pattern Walk-through I wrote a few posts back! It's full of explanations and tips to get through a written pattern and can be a good refresher for those of us that need to just slow down again!
Do you have any tips for reading crochet patterns? Let us know in the comments!
