So you cant read, huh?

I don't ever mind making things for my family and friends, but I sometimes get bogged down with projects. No one ever wants a simple hat they always have to have some complex design that is going to take me weeks or even months to complete. Lets face is I don't have the time or the patients to make a blanket on a dead line no matter how simple the pattern is! I woke the other day to see that my Mom had sent me an email of a cool scarf she had seen. She even provided a link to the pattern. Hint much, Mom? lol I agreed to make it for her. I bought all the supplies yesterday and spent most of the day ciphering the most poorly written pattern I have ever paid for. I cannot get over how awful it is! The charts and written instructions are completely different from one another. I now have to figure out how to piece this whole thing together because I promised I would make her this scarf. I've been starting at the pattern all morning trying to figure out why it says to slip stitch when the picture of the product is clearly done in double crochet!!! I'll figure it out I always do.  SO, here I am angry at this pattern, and I get a text from my mom. Now my sister would like one too. Both my mother and sister know how to crochet, so I ask why she cant make one for her self. Simple answer, we cannot read a pattern. WHAT! Who cant read!?! I am going to break it down and explain how to read a pattern over this post. This is going to be a simple explanation of the basics.
 This is for you, Mom. :)

Pattern reading 101:

• Skill Level √

• Yarn type/weight √

• Basic Stitches√

• Chaining and how to count a Chain√

Skill Level:

Most patterns will tell you what level of skill you need to complete a project. Now skill level is tricky! There is no industry standard for level of skill. I always read through the list of stitches required to complete a project and decide if it is something I know already. If the main stitch is single crochet and it only has a few increases or decreases I would consider it to be Easy. It never hurts to challenge the mind, though. I do sometimes take on patterns I know will have me upset before I can complete them.

Yarn Type/Weight:

All patterns have a list of the yarn and yardage they used. Included is also the weight. You can substitute a yarn of similar likeness.

 Example: If the pattern says:

 Use 2 skein of Simply Soft in blue (315 yds) Medium/Worsted weight. 

 I know I can use any Worsted weight as long as I account for the yards needed. Always check your yardage! Another good idea is to always buy all the yarn needed to complete a project in advance. You don't want to run out of blue only to find out you cant find it anywhere!

Stitches:

Ch  Chain
ST stitch
SC single crochet
HDC half double crochet
DC double crochet
ST slip stitch
sc2tog single crochet 2 together (one decrease) May change for stitches ie dc or hdc
sc2 in one stitch (one increase) may change for stitches ie dc or hdc
(THIS IS ASSUMING YOU KNOW HOW TO COMPLETE EACH STITCH)

Chains:

Ok, now we are ready to crochet!  
Lets say the pattern reads:
1 skein Red Hart Super  Coral  (364 yrd) Medium/Worsted
Size I hook
Gauge is not important. ( on a side not I never worry about the Gauge unless I am making a sweater, gauge is just how many stitches are in x amount of inches. You can alter the gauge by changing hook size or tension on the yarn.)

Row1: CH22
We are going to Chain 22
Row2: HDC in the 2nd st from the hook, HDC in each st across (21 sts)
We are going to half double crochet in the second chain from our hook and then half double crochet all the way to the last stitch. 
Row3: CH1,turn,HDC across (21sts)
Row4-36: repeat Row3
Finish off and weave in all ends.

 

That is it... pretty simple. :)