confused beginner who cant read a pattern!

[JaneC]

Hi,

 

I have just started to learn to crotchet but unfortunately I am not able to read my pattern!  Please can you help as I think once I understand what is required I will be able to enjoy my new experience.

 

I have completed the ring, but now I am unable to understand the next steps of the instruction :

 

 

Rnd 2 (dc1, dc2 into next st) 6 times (18)

Rnd 3 (dc2, dc2 into next st) 6 times (24)

Rnd 4 (dc3, dc2 into next st ) 6 times (30) etc.

 

Please can someone explain this in English for me please!

 

Thank you so much in advance.

Jane.

[ratdog]

Your have a ring with 12 stitches.

Round Two. Double crochet into the first stitch, make two double crochet in the next stitch, (repeat this around the ring) 1 double crochet (dc) in 3rd stitch 2 dc in 4th stitch 1 dc in 5th stitch 2 dc in 6th, 1 dc in 7th, 2D in 8th, 1 dc in 9th, 2 dc in 10th, 1 dc in 11th stitch, 2 dc in last stitch which is a total of 18 stitches in the second round.

[Granny Square]

Welcome to the 'ville!

 

Sometimes patterns will give the total number of stitches in a row (typically rows with increases or decreases) as a recap at the end, like your pattern does (18 etc).  It's not telling you to do something, just a sanity check to make sure you ended up with the right number of stitches.  

[JaneC]

 

Thank you for your kind replies.

 

Can I just check that rnd 3 and 4 means double crochet 2 times and repeat this til the end of that round and rnd 4 means double cricket 3 times in stitch one and then twice in 2nd stitch and repeat this pattern until the end of the round again?

 

Rnd 3 (dc2, dc2 into next at) 6 times (24)

Rnd 4 (dc3, dc2 into next st ) 6 times (30) etc.

 

It just seems I end up with more than the number indicated at the end, so I'm not sure if I also need to understand how the 6 times works as well?

 

Sorry, I hope to get my head round this with your very helpful explanations!

 

Jane x

[magiccrochetfan]

Hi, welcome from me too :-)  

 

this is a kind of shorthand that some people are using in patterns now, which I personally think is confusing.  It does not mean what you asked if it meant.  What round 3 is trying to say is to dc once into each of the next 2 sts, then in the 3rd st you make 2 dc sts (this is the increase).  you repeat that sequence around, repeating it 6 times.  at the end you wil have 24 sts.

 

round 4 is make one dc in each of the next 3 sts, make 2 dc in the 4th st, and repeat that around, doing that sequence a total of 6 time.  at the end you wil have 30 sts.  

[JaneC]

That now makes perfect sense thank you so much for all your help!

 

I am so glad I have found such lovely supportive people on crochetville!

[Claire Louise Watkins]

So I'm having the same problem, I assume it's the same pattern in Edwards Menagerie book.

 

So rnd2 dc1,dc2 means double crochet into the first stitch and double crochet twice into the second stitch, dc into third and dc twice into 4th?

Rnd3 dc2,dc2 means double crochet 1st and 2nd stitch and double crochet twice into third stitch continuing around

Rnd4 dc3,dc2 means dc into the next 3 stitches and dc twice into the 4th and continue around?

Rnd5 dc4,dc2 means dc the next 4 stitches and dc twice into the 5th and continue this around

Rnd6, dc5,dc2 means dc the next 5 stitches and Dc twice into the 6th stitch and continue this around?

So confusing for a beginner! Thanks in advance!

[Granny Square]

I just answered a question on another thread on the use of the parenthesis, and realized this pattern is using () in an unorthodox way.  () is meant to do everything inside () into ONE STITCH.  That's not what is meant here.  Eek.  Your interpretation is correct.

 

The 'recipe' for making a flat circle, written more conventionally, in UK DC stitches, is:

Start with 6 stitches in a ring (6 total stitches made in this round)

2 stitches into every stitch around (12)

*2 DC into 1 stitch, 1 DC; repeat around (18)

*2 DC into 1 stitch, 2 DC; repeat around (24)

*2 DC into 1 stitch, 3 DC; repeat around (30)

*2 DC into 1 stitch, 4 DC; repeat around (36)

*2 DC into 1 stitch, 5 DC; repeat around (42)

 

See the pattern forming here?  Each round increases by the number of stitches you started with, and the gap between increases increases by 1 stitch each round.  

 

For UK triples, you typically start with 12, and increase by 12 each round.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Granny Square

[Mchellemonahan1974]

Stuck on the phrase DC in eachbof next 2 sts, ( 2 DC in next st,  DC in each of next 2 sts) 

[Granny Square]

Welcome to the 'ville!

The portion you wrote covers 5 stitches that will be worked into. 

The first 2 of the 5 are before the parenthesis "DC in each of next 2 sts"--just what it says, put 1 stitch into the first of those stitches, and 1 stitch into the following st.

The stuff in the parenthesis describes what to do over the next 3 stitches.  Into the first of those stitches put 2 DC, into the second stitch put 1 DC, into the third put 1 DC.

It would be more typical to see something like "DC in each of next 2 sts, ( 2 DC in next st,  DC in each of next 2 sts) x times", where you'd repeat only the stuff in ( ) x times.

[Kelmd89]

It wouldn't let me post so I thought I would try this way I have a similar problem.

What does *1dc. In 2dc.,2dc. In next DC.

Very confusing can anyone help in more detail.

Many thanks

[Granny Square]

Hi Kelmd89, welcome to the 'ville!

Take a look at your other post, I've edited this one as my answer in the other post is more concise after seeing a bit more of the pattern wording!

 

Edited November 15, 2019 by Granny Square

[Sam K]

On 2/9/2015 at 3:43 AM, JaneC said:

That now makes perfect sense thank you so much for all your help!

 

I am so glad I have found such lovely supportive people on crochetville!

 

[Sam K]

On 2/9/2015 at 3:43 AM, JaneC said:

That now makes perfect sense thank you so much for all your help!

 

I am so glad I have found such lovely supportive people on crochetville!

 

[Sam K]

On 2/9/2015 at 3:43 AM, JaneC said:

That now makes perfect sense thank you so much for all your help!

 

I am so glad I have found such lovely supportive people on crochetville!

Oh thank goodness I have spent days trying to find an answer to the same problem...same pattern! Thank you all for the answer. I’m an absolute beginner... how do you find the hole again when you are putting several dc in the same stitch? Can anyone post a diagram of how to find it please?

[magiccrochetfan]

1 hour ago, Sam K said:

Oh thank goodness I have spent days trying to find an answer to the same problem...same pattern! Thank you all for the answer. I’m an absolute beginner... how do you find the hole again when you are putting several dc in the same stitch? Can anyone post a diagram of how to find it please?

There is not really a hole.  You are just working into the top of the stitch.  You could mark the stitch before you start stitching into it.  Use a bobby pin, piece of yarn , or you can buy locking stitch markers made for marking crochet.  

[Helen K.]

On 2/8/2015 at 10:50 PM, magiccrochetfan said:

Hi, welcome from me too 🙂  

 

this is a kind of shorthand that some people are using in patterns now, which I personally think is confusing.  It does not mean what you asked if it meant.  What round 3 is trying to say is to dc once into each of the next 2 sts, then in the 3rd st you make 2 dc sts (this is the increase).  you repeat that sequence around, repeating it 6 times.  at the end you wil have 24 sts.

 

round 4 is make one dc in each of the next 3 sts, make 2 dc in the 4th st, and repeat that around, doing that sequence a total of 6 time.  at the end you wil have 30 sts.  

Oh my goodness, Jane by a long shot, has the exact same 3 lines of directions that I have and you answered this perfectly!! Oh that IS really confusing, I agree with you! I just recovered this morning from discovering that dc UK is not the same as dc US after almost tearing my hair out, and then this enigma!  (I'm probably going to have a dream that I'm wondering "if I start crying in California time will it be half or double in the UK?" 😆😆). I'm working on this to keep calm until our election. 😳 I'm not sure that's working as planned 😂. THANK YOU and to all else here!!! 

[Animelee]

Hi, I am new here.

Would like to ask, how to read the pattern below,

2dc into next st, 1dc

2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st

Thank you in advance. 

[bgs]

12 minutes ago, Animelee said:

Hi, I am new here.

Would like to ask, how to read the pattern below,

2dc into next st, 1dc

2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st

Thank you in advance. 

Welcome to Crochetville.  

This is an old thread.  It might be better to start a new one where more people might notice.

This is a good article on reading patterns.  The problem is there are too many patterns out there that do not conform to the accepted standards.  Many times you have to search for a better pattern or fumble thru and see what works which means you will most likely do a few rows or rounds and then pull them out and try again.  You search for clues like stitch counts, did the next row work out, does it look like any photos  provided. Did you give us all the instructions for the row/round exactly as it is written?  It feels like this pattern is written in more of a shorthand and the snippet given doesnt make sense to me because I dont know what we are trying to accomplish.  Its helpful if you can give us a link to the pattern if its free so we can look at the whole thing, but a link to purchased pattern can be helpful so we can see a photo.  Name of pattern and designer can be helpful so we can try a search.  You are allowed to type out a row or two and not be in violation of copyright but you need to type it out exactly as written.

[Granny Square]

Welcome to the 'ville, Animelee!  You have  tagged on to a 6 year old post, it's better to start a fresh one because it's confusing when there are conversations with 2 different patterns going on.

So your pattern lines:

2dc into next st, 1dc when a pattern says to make a stitch, and doesn't say where to put them it means in the next stitch.  This line specifically says where to put the 2DC, but doesn't say where to put 1 DC, so the 1 DC goes into the next stitch.  

2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st the same comment as above, interpret this as '1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, make 2 dc in the next st, make 1 dc into the next 4 sts, make 2 dc into the next st'.

edit - I see BGS has replied just as I'm about to post this...edit, I disagree a little bit, while there are a ton of horribly written self published patterns out there, this one is IMO clear and conventionally written.  I have seen the same thing ("if it doesn't say where to put a stich" meaning as I described) in brand new published and tech-edited patterns, as well as vintage ones. 

 

Edited September 9, 2021 by Granny Square

[bgs]

6 hours ago, Granny Square said:

Welcome to the 'ville, Animelee!  You have  tagged on to a 6 year old post, it's better to start a fresh one because it's confusing when there are conversations with 2 different patterns going on.

So your pattern lines:

2dc into next st, 1dc when a pattern says to make a stitch, and doesn't say where to put them it means in the next stitch.  This line specifically says where to put the 2DC, but doesn't say where to put 1 DC, so the 1 DC goes into the next stitch.  

2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st the same comment as above, interpret this as '1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, make 2 dc in the next st, make 1 dc into the next 4 sts, make 2 dc into the next st'.

edit - I see BGS has replied just as I'm about to post this...edit, I disagree a little bit, while there are a ton of horribly written self published patterns out there, this one is IMO clear and conventionally written.  I have seen the same thing ("if it doesn't say where to put a stich" meaning as I described) in brand new published and tech-edited patterns, as well as vintage ones. 

Since we were not told if

2dc into next st, 1dc

2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st

 were the instructions for multiple rows/ rounds my mind took all of it as instructions for one round or row and my mind had problems with the parts in red because it would be

2dc into next st, 1dc 2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st

---why didnt it just say 3 dc? 

Then my brain wants to know if each line is a row or round why is there a comma at end of the second line.   But for my first time I would have worked it like you explained. 

 

[Animelee]

Thank you all for your comments. I really had a hard time reading the patterns but after seeing all of your comments. I had a better view of it already. Thank you so much.

[Animelee]

10 hours ago, bgs said:

Welcome to Crochetville.  

This is an old thread.  It might be better to start a new one where more people might notice.

This is a good article on reading patterns.  The problem is there are too many patterns out there that do not conform to the accepted standards.  Many times you have to search for a better pattern or fumble thru and see what works which means you will most likely do a few rows or rounds and then pull them out and try again.  You search for clues like stitch counts, did the next row work out, does it look like any photos  provided. Did you give us all the instructions for the row/round exactly as it is written?  It feels like this pattern is written in more of a shorthand and the snippet given doesnt make sense to me because I dont know what we are trying to accomplish.  Its helpful if you can give us a link to the pattern if its free so we can look at the whole thing, but a link to purchased pattern can be helpful so we can see a photo.  Name of pattern and designer can be helpful so we can try a search.  You are allowed to type out a row or two and not be in violation of copyright but you need to type it out exactly as written.

Thank you. Will post a new post if I still encounter any other difficulties. 

[Animelee]

10 hours ago, Granny Square said:

Welcome to the 'ville, Animelee!  You have  tagged on to a 6 year old post, it's better to start a fresh one because it's confusing when there are conversations with 2 different patterns going on.

So your pattern lines:

2dc into next st, 1dc when a pattern says to make a stitch, and doesn't say where to put them it means in the next stitch.  This line specifically says where to put the 2DC, but doesn't say where to put 1 DC, so the 1 DC goes into the next stitch.  

2dc, 2dc into next st, 4dc,2dc into next st the same comment as above, interpret this as '1 dc into each of the next 2 sts, make 2 dc in the next st, make 1 dc into the next 4 sts, make 2 dc into the next st'.

edit - I see BGS has replied just as I'm about to post this...edit, I disagree a little bit, while there are a ton of horribly written self published patterns out there, this one is IMO clear and conventionally written.  I have seen the same thing ("if it doesn't say where to put a stich" meaning as I described) in brand new published and tech-edited patterns, as well as vintage ones. 

 

Thank you so much for your comment. 

Will post new post if I encounter any more difficulties. 

[Granny Square]

Good point Bgs, that didn't occur to me; I interpreted it as if it were either 2 separate pattern lines, or possibly 2 different 'spots' on 1 line, because of the carriage return between them.  (does anyone say 'carriage return' anymore?...)

 

[EnglishRose]

On 2/9/2015 at 6:50 AM, magiccrochetfan said:

Hi, welcome from me too 🙂  

 

this is a kind of shorthand that some people are using in patterns now, which I personally think is confusing.  It does not mean what you asked if it meant.  What round 3 is trying to say is to dc once into each of the next 2 sts, then in the 3rd st you make 2 dc sts (this is the increase).  you repeat that sequence around, repeating it 6 times.  at the end you wil have 24 sts.

 

round 4 is make one dc in each of the next 3 sts, make 2 dc in the 4th st, and repeat that around, doing that sequence a total of 6 time.  at the end you wil have 30 sts.