Patter help!

[Miss H]

I am new to crochet and I am beginning to read a patter.

I have a pattern and the numbers make no sense or add up (to me)

 

Ch 18

Row 1. Ch1, dc17 (18)

Row 2. Ch 2, tr17 (18)

I just don't get how they would add upto 18.

 

Many thanks 😊 

[bgs]

They must be counting the ch1 as a stitch in row 1 and are counting the ch2 in row 2 as a stitch.

When you start a new row you often use chains to get to the height you need.  Well written patterns will tell you whether it counts a stitch or not as it is designers choice.  

https://www.dummies.com/crafts/crocheting/stitches/how-to-crochet-a-turning-chain/

Edited January 1, 2021 by bgs

[Granny Square]

I agree with Bgs about the chain counting, it seems to me a while back there was a thread about pattern in US SC/UK DC that WAS counting the chain 1 as a stitch, so that explains row 1 if this pattern is doing the same. 

But, then if you chain 2 that counts as a stitch in row 2, you would have to skip the first DC (after the ch2) to treble in the remaining 17--which is the 'normal' way to handle a UK treble..