Basic International Crochet Symbols

Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart
Chapter 7
Basic
International
Crochet Symbols
&
How to follow a
Crochet Schematic
Chart
Chapter 7
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart
Chapter 7
Tip #64
Outside the U. S. crocheters work with the international
crochet symbol system. This system was invented by the Japanese
in the 1960’s or even earlier; however Americans could find the system
of crochet if they looked in books published outside of the United
States.
For many years it was referred to as the JIS (Japanese
International Symbol) system. There are more than 50 of these
symbols.
In 2003, Ms. Janet Tombu of Victoria, British Columbia and I
worked on the format for a true type Crochet Symbols Font, which could
be loaded onto your computer. Within the computer type font, the 66
basic International symbols are included. The font is used throughout
336 Crochet Tips !
The premise of the International Crochet Symbol is that if there
is only one set of symbols for the whole world, then language does not
matter, because the pattern reader need only know the symbols and
then “read” the symbols in any language.
Tip #65
By learning the international crochet symbol system, you can
crochet a pattern in any language, because the symbols are universal
and do not rely upon a language translation. For example, if you travel
to Germany and purchase a crochet book, the symbols will be the same
even though you may not speak the language.
Once the symbols have been visualized and memorized, they will
allow you crochet and read/interpret the pattern at a faster rate.
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart
Chapter 7
Tip # 66
Basic Crochet Symbols With American
Equivalents
Stitches Used
American
Abbreviations
Chain stitch
Ch
Single crochet
Sc
Half Double
Crochet
Hdc
Double Crochet
Dc
Triple Crochet
Trc
Picot
Pic
Slip Stitch
Sl st
International
Crochet
Symbol









Crochet symbols in this section provided by
Janet Tombu , British Columbia, Canada
Tips # 67 - 77
1. A chart shows a pattern as it appears on the public side.
Crochet symbol charts are like “maps”, which simplify written
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart
Chapter 7
instructions for pattern stitches, color work and garment
shaping.
2. Read a Pattern worked in ROWS from the bottom up.
3. Begin at bottom, right corner if the pattern is written in rows; or
find the “1” . ASSUMPTION: The general assumption is that
crochet charts are written for right hand crocheters.
Left hand crocheters can purchase
Recommendation:
transparencies from an office supply store, photocopy the
pattern on to the transparency, then simply flip it over and the
pattern will be in a direction best for left hand crocheters.
4. Read the chart from right to left on the “public” side row (Odd
numbered rows)
5. Read Even numbered rows from left to right on a nonpublic side row.
6. For crochet patterns worked in ROUNDS, begin to read the
pattern from the center. Recommendation: Find the #1 in
the center, this will tell you exactly where to begin a chart
pattern.
7. Either one of these symbols mean to “fasten off here”:  or 
8. Either one of the following symbols mean to “Start here”.: ,
, , .
9. Either one of the following symbols mean “Direction of work”:
, , .
10. Right hand crocheters will always be crocheting toward her
left. In a motif or on rounds, she will always be crocheting
counter clockwise.
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart
Chapter 7
11. Left hand crocheters will always be crocheting to her right.
In a motif or on rounds, she will always be crocheting
clockwise.
The above Chart is from : Donna K ooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet , published by Leisure
Arts, copyrighted 2003
Tip # 78
When I work from a chart I always use figure 1. The
reasons I use figure 1:

Method 1 does not leave gapping “holes” along
the side of my work. This is very important in the
making of crochet fashions and garments.
 The hole is unsightly and gaudy.
 It does not allow for neat seams and construction.
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart
Chapter 7
Tip # 79
Additional Symbol Stitches that can be found in
American Patterns
SYMBOL
ABBREVIATION












CHAIN STITCH
TURNING CH
SC (SINGLE CROCHET)
DOUBLE CROCHET
TRIPLE CROCHET STITCH
SL ST
2 DC, CH 1, 2 DC SHELL
3 ST DC CLUSTER
3 ST DC POPCORN
3 ST HDC POPCORN
5 STITCH DOUBLE CROCHET POPCORN STITCH
5 DOUBLE CROCHET SHELL STITCH
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart















Chapter 7
5 ST HDC POPCORN
BACK POST DC
BACK POST HDC
SC IN BACK LOOP ONLY
BACK POST SC
BACK POST TRIPLE CROCHET
BOUILLON STITCH
CLOSED PICOT
DC 2 TOG (DOUBLE CROCHET 2 TOGETHER)
DC 3 TOG (DOUBLE CROCHET 3 STITCHES TOGETHER )
DC 4 TOG (DOUBLE CROCHET 4 STITCHES TOGETHER)
DC IN BACK LOOP
DOUBLE CROCHET INCREASE BY 1 MORE STITCH
DOUBLE CROCHET LOOP STITCH
EXTENDED SC
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart















Chapter 7
FRONT POST DC
FRONT POST HDC
FRONT POST SC
FRONT POST TRIPLE CROCHET
HDC 2 TOG
HDC 3 STITCHES TOG (DECREASE BY 2 MORE
STITCHES)
HDC INCREASE BY 1 MORE STITCH
HDC INCREASE BY 2 STITCHES
DOUBLE CROCHET INC BY 1 MORE
INVERTED "Y" STITCH
OMEGA LACE CROCHET
OPEN PICOT
SC 2 TOG
SC 3 TOG (SINGLE 3 STITCHES TOG)
SC CRAB ST OR
REVERSE SC ( WORK WILL BE FROM
LEFT TO RIGHT )
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters
Basic International Crochet Symbols
How to Follow a Crochet Schematic Chart










Chapter 7
SC INCREASE BY 1
SC INCREASE BY 2 MORE STITCHES
SC LOOP ST
TRC 3 TOG (TRIPLE CROCHET DECREASE BY 2 STITCHES)
TRIPLE CROCHET 2 TOG
TRIPLE CROCHET CROSSOVER STITCH
TRIPLE CROCHET INCREASE BY 1 MORE ST
TRIPLE CROCHET INCREASE BY 2 MORE
TRIPLE CROCHET IN BACK LOOP
Y STITCH
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336 Crochet Tips !
The Solutions Book for Crocheters