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Symbol Crochet

Crochet symbols are a universal language that allow an alternative way of reading patterns.

THE SYMBOLS

In symbol crochet, each stitch is represented by a little picture or symbol.

or represents a chain (ch) -- and resembles a chain stitch.
represents a single crochet (sc).
represents a half double crochet (hdc).
represents a double crochet (dc).
represents a treble crochet (tr).
represents a slip stitch (sl st)—this symbol resembles the chain symbol, but is filled in.
represents a 4-treble crochet cluster (4-tr cl).

These are the basic symbols we will use in the Melody Mini Doily practice project.

Sometimes there is a special symbol for a group of stitches, such as a bobble or a popcorn; these symbols are given either with the pattern or are included in a stitch glossary.

A glossary of all symbols used in this article is below.

THE DIAGRAM

When symbols are arranged to form a "picture" of the work to be done, it is called a diagram. The diagram looks quite similar to the finished crocheted piece and shows at a glance just how it is constructed.

On circular designs, such as doilies, the diagram is followed starting at the center, working from right to left (counterclockwise) if you are right-handed and from left to right (clockwise) if you are left-handed.

The number 6 in the center of the ring shows the number of chains needed to start; the symbol for slip stitch indicates joining in a ring. The number of the round is indicated at beginning of the round.

This mini doily practice piece will let you practice following the symbols and show how a diagram is made.

MELODY MINI DOILY

MATERIALS

Size 10 crochet cotton
Size 7/1.65mm steel crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

GAUGE

9 tr = 1 inch

PATTERN NOTES

Below, you will find the symbols that tell you what to work for each row. Below each illustration, the instructions for the symbol diagrams are written out in words. First try to work from the symbols, then check your work against the words.

Ch 6, sl st in first ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as first tr), 23 tr in ring, join with sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-4. (24 tr)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same ch as joining, ch 5, *sk next tr, sc in next tr, ch 5, rep from * 10 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (12 ch-5 sps)

Rnd 3: Sl st in each of next 3 chs, ch 1, sc in same ch as last sl st, ch 5, [sc in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 5] 11 times, join with sl st in beg sc.

Rnd 4: Ch 4, keeping last lp of each tr on hook, 3 tr in same sc, yo and pull through all 4 lps on hook (beg cl), ch 2, tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, keeping last lp of each tr on hook, 4 tr in next sc, yo and pull through all lps on hook (cl), ch 2, *tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, cl in next sc, ch 2, rep from * 9 times, tr in 3rd ch of next ch-5 sp, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg cl.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in top of same beg cl, *ch 3, sc in next tr, ch 3, sc in top of next cl, rep from * 10 times, ch 3, sc in next tr, ch 3, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 ch-3 sps)

Rnd 6: Sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in same ch sp and in each ch-3 sp around, join with sl st in beg sc. Fasten off. Secure ends.

SYMBOL GLOSSARY

Symbol

U.S.

chain (ch)

U.K.

chain

Français

maille en l´air

Español

cadeneta (cad)

Deutsch

Luftmasche (Lftn)

Italiano

punto catenella

Symbol

U.S.

single crochet (sc)

U.K.

double crochet (dc)

Français

maille serree

Español

punto bajo (pb)

Deutsch

Feste Masche (fM)

Italiano

maglia bassa (m. bassa)

Symbol

U.S.

double crochet (dc)

U.K.

treble (tr)

Français

bride (br)

Español

punto alto doble (pad)

Deutsch

Stäbchen (Stb)

Italiano

maglia alta (m. alta)

Symbol

U.S.

half double crochet (hdc)

U.K.

half treble (htr)

Français

demi-bride (demi-br)

Español

punto alto (pa)

Deutsch

Halbe Stäbchen (h.Stb)

Italiano

mexxa maglia alta

Symbol

U.S.

treble crochet (tr)

U.K.

double treble (dtr)

Français

doulble bride (d-br)

Español

punto alto triple (pat)

Deutsch

Doppel-Stäbchen (D.Stb)

Italiano

maglia ltissima

Symbol

U.S.

slip stitch (sl st)

U.K.

slip stitch (sl st)

Français

maille coulee

Español

punto enano (pe)

Deutsch

Kettmasche

Italiano

maglia bassissima

Symbol

U.S.

picot

U.K.

picot

Français

picot (pi)

Español

piquito

Deutsch

Pilot (Pi)

Italiano

Pippiolino

Symbol

U.S.

cluster (cl)

U.K.

cluster (CL)

Français

grappe

Español

puntos altos cerrados
en el mismo punto

Deutsch

Büschelmasche

Italiano

maglia raggruppata

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