Following a Pattern
Knitting and crochet patterns are written in a language all of their own. In order to follow a pattern you must be able to understand the simple jargon, abbreviations and standard conventions. You are expected to know how to make the basic stitches and to be familiar with basic fabric-making procedures; anything more advanced or specialised is always spelled out in individual pattern instructions. Before starting work, always read the pattern right through, this will give you an idea of how the pattern is structured and you will know what to expect.
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Abbreviations
Although all manufacturers do not use exactly the same abbreviations, here are those with which you should be familiar.
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Abbreviations common to both Knitting and Crochet:
alt = alternate; beg = beginning; cm(s) = centimetres; dec = decrease; inc = increase; ins = inches; rep = repeat; PL = slip; st(s) = stitch(es); tog = together.
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Knitting only:
k = knit; p = purl; psso = pass slipped stitch over; st st = stocking stitch; tbl = through back of loop; yb = yarn back; yf = yarn forward; yfrn = yarn forward and round needle; yon = yarn over needle; yrn = yarn round needle.
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Crochet only:
ch = chain; dc = double crochet; dtr = double treble; htr = half treble; quad tr = quadruple treble; quin tr = quintuple treble; sext tr = sextuple treble; tr = treble; ttr = triple treble; yo = yarn over.
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Asterisks (*) and Brackets [ ]
These are used to indicate repetition of a sequence of stitches. For example: "*k3, p1; rep from * to end" or "*1 ch, miss 1 ch, 1 tr into next st; rep from * to end" mean that the whole sequence between the asterisk and the next semicolon is to be repeated as many times as necessary to reach the end of the row.
Instructions within brackets are worked for the number of times stated after the brackets. For example "[k3, p1] 4 times" or "[1 ch, miss 1 ch, 1 tr into next st] 5 times" mean that the stitches within the brackets are to be worked 4 or 5 times in all respectively.
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Working Straight
This instruction means that you work the number of stitches on the needle in knitting or over an existing row of stitches in crochet, for the required length or number of rows without increasing or decreasing.
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