Calico Crafts HK

There are so many online resources on free patterns of crochet toys, yet, we designers tend to use short forms/abbreviations when writing the pattern. If you are new to crochet, it might be quite confusing at first, let me crack down on those codes so you can unlock more patterns!

1. Learn the abbreviation

To shorten the pattern, we use abbreviation to simplify the pattern. There are commonly used universal abbreviations, I listed most abbreviations I know below

sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
tc: triple crochet
sl: slip stitch
insc/inc: increase single crochet
dsc/desc: decrease single crochet
MR: magic ring
FO: fasten off
ch: chain
ps: puff stitch
bs: bubble stitch

You can understand 80% of the amigurumi pattern with the above abbreviation, but you can always look for more online. There can be up to 70 different abbreviations. Most creator will list the abbreviation they used and their meaning at the beginning of the pattern. Make sure to check them out before start crocheting~

If you making crochet toys, you will mostly use single crochet, but if you target granny squares. I would recommend saving a long abbreviation list on your phone, so you can always refer to it.

2. Translate / Extend the pattern code~

When writing patterns as a designer, we try to keep everything short and simple. So when you see the written pattern, try to translate it by extending the abbreviation and use commas to separate stitches.

You will find something like this:

sc 3, dsc, sc 5

It simply translates to one single crochet in the first three stitches, then an invisible decrease, and then one single crochet in the next five stitches. 

Another example from my birdies pattern:

inc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 dc, 2 hdc, inc

As you can see, I use commas to separate the crochet in each stitch, so the above is the type and number of crochet you need to make in each stitch. So the above will translate to:

1st stitch: increase single crochet (equals to 2 single crochet)
2nd stitch: 2 half double crochet 
3rd stitch: 2 double crochet
4th stitch: 2 double crochet
5th stitch: 2 half double crochet
6th stitch: increase single crochet (equals to 2 single crochet)

So all together after these 6 stitches, you will get 12 stitches~

3. Number matters!

In amigurumi, counting stitches is one way to know whether you are on the right track. Most creators will use a bracket to let you know how many stitches are in these rows.

For example, 

Round 1: MR 6 (6) 
Round 2: inc x 6 (12)
Round 3: (inc, sc) x 6 (18)
Round 4: (inc, sc 2) x 6 (24)

Take the first two rounds as an example. You first start with a magic ring of 6 single crochet. Then you make 2 single crochet in each stitch, 6 x 2=12, so you end in 12 stitches after round 2!

You can count the number of stitches you have at the end of each row and know where you are. Please bear in mind that the bracket number stands for the number of stitches AFTER you finished that round. 

Another important message you can know from the pattern is the number of times you need to repeat. Similar to those in mathematics, inc x 6 stands for 6 increase single crochet. 

Another common is like in round 4, (inc, sc 2), which stands for one increase single crochet in the first stitch, then one single crochet in the following stitch, and one single crochet for the following stitch. You will then repeat the whole thing six times to complete the round.

I hope this makes it a bit easier for you to understand amigurumi and crochet. I also have yet so much to learn from you all. Leave me a comment if you find something confusing!