How to Follow a Graph Crochet Pattern

Graphs can be fun to follow and allow you to be creative with your crochet. But there are a few techniques that you can do to help you perfect them! I am here to help you with this post of How to Follow a Graph Crochet Pattern. If you still have questions, just comment below or shoot me an email at jessica@crochetitcreations.com

So to start, take a look at the graph below. It is 30 blocks wide by 30 blocks tall. The blocks can either represent a single stitch, like a single crochet, a cluster of stitches, or corner to corner blocks. The pattern should tell you what stitch is needed/recommended.

I created this graph for my Initial Washcloth Crochet Pattern and each block represents 1 single crochet stitch. So this pattern is 30 stitches by 30 rows. See the remaining letters and the pattern here.

Graphs are worked left to right (if right-handed) for 1 row, then turned and worked right to left for the next. And worked from the bottom up. Row 1 will be considered the right side (RS) and row 2 is wrong side (WS).

You will see in this graph that the first 7 rows are one solid color and you can choose white or any color you would like. So, you would chain 31, sc in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across. Then complete your 7 rows.

Since we are working in back and forth rows. Row 8 will be working on the WS, from right to left. SC in first 11 stitches, change colors, etc…. Now this is where things can get tricky and messy if you are not careful.

With changing colors, I prefer to carry the lighter color (which means to crochet over it until you get to the next color change), but not carry the darker color because you can usually see it through the stitches. Or if I can see the lighter color, I’ll get several different bobbins going.

So, what are bobbins?? You can purchase bobbins like these Clover ones, or use what I use…clips from the dollar tree! Take a notebook or a book or whatever that has some weight and clip your clips on. Wrap yarn around the clips. Like the photo below.

I carried the grey in the photo, so there is only black on the bobbins. But if it showed through with carrying, I would have added bobbins with grey.

As you can see, you will crochet across, then pick up that yarn when you get to that color on the graph.

Change colors by completing the stitch all the way until the last step (for sc, 2 loops on hook) drop that color that you were using and pick up the new color. Complete the stitch with the new color by yarning over and working through both loops on hook. Either leave that old color behind, or carry it across by crocheting over it.

This technique is worked best with the bobbins directly in front of you while you crochet. When you get to the end of a row and turn your work, also turn the bobbins over (which is why I recommended something sturdy to attach them to). Turning the bobbins each time you turn your work will keep things from becoming a tangled mess!

Continue working the chart with dropping and picking up yarn. This may seem confusing at first, but you will quickly get the hang of it. Weave in your ends when finished, with being careful to match up the colors.

Find the Initial Washcloth Pattern from the photo above here. Stay tuned for the hand towel pattern.