Please explain: "Work", "Hdc in each of next 1 (3) dc", Multiple of 8 sts + 4".....

CampingCat wrote

on Sep 13, 2012 7:42 PM

Hi, Everyone!

My name's Elaine. I've been crocheting, off and on, for 40 years, but I've always just had someone show me (literally) how to do a pattern; I've only, just recently, started reading patterns in books / magazines. I've read several references regarding pattern terminology, etc.----but I still have a couple of questions....

1. I have a pattern that, in one place, it says: "Sc in 2nd ch from hook"; then, in another place in the pattern, it says: "Work sc in 2nd ch from hook". I'm wondering about the word "work". Does it simply mean "make a sc in 2nd ch from hook"?

2. Another pattern says: "Hdc in each of next 1 (3) dc". I've thought of all kinds of things that this could be saying----but, none of them fits. What does it mean, to do?

3. In the same pattern as #2, it says: "end last rep hdc in each of last 2 (4) dc". I know what hdc, dc, and rep means----the rest I'm lost on.

4. I THINK I've got this one: "multiple of 8 sts + 4"; it means I can do, like, 36 sts, right?

I know you're suppose to perform what's in parentheses in the stitch indicated (I've done several patterns from magazines / books / Internet, now), but these items have really thrown me.

Also, if you could tell me if the way these things are worded is common to pattern lingo----or, is this something unique to these pats.

Thanks, ahead of time!

Elaine

GrammaArizona wrote

on Sep 14, 2012 12:26 PM

I can help you on a couple of your questions.

1.. The word "work" means to make a sc in 2nd ch from hook.  You are correct.

2.  Depending on the row or round, you will make an hdc in either the next dc or in each of the next 3 dc.  This will depend on your pattern as to whether there is 1dc or 3 dcs when you come to that instruction.

3. This will also depend on your pattern.  One row may have only 2 dc remaining. The next row may have 4 dcs remaining.

4. Multiple of 8 + 4 means:  twice the 8 + 4=20,  three time the 8 +4=28,  four times the 8+4=36 and so on.

Instructions in parentheses are there for the reason so they do not have to repeat constantly what you need to do. Just do exactly what the words in the parentheses say and you will be fine.  Sometimes it is easier if you write these instructions out on a piece of paper if you are getting confused by the parentheses instructions.  I will write out the whole sentence of a row that has a confusing parentheses in it so that it is much clearer to me.

Most, and I repeat, most patterns are written the same, especially those written by yarn companies.  Patterns written by regular crocheters are sometimes very confusing as they use their own terminology.  Stick to patterns from yarn companies and major crochet magazines and you will do just fine.

Hope this helps and

Happy Hooking!

CampingCat wrote

on Sep 14, 2012 1:50 PM

Hi, GrammaArizona!

Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou----You are FABULOUS!!!!

I do the thing where you write out the sentence too----but, with these directions, I couldn't figure-out what to write. LOL  Usually, if I read-through a pat, and don't understand it, I just move-on-----but this one's just too extremely gorgeous.  That's how we build our skills, right!  Also, I'm another one of those who reads a pattern, sometimes, and then does things a little differently to make it my own----but I couldn't make it my own, if I didn't understand it, in the first place.

I happened to think of one more thing.....

Do you, or anyone else here, know how to make / have a pattern for a half-circle?  Not a small one----like, for an ear on an Amigurumi (I could just make a shell, for that)-----but, a larger one, like for a rug that you put in front of the kitchen sink.

Thanks, again----have a GREAT day----I AM a happy hooker, NOW!!! LOL

Elaine

cannej wrote

on Sep 25, 2012 9:33 AM

Hi Elaine - When I read your questions 2 and 3, I wondered if the pattern is one that has 2 sizes.  If so, the first number would be for the smaller size and the number in parenthesis is for the second size. - Cheryl

CampingCat wrote

on Sep 25, 2012 5:50 PM

Hi Cheryl!

Thanks for responding!

I thought that's what it meant, at first, too---but it's not, because the pattern has 4 sizes, and that would only allow for two sizes.  I figured out what it meant from something that Gramma Arizona said.....

At the beginning of that block of instructions, it says:  "multiple of 8 sts (or multiple of 8 sts plus 4)"; so, since I am using "multiple of sts plus 4", I made 3 hdc.

Also, I found a pattern for a half-circle.

Thanks, you guys!

Elaine