This is the first post in a tutorial series on how to read amigurumi crochet patterns. There are no set rules or guidelines for writing amigurumi patterns. Each designer has his/her own format, so if you like to make amis from many different designers (which you probably do!), than things can get confusing. This series will allow you to decipher a number of different patterns and help clear things up.
Amigurumi patterns can be written out (the usual method for designers in North America) or be in graphic form, such as charts and tables (more common for Japanese patterns). These blog posts will focus on written instructions, as that is how I design my patterns.
Lets start with the basics: pattern abbreviations for written instructions. Written patterns can get pretty long if you don’t shorten some of the words. A well written pattern will have a key telling you what all the abbreviations in the pattern mean, but you may come across some that just jump right in without any guidance. Below are the most common abbreviations found in amigurumi patterns:
Is there anything major I missed? Let me know in the comments below! Did you catch that one abbreviation is repeated in two different locations with two different meanings? MC can mean “main colour” or “magic circle”, so be aware!
Next time, I will take you through how to read a hookabee pattern that uses some of these abbreviations.
hookabee 
32 responses to “How to read amigurumi patterns: Part 1”
what does (1 sc 1 inc ), ( 3 sc 1 inc ) x 5, 2 sc = 30 mean?
Hello!
I am not sure why the first 1 sc and 1 inc are in a bracket, but the stitches within the second bracket need to be repeated a total of 5 times. So, if the round was written out fully, it would look something like this:
1 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc
This makes a total of 30 stitches at the end of the round.
Hope that helps!
Megan
what does (3sc, Inc) *6 mean?
Hello! This means you repeat the instructions within the brackets a total of 6 times. If you write it all out it would look like this: 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc
Hope that helps!
Megan
hi I’m working on a pattern that’s says 15sc, (sc,inc)*6,15sc -> 48, and I am so lost
Hello! You will need to repeat what is within the brackets 6 times, plus the 15 sc stitches before and after the brackets. This all adds up to a total of 48 stitches. It will looks something like this when all written out: 15 sc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, 15 sc = 48 stitches total for the round.
Hope this helps!
Megan
hi I’m working with a pattern that says sc around (36) what does that 36 stand for?
Hello! Usually the number in brackets at the end of a round’s instructions is the total number of stitches in that round. So in this case, by the end of the round you should have made 36 SC stitches. Hope that helps!
Megan
I am hoping you can help me out with a expert opinion. Usually I ask ai about confusing questions but even Ai seems confused. In https://amigurumi.blogkb.com/cute-crochet-lina-doll-amigurumi-free-pattern/#google_vignette
I am doing the head. On round 22 and 23 it says work even 61 which seems like sc 61 2x then next round 24 it says sc 20 dc 8 sc5 dc8 sc20 which indeed counts as 77 stitches but the next round 25 would have 45 stitches because you reduce 16 stitches from 61 . My brain is saying it is inc not dec…what do you think?
I’m working a pattern that says
(SC,HDC, ( 2 HDC in one st) 4 times, HDC, 4 SC) 5 times but I can’t read it right I’m supposed to go from 55 st to 75 st but it’s not coming out right
I tried to reach out to the person that has the pattern but they don’t understand what my problem is can you help me figure out the pattern please
Hello Dee,
That is a tricky one, because there is a repeat within a repeat! The (2 HDC in one st) 4 times is basically 4 HDC increases in a row. So if you wrote out what you have to do overall, it would look something like this: SC, HDC, HDC increase, HDC increase, HDC increase, HDC increase, HDC, 4 sc – and then you repeat that ENTIRE sequence of stitches 4 MORE times, so 5 times total, which would give you 75 stitches. Does that make sense??
Megan
Yes thank you so much. I reached out to the person I bought the pattern from and all they sent me was what the pattern they didn’t explain it at all.
Thank you so much for your help
Glad I could help!
Hi I’m new to this, but want so bad to make this doll for my granddaughter for Xmas.
The 1st row says 8sc=6???2nd row says sc,Inc,3sc,Inc,2sc=12
I have read from questions an there are a few of us that don’t understand??if u could pls help.
Hi Lori,
It looks to me like there may be an error in the pattern for the stitch counts. For both rounds the total stitch counts have two additional stitches, which obviously does not make sense. Maybe the designer didn’t have it proof read by a tech editor? Have you reached out to the designer?
Sorry I can’t be of more help!
Megan
Hello..so.im trying to figure this out…ok so pattern says , for example. (4 sc, dec) *6.. and another ex..13 sc, dec (14)… and another ex.. 6 Inc (12)
Hello Jennifer, what are you confused about? Do you have a specific question? Make sure you check the key for the pattern to learn what all the short forms mean, then go from there.
Megan
Hello, i just found your page, I signed up. I am making my 2nd piece. It is a Frankenstein from tprpyn.com
I made it until this part, and I’m thinking it is the rods on each side
Next use green line hook, I’m assuming that is the plastic green sewing needle,
R5-1 8 : 54X =54. I wish I could send u a pic. I am stuck, i hope you can help. Thank you
Hello! I am sorry, but as this is not my pattern, I am not sure what the instructions mean. Have you tried reaching out to the designer? Sorry I can’t be more helpful!!
Take care, Megan
I am making hookabee and am stuck on the instructions for the body. The instruction for the line does not add up to the number of stitches at the end. I’m sure it’s just how I’m reading it. Please help
Hello Doris, Sorry you are having trouble with the pattern! Which pattern are you making, and which round are you on? I would love to help you!
I am making Hookabee .I am now doing the body and for some reason I’m stuck
If you would give some explanation on rows 4 and 5. I think I will understand the pattern
Are you making one of my bee patterns? The small one or the large one? I have many patterns, so knowing which one you are making would be helpful so I can better help you. Thank you!
(Sc 2, invdec) 6times (18 set)?
Are you asking what this means? Without seeing the pattern, I would say this means you repeat what is in the brackets 6 times, so you end up with 18 stitches at the end of the round/row. So you would do this: sc, sc, invdec, sc, sc, invdec, sc, sc, invdec, sc, sc, invdec, sc, sc, invdec, sc, sc, invdec
What does P and Prs mean? Also D and UB. I’m trying to do the Emma doll from knitting day. I have searched the internet and cannot find hardly anything on amigurumi terms.
Sorry Kim, I am not familiar with those short forms in amigurumi. Is there a terms list in the pattern that describes them? You will need to contact the original designer if not.
Can you tell me what is meant by the following -” Chain 8. – sc6, 3sc in one stitch, sc5, inc (16)
Hello Mary! Sorry, but because this is not my pattern and I do not have it in front of me, I am not sure what is being asked. Are you able to contact the designer of the pattern you are working on? I hope they are able to help out!
[…] ways to write the same instructions. Missed the first two parts of the series? Catch up here: Part 1 & Part […]
[…] read amigurumi crochet patterns, both written and graphic. Previously, I looked at the most common abbreviations used in written amigurumi patterns – if you haven’t already, I recommend reading it before continuing with this post. […]
your posts are very interesting and so colourful…you are doing very well, my daughter!!
Hélène :o)