Guide 2: Crochet Chart Symbols Used in Japan [Basics]

Crochet chart symbols include individual symbols that represent a single stitch (e.g., chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet) and symbols where a single stitch is formed through repetitive motions (such as pattern stitches).
Let's first take a look at the most basic individual crochet chart symbols.

These are the basic crochet chart symbols used in Japanese crochet patterns.
We will now explain how these symbols are used within a crochet chart.

Chain Stitch Symbols

The "chain" symbol appears in almost every crochet chart. It is used for the "foundation chain" when starting a project, as well as for the "turning chain" at the beginning of each row. In addition, it is frequently used to form pattern stitches and serves various other purposes, making it one of the most commonly used crochet chart symbols.
In English patterns, it is written as "chain (ch)".

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:
t-ch: turning chain

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 3 (counts as t-ch).

↓
[Row 1]
Dc in 5th ch from hook, dc in next 5 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next dc and each dc across, dc in 3rd of ch-3 of previous row.

Slip Stitch Symbols

The "slip stitch" symbol is also frequently used and is essential in almost all projects worked in the round. In round crochet, a slip stitch is made at the end of a round by inserting the hook into the first stitch and pulling the yarn through, joining the first and last stitches together.
In English patterns, it is written as "slip stitch (sl st)".

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation]
Start with a magic ring.
↓
[Row 1]
Ch 1, then work 6 sc into the ring. Insert the hook into the first sc and make a sl st to join.
↓
[Row 2]
The crochet chart symbol "V" shown in this chart represents "working 2 single crochets into a stitch" (which will be covered in a later lesson).
Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc and each sc of the previous round (12 sc in total). Insert the hook into the first sc and make a sl st to join.

This crochet chart represents single crochet stitches worked in the round, which will be introduced in the next section.

Single Crochet Symbols

The single crochet symbol frequently appears in crochet charts for bags, amigurumi, and other projects. As one of the fundamental crochet stitches, it is represented by an "×" or "+" symbol in charts. Unlike double crochet or half double crochet, where the turning chain is counted as a stitch, the turning chain is not considered a stitch when beginning with single crochet.
In English patterns, it is written as "single crochet (sc)".

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:
st: stitch

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 1.
↓
[Row 1]
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), sc in first sc and each sc across.

Single Crochet Back Loop Only Symbols

"Single crochet back loop only (scblo)" uses the same crochet technique as single crochet, but the way the stitches are picked up from the previous row is different. For single crochet, you pick up both loops of the previous row's stitch, but for scblo, you pick up only the back loop of the previous row’s stitch. The unpicked loop will appear as a horizontal ridge.

Here, the single crochet back loop only symbol is introduced as the single crochet symbol with one horizontal line below it. If the symbol above the horizontal line is for a double crochet, it indicates "double crochet back loop only," and if it's for a half-double crochet, it indicates "half double crochet back loop only."

In English patterns, this stitch is written as "single crochet back loop only (scblo)" or "single crochet front loop only (scflo)," which specifies which loop of the previous row to pick up when crocheting. When working with the back loop only, it is "back loop only," and when working with the front loop only, it is "front loop only." This makes the stitch pickup method clear.

On the other hand, in Japanese notation "Sujī Ami (すじ編み)," it is generally understood that the back loop of the previous row is picked up, which corresponds to "back loop only." Even if it is meant to indicate front loop only, the same symbol is used on the chart.

Sometimes, the method of pickup can change depending on the row, for example, using the back loop on the second row and the front loop on the third. In such cases, the crochet technique cannot be determined by the symbol alone.

Therefore, in these cases, supplementary text explaining the method is always included to avoid confusion for the crocheter. Be sure to read these explanations, as they often address these important points. Don't overlook them when looking at Japanese crochet charts.

ex. If there is no supplementary text, this crochet pattern will be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 1.
↓
[Row 1]
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), scblo in first sc and each sc across, turn.
↓
[Row 3]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), scblo in first scblo and each scblo across.

Next, I will provide another example.
This is an example of the single crochet back loop only symbol found in a circular crochet pattern.

ex. As a supplementary text, if there is a direction indicated by ※ stating "For row 2, pick up 1 stitch from the front side of the previous row's stitch," this crochet pattern will be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation Chain]
Start with a magic ring.
↓
[Row 1]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), then work 6 sc into the ring. Insert the hook into the first sc and make a sl st to join.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), 2 scflo in first sc and each sc of the previous round (12 scflo in total). Insert the hook into the first scflo and make a sl st to join.

Half Double Crochet Symbols

The half double crochet creates a stitch with a soft, plump texture. The height of a half double crochet stitch is approximately twice that of a single crochet, and the turning chain is typically two chains. In half double crochet, the turning chain is counted as the first stitch. Half double crochet is also used in textured stitches such as bobble stitches. The symbols for such stitch patterns are designed by combining multiple half double crochet symbols.
In English patterns, it is written as "half double crochet (hdc)."

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 2 (counts as t-ch).

↓
[Row 1]
Hdc in 4th ch from hook, hdc in next 4 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next hdc and each hdc across, hdc in 2nd of ch-2 of previous row.

Double Crochet Symbols

The double crochet creates a stitch approximately three times the height of a single crochet. The turning chain is typically three chains, and it is counted as the first double crochet. The double crochet symbol appears in a wide variety of patterns, including crochet motifs, lightweight garments, lace crochet, and filet crochet. There are also many stitch symbols for textured patterns that are based on double crochet.
In English patterns, it is written as "double crochet (dc)."

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation]
Start with a magic ring.
↓
[Row 1]
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), then work 14 dc into the ring. Insert the hook into the 3rd ch of ch-3 and make a sl st to join.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in 3rd ch of ch-3 of previous row, 2 dc in next dc and each dc of the previous round. Insert the hook into the 3rd ch of ch-3 of this row and make a sl st to join.

Treble Crochet Symbols

The "treble crochet" has approximately four times the height of a single crochet. The turning chain is typically 4 stitches, and the turning chain counts as one treble crochet stitch. The symbol for treble crochet is similar to that for double crochet, making it easy to imagine how to work it. This stitch can be used in lace crochet to achieve even greater height than the double crochet, or in pattern work and shaping to create a balanced design.
In English patterns, it is written as "treble crochet (tr)."

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 4 (counts as t-ch).

↓
[Row 1]
Tr in 6th ch from hook, tr in next 4 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 4 (counts as first tr), tr in next tr and each tr across, tr in 4th ch of ch-4 of previous row.

Double Treble Crochet Symbols

The "double treble crochet" symbol, which is more commonly seen in English patterns than in Japanese crochet charts. This stitch is approximately five times the height of a single crochet, and the turning chain is typically 5 stitches. Just like other stitches, the turning chain counts as one double treble crochet stitch. This stitch is often used in lace patterns, creating airy textures, or in straight-line patterns for a clean, defined look.
In English patterns, it is written as "double treble crochet (dtr)."

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 5 (counts as t-ch).

↓
[Row 1]
Dtr in 7th ch from hook, dtr in next 4 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 5 (counts as first dtr), dtr in next dtr and each dtr across, dtr in 5th ch of ch-5 of previous row.

Attach Yarn Symbols

This symbol is used when starting to crochet with a new yarn. In multi-colored projects, it is also used to indicate where to join a new color of yarn.
In English patterns, it is referred to as "attach yarn" or "join yarn."

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation Chain]
Ch 6, then ch 2 (counts as t-ch).

↓
[Row 1]
Hdc in 4th ch from hook, hdc in next 4 ch, turn.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next hdc and each hdc across, hdc in 2nd of ch-2 of previous row.
↓
[Row 3]
Insert the hook into the last half double crochet stitch of the second row, attach a new yarn.

Ch 1 (does not counts as st), sc in first hdc and each hdc across, sc in 2nd ch of ch-2 of previous row.

Cut Yarn Symbols

This symbol indicates where to cut the yarn. In multi-colored projects, it is used to indicate where to cut the current yarn when switching to a different color. While it is similar in meaning to the common English pattern instruction 'Fasten off and weave in ends,' in Japanese, it does not carry the nuance of the specific instruction to loop the cut yarn through and tighten it.
In English, it would be more closely translated as "cut yarn."

ex. This crochet chart can be interpreted as follows:

[Foundation]
Start with a magic ring.
↓
[Row 1]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), then work 6 sc into the ring. Insert the hook into the first sc and make a sl st to join.
↓
[Row 2]
Ch 1 (does not counts as st), 2 sc in first sc and each sc of the previous round (12 sc in total). Insert the hook into the first sc and make a sl st to join.
↓
Once you finish the second row, cut the yarn.

--------------------------

In addition to this, here are some points that may be useful to know about how the symbols for "attach yarn" and "cut yarn" are used. One such point is how to distinguish between whether you attach a new yarn without cutting the previous yarn or if you cut the previous yarn before attaching the new one when changing yarn colors. This is clearly shown in the crochet chart symbols, but let's take a look at an example.

First, here's an example of a crochet chart where a new yarn is attached without cutting the previously used yarn.

In this example, the yarn used for Row 1 is not cut after completing Row 1 because it will be used again for Row 3. Since Row 2 is worked with a different yarn, there is a "attach yarn" symbol at the start of Row 2. After finishing Row 2 with the new yarn, the yarn used for Row 1 is used again to work Row 3. For Row 4, the yarn used for Row 3 is used again.

In contrast, here is an example of a crochet chart where the yarn used previously is cut before attaching the new yarn.

This example involves cutting the yarn used for Row 1 because it will not be used again in subsequent rows. At the end of Row 1, the yarn is cut, and a new yarn is attached to work Row 2. Therefore, both the "cut yarn" and "attach yarn" symbols are shown at the end of Row 1. Additionally, since Row 3 is worked with a different yarn, the "attach yarn" symbol appears at the start of Row 3. For Rows 2 and 4, the same yarn is used, so no instruction to cut the yarn at the end of Row 2 is given, and the yarn is carried over from Row 2 to Row 4.

This type of crochet chart symbol is commonly seen in projects that use multiple colors, so it is useful to remember.