Learning to Read Crochet Diagrams on TikTok

After finally getting the hang of reading written crochet patterns, I decided to tackle something new;

crochet diagrams! I’d seen them before, but I was always intimidated by the cluster of symbols that made no sense. So, I did some digging and found a really helpful guide on how to read a crochet diagram. This article breaks down how to read crochet charts step by step. Unlike written patterns, which spell everything out with abbreviations, diagrams use symbols to represent stitches. At first, it was a little overwhelming, but once I started to recognize the different symbols, it actually made a lot of sense!

To help things click, I followed along with a TikTok video by @kwistiwn, where they showed how to use a stitch diagram for a textured pattern. Having both the written and diagram instructions laid out made it easier for me to understand what I was looking at when reading a crochet diagram. It got me thinking… Are diagrams actually easier to follow than written patterns? I put together a little pros and cons list based on my experience so far:

Pros of Crochet Diagrams:

• Great for visual learners
• Easier to see pattern repeats
• No language barrier—symbols are universal!

Cons of Crochet Diagrams:

• Can be confusing at first
• Some symbols look similar, so it’s easy to mix them up
• Not all patterns include both written and charted instructions

Overall, I think I still prefer written patterns for now, but I can definitely see the appeal of diagrams. Especially for intricate patterns or designs where you need to visualize how stitches connect. I’m going to keep practicing and see if I can get more comfortable with them. What about you? Do you prefer written patterns or stitch diagrams, and why?

Update on Shrek Bucket Hat:

The base of the hat is finished! Now, I just need to crochet the Shrek ears and attach them—I’m so excited to see it all come together. Since I’ve started understanding some crochet abbreviations, I plan to keep track of my patterns and rows as I go. As I mentioned before, I’d love to make this hat in different sizes for my partner and maybe even some friends and family. I’m really excited about the possibilities this new skill has opened up for me!