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Hi,
Often I see members writing "I can`t read a pattern".
My question.. what is it what you "can`t read" in a crochet pattern? Is it the way it is written? Do you not understand the Abreviations? Can you give an example?
Would you like to learn how to read a pattern?
I am concider preparing an on-line workshop for the REALY beginners, would you be intrested?
I look forward to your replies !!
Berta
www.threadteds.com
ThReAdTeDs On-line workshops: http://www.threadteds.com/workshop_01_EN.htm
Posts: 1,277Berta,
I am able to read patterns, but when I was starting out I didn't know what any of the abbreviations meant. I remember racking my brain to figure out what yo was! As I was learning, I found it helpful to refer to some magazines I had as they had instructions and illustrations of most of the basic stitches. So, for a beginners class I think illustrations would be most helpful.
Back Road BearsOh, I'd love to learn.
Instructions with nothing but numbers and abbreviations is SO daunting. I know it's easier to WRITE a pattern this way but it's not always easier for the beginner to read.
Pictures..... lots and lots of pictures. I think a lot of us are visual learners so you can explain until your blue in the face but the only way we're going to 'get it' is to SEE it.
To see pictures of each bear part once crocheted might be helpful so we know we're on the right track.
This is all coming from someone who has looked at crocheted bear patterns, felt so confussed and gave up before even trying. 
Hi Berta!
I would LOVE to learn to crochet, but have never tried, as I don't know where to start. I cannot knit either. I would love an online workshop which starts from the basics, teaching every single stitch with diagrams, before the actual pattern is even looked at.
I am definitely interested!!
Hugs,
Samantha
x
Dolls N DreamsI have never tried but always wanted to learn how! 
Swan Valley BearsI do crochet and I have been able to follow some patterns but it's not easy for me. I'd love to be able to crochet little sweaters and hats for my bears. An online class would be great.
Wild Thyme OriginalsHi Berta! Well... you know that I am one who CAN read a pattern.... but if you DO give a go of it... make sure that you give instructions in both USA and EUROPEAN... I know that they are often different.... I forget which way it goes!
Kim Basta
Charlotte Des Roches DesignsBerta, I think it would be wonderful to do a class for those who are pattern reading impaired. I remember when I first learned to crochet & knit, I was young enough that I couldn't read much of anything, much less a pattern, so for many years patterns made no sense to me whatsoever, but then one day I decided to try it...and after some struggles I was able to figure then out. I have over the years of teaching many different crafts to many folks, found a great many who just couldn't figure out patterns at all. I think you would be doing many a great thing by doing this class...three cheers for you...way to go 
Hugs &
Posts: 8,574However for those of you who CAN read the patterns Berta's are clearly written and simply understandable!
gollyhugs
dilu
Posts: 3,177Hi Berta,
I can read crochet and knitting patterns as my mum taught me at a very early age but i think it is a superb idea to offer online classes for those who can't.
I occasionally come across a pattern that confuses even me and i have been crocheting for almost 40 years - yeah go on, do the maths - i'm ancient!
Good luck with this, it will be a godsend to all those who can't read a pattern and you never know...............even those of us who can might learn a few useful tips. You can teach an old dog new tricks!
:crackup:
Penny :hug:
Wow, thank you so much for all your great replies and experience you had yourself with reading patterns. It is greatly appreciated and all suggestions, ideas and experience help me with preparing, and what is important to teach.
I too had to teach myself how to read patterns. My mother teached me the basic crochet stitches but never teached me abbreviations.
I learned by "looking", which I think is by far the best way to learn.
Many crochet patterns here in the netherlands and europe, like for doilies or curtains or filet crochet are not written but drawings.
Also japanese patterns are mostly drawings.
Do you have experience with these? Do you like them? Do you prefer "written" before "drawings"?
Thanks again,
Berta
TinyBearHi Berta
I would LOVE to learn it to.
Great idea with a online workshop.
ToadBriarHah - patterns!! Directions! Instructions!!! I do not speak these languages :crackup:
There is only ONE set of instructions that worked to teach me to knit & I was SO happy to
find it. Let me find it again, to use as an example of what I need versus what is mostly
offered & apparently works for other, more normal people:
here we go: http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/knit/frameset.html
this is the only one that worked for me! Look, he shows you just how the yarn
goes etc. I love this man, he put it in a way I can understand. thank you thank
you thank you! lol
By comparison, this is typical, & utterly incomprehensible to me:
http://www.mycraftbook.com/Cast_On_Stitch_2.asp
I have no idea what is happening between each photo, I don't know what direction either needle
is going, which bit of yarn is in front or behind, etc. It's all far away, all the same color, etc. Apparently
this works for most people, because most instructions are like this. But to me? Useless!
& that's how knitting & crochet patterns are for me, too. A beginner like me needs more than how many rows
etc. I don't even know how to properly finish a line of crochet - I can't make a SQUARE to save my life. Everything
is wavy & lumpy & misshapen! I am doomed to trying to make spiral hats...they are pathetic...lol
So I must surely be the lowest common denominator of people who cannot follow patterns...but the Tom Farrell
link above DID work even for me, so there is hope!
Bears by Jodi
MerBear OriginalsI too have been crocheting and knitting for 50 yr or so and can read patterns...more ancient than you Penny!! I don't crochet or knit so much since I started sewing bears but I used to love the European pattern magazines with the drawing patterns instead of written patterns. They were so easy to use, especially for the filet crochet.
Marion
Posts: 1,277Many crochet patterns here in the netherlands and europe, like for doilies or curtains or filet crochet are not written but drawings.
Also japanese patterns are mostly drawings.
Do you have experience with these? Do you like them? Do you prefer "written" before "drawings"?
After I had been crocheting for about a year, I decided to set aside the blankets and bears and try my hand at a doily. I had a pattern booklet already but had yet to look through it. I remember opening the booklet and seeing the diagrams and thinking what the heck is this! I was used to written instructions so the diagram was very intimidating...but I gave a go anyhow. I was able to figure it out and it really wasn't difficult at all. However, I think it was easy because I already had a good understanding of crochet. If I was a beginner, I'm not sure I would have even tried the diagram pattern.
Wild Thyme OriginalsI LOVE the diagrams for filet crochet, and for some doilies... but mostly I prefer the standard "6 sc, 4 dch... etc....."
It really does help to have a nice list of the abbreviations though!
Oh Kim... I love that knitting link.. I must really LOOK at this when I get a bit more time... I've bookmarked it!
Kim Basta
Bine-TeddiesAt Annies Attic you can find instructions for knitting, crochet and other techniques, all with text, drawings and short videos. That's were I finally figured out the difference between German (aka continental) and British-American (throwing the yarn) knitting. I think the German way appears to be a lot easier, but of course I have never really tried the other way. Crochet instructions in English can be confusing if you don't know if they are British of American. In Bristish terminology a (US) single crochet is called a double crochet, a (US) double crochet is a treble etc. I think there are conversion tables on the internet. Same problem is with needle sizes and yarn thickness.
I am very happy to be able to read patterns of all kinds and I have been knitting an crocheting since I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. Learned it in school and from my mother. See how I managed not to tell you for how many years I've been knitting and crocheting? :crackup: Its been several decades and I hope I never have to stop :thumbsup:
Forgot the link http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/cont … ?type_id=S Look for more under stitching help.
