🧶 Understanding Brackets, Symbols & Pattern Tips with Auburncraft Crochet Design

If you've ever opened one of my patterns and seen a small army of brackets, plus signs, skips, and stitch counts—don't panic! Once you understand how I format my instructions, everything starts to fall into place. This post will guide you through how to read my pattern structure, including stitch groupings, repeat sections, and shorthand you’ll see often.

🔄 Brackets & Symbols Explained

Here’s a quick guide to the different symbols and brackets I use and what they mean:

( ) Round brackets show stitch groups or what a starting chain counts as. For example: Ch1 (counts as Sc) means the chain stands in for a single crochet.
[ ] Square brackets show repeats. You’ll work everything inside the brackets the number of times stated. E.g. [Sc, Ch2, Dc] x3 means repeat that set three times.
{ } Curly brackets mark major sections that may include nested repeats. These often span full segments of rows or rounds and make up the core of the pattern structure.
+ Plus symbol indicates stitches grouped together in the same stitch or space. For example:
[(3Hdc + Ch3 + 3Hdc) into next St]
This means 3 half double crochets, chain 3, and another 3 half double crochets all worked into one stitch. The + helps break up the group clearly.

This format keeps patterns compact while making complex combinations easier to read.

✂️ Skipping Stitches: Sk( )

When a pattern asks you to skip multiple stitches or a combination like a stitch and chain space, I write it like this: Sk(Sc + Ch2) or Sk(Sc. Ch2, Sc). The bracketed section shows exactly what you’re skipping over, making it easier to follow than counting stitch by stitch.

🔢 3Dc vs Dc3 — What's the Difference?

This is a really common question, and it’s important:

**3Dc** = Work 3 double crochet stitches into the same stitch or space.
**Dc3** = Work 1 double crochet into each of the next 3 stitches or spaces.

This rule applies across the board—Sc, Hdc, Tr, etc.—and helps keep your stitch counts clear and consistent.

🪡 Starting Chains & Standing Stitches

If a pattern begins with a starting chain, I always include how many chains are needed to represent the stitch—but I personally prefer using a standing stitch, and I recommend them in my notes for a neater finish.

I also encourage using foundation rows instead of starting chains if that’s your preference—it’s not written out each time, but feel free to swap in foundation stitches if you’re comfortable doing so.

🔄 RS vs WS — Right Side & Wrong Side

Most photos in my patterns are taken from the right side (RS) of the work unless otherwise stated. If you see RS or WS at the start of a row, that tells you whether you're working on the right or wrong side for that section.

Another look at a different pattern. This round of pattern is for one of my six sided dragonfly designs. It has brackets within brackets.

✅ Final Tips

Each row or round typically ends with a stitch count so you can double-check your progress.
Brackets, symbols, and stitch groupings may seem intense at first, but once you get used to the structure, it makes navigating large, detailed patterns much easier.
All these tools are there to help break up complex stitches and ensure your project turns out just as beautifully as intended.

A Few Tips To Understanding The Written Pattern

Here is a few tips to understanding how I write. The majority of my patterns are of an intermediate level. My style has changed slightly over the years and earlier patterns may employ the use of * instead of brackets.