To Create A
Graph Pattern
For Crochet

A graph pattern can be made for filet crochet, single crochet, or double crochet. I have had quite a bit of success with each. Creating a pattern this way is normally used for cross stitch, but I have learned that it is very interchangeable with crochet, too!

To begin making a pattern, the first thing you will need is graph paper. Here’s a link where you can print out your own graph paper. This is really cool, because you can tell it what size, thickness of the lines, how many, and a bunch of other stuff. Try it out, it’s kind of fun!

You can also use different programs to create a graph. There are many of them on the market. I use PC Stitch. It is a cross stitch pattern maker, but I found it works great for crochet, too. Don’t want to purchase a program? No problem, it’s very simple to create your own with a pencil and some graph paper.

Keep your first pattern very simple. That way it will be easier to crochet up.

Here’s a picture of a graph I made.

You can graph words, simple pictures, shapes...just about anything your imagination can dream up. As long as it is a fairly simple design, you can crochet it. Keep your colors simple, too. Unfortunately, yarn doesn’t come in quite as many colors as embroidery and sewing thread. Experiment both with graphing patterns and changing colors. It really is satisfying to graph something out, crochet it up, and be able to see your graph pattern come to life!

Next you will want to decide what it is you would like to graph. Then start filling in the boxes until your pattern emerges. Just remember, when you’re trying to make a graph pattern for crochet, you can not cut corners. Everything must remain squared.

Notice how I made the “V” shape in the above example.

Once you have a pattern all graphed out, decide which stitch you are going to use.

• If you use single crochet, it’s very easy to follow the pattern. Each square is one single crochet stitch by one single crochet row. Just remember to pick a right side and always keep the tails of your yarn to the back (wrong) side. Since you will be reading the graph pattern from right to left, then left to right (or visa versa) on each row, your right and wrong sides will alternate which is facing you. For example, if all of the even rows are going to be your right side, then all of the odd rows would be your wrong side. That means if you need to do a color change when the wrong side is facing you, you will bring your tails to the front.
  
  Learn more about single crochet here

Love Graph Pattern Sample
Single Crochet

• If you use the filet crochet (double crochet and chain stitch combination), you still read each square as one stitch, but it is a little trickier. Since you are creating “boxes” with filet crochet, you just need to determine whether the box is “open” or “filled”. If it is filled, instead of doing the chain stitch, you will do a double crochet to “fill in” the box. If the box is “open”, you simple chain stitch for that opening. Your finished piece will end up a little taller than the original graph pattern.
  
  Learn more about filet crochet here.

Love Graph Pattern Sample
Filet Crochet

• If you use the double crochet, you get to choose if you want to follow one square equals one stitch and one row. Which will have the same effect as with filet crochet. Your finished piece will end up taller than the original pattern. Or you can crochet up a swatch and see how many stitches and rows equal a “square” in your crochet work. In mine, it is 3 stitches by 2 rows. That means for every box in my graph, I will crochet 3 double crochet stitches and 2 rows. So, I go all the way across a line of boxes in my pattern, then I repeat that row before referring to back to the pattern. Remember to keep any tails tucked to the back on your wrong side. Make sure you measure the width of your completed crochet square, and figure out the project end size. I made my daughter a blanket that ended up HUGE! I didn’t realize how much my pattern would grow with a 3 stitch x 2 row square!! The last math step just helps to make sure your doily doesn’t turn into a bedspread!!
  
  Learn more about double crochet here
  
  Download pdf version of my love graph here.

Making and following a graph pattern is really simple. There’s not much to it. You can make some beautiful blankets, keepsakes and personalized gifts by graphing up your own designs. Mary Maxim has some beautiful blanket kits that use a graphing technique. They almost look like paintings!!

Check out some more double crochet patterns

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