Understanding Japanese Crochet symbols – A Simple Guide

Japanese crochet

Crocheting is one of the most popular crafts there is because there are so many different styles and design aspects that can be worked in to a piece. One of the most intriguing is the Japanese crochet. Unlike the English crochet patterns, which use words and abbreviations for their instructions, Japanese crochet patters use images and symbols, which can be overwhelming at first glance.
If you’re like me, you leafed through a book of Japanese crochet patterns and were in awe over the designs, details and complexity of the finished product. Then you saw the pattern and slammed the book shut, knowing that there was no way you could ever figure out the Japanese crochet symbols. Sound familiar?

While it’s true that the patterns for this intriguing type of crocheting are nothing like the English crochet patterns, you can learn to read them; and learn to read them enough to complete a stunning finished product.

Working “In The Round”

Japanese patterns are often worked “in the round”, meaning that your crocheting will be worked in a circle, rather than in a side by side fashion, such as when you make an afghan. The pattern will start in the middle with the foundation chain and work its way out, showing each identical stitch that the project calls for. This allows the making of three dimensional products, like the popular Amigurumi. Amigurumi’s are little stuffed animals that are tightly crocheted, using small hooks, so that the stuffing can’t be seen. These are by far the most popular project in Japanese crocheting.

Japanese Crochet Symbols and what they mean

English patterns are pretty straight forward in their instructions and while it doesn’t look like Japanese crochet patterns are, once you understand what you are looking at, you will see that the instructions truly are as straight forward as their English counterparts. Learning the Japanese crochet symbols will make it easy for you to read a pattern as your smart brain will automatically see the symbol and convert it to words that will make sense.

Open Ended Oval – The opened ended oval indicates that a chain stitch should be made. Each symbol is one chain stitch.
Filled Oval – A filled oval is a slip stitch.

X (sometimes +) – The X symbol will sometimes be portrayed as a + symbol, but both mean the same. Whenever you see a X or + you should do a single crochet stitch.

T (and slants to the T) – A tall T in a pattern stands for a half double crochet stitch. When you start seeing slants bisecting the T, you will know that you are jumping to a different stitch. One slant is the double crochet, two slants is for the treble crochet stitch, three slants for the double treble and four slants for the triple treble stitch. Each symbol represents on stitch of the pattern.

When you see two or more of the symbols connected in a V pattern, you will know to increase. You would simply work the same amount of stitches that there are symbols. The same is true for decreasing, where an upside down “V” is the symbol to decrease.
You will often see Japanese writing but don’t worry, rarely do you actually need to be able to read Japanese in order to complete one of the patterns. The most common you will see are:

Numbers – Either telling you what page to go to, how much yarn to use, or other pertinent information.

Japanese Numbers

 

Material – The material that the pattern recommends you to use will almost always be in Japanese unless the pattern has been translated to English. Use this chart to easily translate the material yourself.

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One Comment

  1. Hi! I find your tutorial about japanese crochet symbol very helpful. I understand that when there is a slip stitch followed by arrow symbol, it means to end off and carry yarn over, make another slip stitch and continue to crochet. I don’t know when I join sleeves to body using slip stitch, back stitch or chain stitch seaming, should I hide the carry over yarn? Please help me. Thanks a lot.

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