Download the AppPattern Symbols Decoded Your Crochet Stitch Chart
A searchable dictionary for knit and crochet chart symbols. Every glyph comes with its Japanese name (kanji + romaji), US and UK terminology, and a clear how-it's-worked description.
Download Yarnzy on iOS & AndroidHeads up — same symbol, different names in US vs UK. The cross symbol × is "sc" (single crochet) in US patterns but "dc" (double crochet) in UK patterns. Each card shows both.
Basic
7Decreases
2Increases
1Specialty
9わ
wa — “ring”
An adjustable starting ring made by wrapping yarn around your fingers. Work stitches into the ring, then pull the tail to close.
How to read a Japanese pattern chart.
JIS-style charts read from the bottom up and right to left, following the path of the yarn. Here's a real granny-square first round — translated symbol by symbol.
Granny square — round 1, joined.
Reading order, top to bottom.
JIS charts are visual — what you see on the page is what the finished work looks like. Read the symbols in the order yarn travels, usually starting from the centre or bottom-right.
Chain ring
わ (wa) — "ring." Start with a magic ring or short chain joined into a circle.
Double crochet (US) / Treble (UK)
長編み (naga-ami) — "long knit." The T-with-one-bar symbol is the standard tall stitch.
Chain
鎖編み (kusari-ami) — "chain knit." Each circle is one chain. Two circles at the corner = ch-2 corner space.
Continue around
Each side of the square reads: 3 dc, ch-2 corner, 3 dc. Repeat 4 times, then slip stitch to close.
How to use the dictionary.
Three quick ways to find a symbol — by glyph, by abbreviation, or by Japanese name.
01
Pick the craft
Switch between crochet and knitting symbol sets. Each craft has its own glyph vocabulary — about 17 crochet symbols and 16 knitting symbols here.
02
Filter or search
Browse by category (Basic, Decreases, Increases, Specialty, Cables) or search across abbreviations, Japanese names, romaji, and descriptions all at once.
03
Tap a card
Each symbol expands inline with the large glyph, US and UK terminology side by side, the Japanese name with kanji and romaji, how it's worked, and common uses.
Questions makers actually ask.
Quick answers on chart conventions, knit vs crochet symbols, and reading patterns from charts.
No — they use different conventions. This tool keeps them separate so you always see the right symbol set for your craft.
- knitting charts: knit, purl, yo, k2tog, ssk, cables
- crochet charts: ch, sc, dc, tr, and stitch-height symbols
- switch craft at the top to load the matching legend
More tools from Skein.
A free toolkit for everything you measure, swatch, or substitute. No sign-up required.
Open tool →Yarn Substitution
You found the perfect pattern. Now find the yarn that actually works for it. Enter your yardage and weight and get the exact skein count before you buy anything.
Open tool →Hook & Needle Chart
US, UK, metric, all three systems in one place. Find your hook or needle size and see exactly which yarn weight it pairs with, no conversion guessing needed.
Open tool →Unit Conversion
Switch between meters, yards, grams, and ounces instantly. Whether your pattern is American or European, your measurements always make sense.
Open tool →Stitch Calculator
Know your gauge, know your finished width. Enter both and get the exact cast-on stitch count your project needs, no math, no margin for error.
Take the symbol legend to your project.
The full toolkit, plus barcode scanning for skein lookups and offline access. iOS and Android, free.
Built for crocheters & knitters • Knit + crochet charts • Beginner friendly
Scan to Download the App
Start your next project with confidence