Writing crochet patterns can be challenging, especially when you have repeats in your pattern. It can be frustrating to figure out which repeat punctuation to use and when to use it. Misuse of repeat punctuation in a crochet pattern is one of the most common mistakes I see when working with a client. In my last article, I explained how to properly use asterisks (*) when writing particular repeats. In this article, I will focus on giving you all the details on how to use [brackets] and (parentheses) when working with simple repeats.
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Using (parenthesis), {braces}, or [brackets] may feel a bit more complicated than the standard asterisk (*) that I talked about in a previous post. I promise that once you understand how each of these punctuations operates, you’ll be utilizing them in your patterns without issue!
Since crochet patterns are a fun form of math equations, it makes perfect sense for designers to use these punctuations as well. In mathematics, the symbols ( ), { }, and [ ] are all called brackets. These brackets are used to group numbers and operations to bring clarity to a sequence of actions to be performed.
Brackets indicate that what is enclosed within them has higher priority. Something to keep in mind whether you’re working on a math equation or writing a crochet pattern: brackets always come in pairs. There has to be an opening bracket to indicate the beginning of the term and a closing bracket to indicate the ending. Let’s dive into each bracket type and how to use them in a crochet pattern!
For the sake of simplicity, I will refer to all instructions as rows, but the same rules apply when you write your pattern in rounds.
(Parenthesis or Round Brackets)
In English grammar, parentheses can be used in a sentence (like this) to provide additional information or to separate a phrase from the rest of the sentence. In mathematics, parentheses are used to group numbers and operations together, helping us to understand what needs to be done to complete the calculation.
Using parentheses in a crochet pattern is similar to how they are used in both grammar and math equations.
How to Type the Parenthesis on a Keyboard
Did you know that the word ‘parenthesis’ in Greek means ‘a putting in beside’? This makes perfect sense when you understand how parentheses work in a crochet pattern. To use this repeat punctuation in your crochet pattern, you need to hold the shift key on your keyboard and press the number 9 for the left or opening parenthesis and the number 0 for the right or closing parenthesis. Alternatively, you can hold the alt key and type in 0040 for the left parenthesis and 0041 for the right parenthesis.
Using Parenthesis to Group Stitches
(Parenthesis) are most commonly used to group stitches that should be worked together. The Craft Yarn Council describes parenthesis as ” working instructions within parentheses as many times as directed or working a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space.”
Let me show you a few examples of how to use (parenthesis) in a crochet pattern properly.
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in first 4 sts, (hdc in the next st, dc in the next st, tr in the next st) 6 times, dc in last 5 sts. (16 dc, 6 hdc, 6 tr — 28 total sts)
This means your reader will chain 3, then work 1 double crochet in the next 4 stitches, then they will work the stitches within the parenthesis (1 half double crochet in the next stitch, 1 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 treble crochet in the next stitch) for a total of six times and end the row by working 1 double crochet in the last 5 stitches.
Another example of using (Parenthesis) to group stitches is when your reader will work the grouped stitches all in the same stitch or space. For example:
Row 8: Ch 3, dc in first 4 sts, hdc in next st, dc in next st, (tr, ch 2, tr) into ch-2 sp, dc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in last 5 sts. (12 dc, 2 hdc, 2 tr, 1 ch-2 sp — 16 total sts)
This means the reader will chain 3, work 1 double crochet in the first 4 stitches, half double crochet in the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch, then work all the stitches within the parenthesis (1 treble crochet, chain 2, 1 treble crochet) into the chain 2 space from previous row, then work 1 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 half double crochet in the next stitch, and end the row with 1 double crochet in the last 5 stitches.
When working multiple stitches all in the same stitch or space, you only use parenthesis. You do not use any other repeat punctuation, like brackets or asterisks.
The last way parenthesis can be used to group stitches together is stitch counts at the end of an instruction. For example: (12 dc, 2 hdc, 2 tr, 1 ch-2 sp — 16 total sts)
Designer Extra: Designers will often use (parenthesis) to indicate instructions for multiple sizes of their pattern. This is often the case for garments. Here’s an example of how parenthesis is used:
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc 6 (7, 8), hdc2tog, hdc 2; turn. (9 (10, 11) sts)
[Boxed] or {Curly} Brackets
In English grammar, boxed brackets provide added explanations, corrections, or comments on quoted material in a sentence. Curly brackets, also known as braces, group certain words or sentences together. In mathematics, square brackets are used for more complex grouping of numbers and operations, while curly brackets represent sets.
Using brackets in crochet patterns is similar to math; however, curly and boxed brackets are used in the same manner.
How to Type the Brackets on a Keyboard
Did you know that the first bracket to appear in written English was the chevron 〈 〉? Square brackets made an appearance with some teleprinters back in the 1920s. Curly brackets were not used until the 1960s when the IBM 7030 Stretch was released.
To use boxed brackets, locate the keys that are to the right of the letter P on your keyboard and press either [or] key. Alternatively, you can hold down the alt key and type 91 for the left boxed bracket and 93 for the right boxed bracket. If you wish to use curly brackets, hold down the shift key on your keyboard and press either {or} key that is also located to the right of the letter P. You can also hold down the alt key and type 123 for the left curly bracket and 125 for the right curly bracket.
Using Brackets for Repeats
Brackets are most commonly used within a line of instruction to repeat stitches a particular number of times. The Craft Yarn Council describes brackets as ” work instructions within brackets as many times as directed.”
Let me show you a few examples of how to use [brackets] in a crochet pattern properly.
Row 12: ch 3, dc in the next 3 sts, [dc in the next 2 sts, sc in the next 3 sts] 4 times, dc in the last 4 sts; turn. (28 sts)
This means the reader will chain 3, dc in the next 3 stitches, then they work all the stitches within the brackets [2 double crochet in the next stitch, 1 single crochet in the 3 stitches] a total of 4 times, they will then end their row with 1 double crochet in the last 4 stitches.
It is important to note that when indicating how many times your reader should work the stitches within brackets, you should not use the term “repeat”. This is because technically, they are not repeating anything. When the reader encounters the brackets, they should not complete what is within them until you give them specific instructions. You should tell them exactly what to do with the stitches inside the brackets.
[dc in the next 3 sts, sc in the next 5 sts] 6 times. You want them to work those contained stitches a total of 6 times.
The only time you ever use repeat x times is when you are using asterisks (*).
Curly brackets or braces are used in a similar way as square brackets. They can replace square brackets in a line of instruction, or they can be combined with brackets and parentheses to create repeats within repeats. In my upcoming article, I will discuss these repeats and the order of operations of such repeated repeats!
Key Takeaways:
- Use parenthesis when you are grouping stitches that should be worked together in the line of instruction or in the same stitch.
- When working on a group of stitches in the same stitch, use only parenthesis as per CYC standard.
- Parentheses can be used to group stitch counts for a line of instruction or to indicate instructions for multiple pattern sizes.
- Boxed and Curly brackets group stitches that will be worked a particular number of times in a line of instruction.
- Do not use the term “repeat” when working with brackets. They are not repeating anything but simply working what’s within the brackets a certain number of times.
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