Project-first symbol system

See the mark. Know the move.

Do not memorise a giant dictionary. Start with the five marks in the granny square coaster, then see what each one means in yarn and where it is used.

Practise in Make Mode

This project chart is the practice context. It remains a transparent technical Draft.

The five marks to start with

Every card answers the same practical questions.

What is it? Where does it go? What should it look like after you make it? Where can you practise it in the current project?

US ch

UK chain

Chain

What it means: A foundation or spacing loop.
Where to work: It is made from the live working loop, rather than inserted into a previous stitch.
What it looks like: A small, flexible oval loop. Several chains make an open bridge or space.
Practise in the coaster: Look for chain spaces at the coaster corners once the project is tested.

US sl st

UK ss

Slip stitch

What it means: A low stitch used to join without adding height.
Where to work: Insert into the project-specified first stitch or join point, then pull the yarn through the target and the loop on the hook.
What it looks like: A small, almost flat connection at the top edge of a round.
Practise in the coaster: Used to close joined rounds after the project instruction specifies the join point.

US dc

UK treble crochet

Double crochet

What it means: A tall stitch that builds the coaster groups.
Where to work: The project must name the exact target: center ring, chain space, or stitch. The symbol alone does not always tell you which.
What it looks like: A tall post with a top loop and one visible crossbar.
Practise in the coaster: This is the main stitch in the coaster groups.

Open the Double crochet action reminder

Reference shelf

Useful later, not required for this project.

Find a symbol

Single crochet

US: sc · UK: double crochet

Usually into the top loops or a named space; the project must identify the target.

Half double crochet

US: hdc · UK: half treble crochet

Usually into a named stitch or space after one yarn over.

Treble crochet

US: tr · UK: double treble crochet

Usually into a named stitch or space after two yarn overs.

Increase

US: inc · UK: increase

Multiple stitches enter one explicitly named target.

Decrease

US: dec · UK: decrease

The project identifies two or more targets that are worked together.

Front post stitch

US: fp · UK: front post

The hook goes around a vertical post, not through the top loops.

Back post stitch

US: bp · UK: back post

The hook travels around a vertical post from the reverse direction.

Next step

Read the coaster chart in order.

Symbols are the vocabulary. The chart lesson shows how the vocabulary becomes a route through one actual project.

Read this chart