Understanding How To Crochet Repeats Shown In Parenthesis

Parenthesis ( ) in a pattern are sometimes used to show repeats. When you see ( ) in a pattern with a number of times after it, it means to repeat the directions that are in between the ( ). For example:

The directions between the ( ) above means to: double crochet in next single crochet, chain 2, skip next two single crochet ... which is once through the directions in between the ( ) ... then do it again: double crochet in next single crochet, chain 2, skip next two single crochet ... at this point, you have crocheted the directions in between the ( ) twice.

When there is a group of stitches to be worked all in one same stitch, parenthesis are often used to set this group of instructions apart, so that it is easier for you to see which stitches are all to be worked in just one stitch. For example:

In the example above, all the stitches shown in between the ( ) would be crocheted in the next double crochet.

Another way that parenthesis are used in a pattern is to enclose sentences which are extra explanation to help understand parts of a pattern better.

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