Reading patterns- Written Instructions OR Stitch Diagrams?

[*Owly*]

Hi everyone,

I have a question for you, I've been writing patterns for the past 6-ish months or so and have been wondering, when you read patterns do you prefer:

written instructions?

or do you like the stitch diagrams (you know, like the ones in the japanese crochet pattern books)?

or do you like both together?

or are you just such a pattern reading champ that it doesn't matter one way or the other?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

[BoxOfRocks]

I see more patterns with written instructions than diagrams.  When I first started crocheting, I preferred diagrams, but at this point I'm so used to seeing written instructions, I'd probably need a refresher.  Why not have both together?  It might be a good double check.

[Horse Power]

I tend to prefer written, maybe because that's how I learned. I can use diagrams, if I have to. It's handy if there's both, so you can check the diagram if the written directions seem vague or if you suspect an error. But if I could only pick one preference: written. I'm this way with knitting, too, I prefer written over charts.

[itscribe]

I think it somewhat depends. If it's something fairly straightforward like Amigurumi with only one or two stitches and mainly increases and decreases - a diagram is IMHO only helpful to overcome language differences.

I think with something more complicated or at least hard to explain, both writing and diagrams are better.

The one pitfall of only using diagrams is that you still have to fully explain which symbol means which stitch and ensure that both American and European readers know how to make the stitch.

[suinoko]

I prefer written, but that's probably because it's how I learned. But like itscribe mentioned with regard to diagrams, it's the same with stitches actually. When I read a book from the UK a double crochet is a single crochet, and a triple crochet is a double crochet. It can cause some confusion at first but generally I just think about where the pattern originated and it becomes clear.

It's strange how the same craft has different standards in different countries - you would've thought they'd devise something easy for everyone to follow

[itscribe]

Funny you should mention the UK vs US standards. I've been working on a new site and the first few patterns I put up were some old ones from the UK. I realized late last night that I used the UK dc instead of sc on a pattern I worked up. Will have to be clarifying that one today.   

I think more than anything the most helpful aspect of any pattern is at minimum at least one clear, close-up of the finished item. In the case of my pattern, anyone looking at the picture would clearly be able to tell that I am using the regular crochet stitch rather than the long one that requires an extra loop on the hook.

I prefer written, but that's probably because it's how I learned. But like itscribe mentioned with regard to diagrams, it's the same with stitches actually. When I read a book from the UK a double crochet is a single crochet, and a triple crochet is a double crochet. It can cause some confusion at first but generally I just think about where the pattern originated and it becomes clear.

It's strange how the same craft has different standards in different countries - you would've thought they'd devise something easy for everyone to follow

[whyme81687]

typically i prefer written, but when i get complicated stitches, or patterns that aren't written clearly the diagram can be a life saver. Really though I'm usually just fine with either. Although i agree with making sure that the diagram is the same from like American to any other country. Because i've dealt with patterns in other languages tried to use the diagram and been completely confuzzled.

[Eliea]

I prefer written because I don't have much experience reading diagrams.  But I do like both together because they make it click to me.

[*Owly*]

Thanks for the reponses! Definitely keep them coming, you're bringing up things that I hadn't thought of!

[gnathalie2]

I usually use written patterns, but i have a lot of japanese diagram patterns that i use.  It usually doesn't matter all that much to me, i end up just following the numbers either way!!!
Nathalie