Crocheting in Russian

Yesterday, I found a pattern by Ukrainian designer - Holly by Viktoriia Gul. I've always admired her work, and she's just started designing her own doily pieces recently. I saw Holly and I really wanted to make it, but the problem was that she only wrote the pattern in Russian. Crochet terminology, as fiber artists know, is a completely different language in itself.

Usually, this would not be a problem since many Russian and Eastern European designers chart their patterns rather than write them, to make the instructions universal.  However, as a new designer myself, I've realized how hard it is just to write a crochet pattern that I couldn't imagine trying to chart it, especially since my designs are textured and not flat like many charted patterns.

So I did more research on Russian crochet terminology. What I found out was that there's not a good resource for translating patterns from Russian to English. Here's what I gathered from Holly to use on other patterns as well.

I don't know any Russian, so please use this translation below at your own risk. I plan on updating this list as I try out more written Russian patterns. :)

Russian to American Crochet Terminology Translation

Соединить = Join

Начальный = chainless 

Начальный ССН = Chainless Starting Double Crochet (CSDC)
HCCH = CSDC

Basic Stitches

CT = skip

ССТ = SLST

ВП  = chain

СБН = SC

ПСН = HDC (half double crochet)

CCH = DC (double crochet)

CC2H = TR (triple crochet)

CC3H = DTR (double treble crochet)

CC4H = TRTR (triple treble crochet)

Кластер = cluster

Кластеров = clusters

Попкорн = popcorn

Попкорнов = popcorns

Сплит = split

Сплитов = splits

арки= space

арок = spaces

РЛ = FP (Front Post)

РИ = BP (Back Post)

пико = picots 

Decreases
Убавка-2-СБН = SC2TOG

Убавка-3-СБН = SC3TOG

Directions (not stitches)

в = in or into

соединить в кольцо. = in the circle (to start doily)

Отметить = mark (for special stitch or next rounds)

вокруг  = around

вокруг начального = around the first stitch

ССТ в 1-ю арку = slst into space

в ту же арку = in same space

в ту же арку куда был провязан последний = in previous space just used

в последнюю арку предыдущего ряда = in previous space of last row

в следующую арку = in next space

в последнюю арку предыдущего ряда и следующую арку = in previous space and next space

Last updated: April 23rd, 2018

Irish Style Magic Loop

I've got a new tutorial for everyone regarding crochet and starting a thickened magic loop circle. I learned this technique from an Irish Flower crochet pattern online. I like using this method for my doilies that start with single stitches (like Mint Crystal or Petals).  It is an alternative way to start a doily (similar result to doing a CH 7, slst in first chain, but without the run on top of the round).

I am using a 2.0mm hook with a thickened end (if you have a regular steel hook with no cushion, you can use a pencil or pen).

First, wrap your yarn around the end of the crochet hook five times.

Then, insert your hook into the circle, YO, pull loop up.

For SCs: CH 1, 16 SCs in loop 

For DCs: CSDC, 15 DCs in loop

And there you go! :) You've started an Irish-style cast on for one of my doilies (or any type of doily!)

Crochet Tutorials for Complex Stitches

Hi Everyone,

With my new pattern, Starburst, recently released, I thought I would share with you all some great tutorials I have found for the harder crochet techniques and stitches (magic loop, BP, FP, popcorns, splits, and chainless stitches).


So, below are some tutorials I've gathered from other sites or videos on the internet on:

• Magic Loop
• Back Post (BP) and Front Post (FP) crochet
• Double Crochet Splits
• Chainless Double Crochet (CSDC)
• Chainless Triple Crochet (CSTC)

Please let me know if there's anything else you need help on as I'll be happy to help out! :)