Portuguese crochet has its own unique terminology and techniques. One of the most distinctive is the Ponto Torcido (Twisted Stitch) — a method of starting a row or creating mid-row motifs using clusters of double crochets worked together and then into the same base.
In this guide, you will learn:
- The full meaning of Portuguese crochet terms
- Step-by-step how-to for Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira (Twisted Stitch for row start)
- Step-by-step how-to for Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira (Twisted Stitch for mid-row)
- Legend translations for basic stitches
- How to read Portuguese crochet diagrams
Why Learn Portuguese Crochet Terms?
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Access Brazilian & Portuguese patterns | Portugal and Brazil have rich crochet traditions, especially for lace, doilies, and garments |
| Unique techniques | The “Ponto Torcido” (Twisted Stitch) is less common in English patterns but creates beautiful textured motifs |
| Understand European charts | Portuguese symbols follow international standards, but the written terms are distinct |
| Expand your crochet vocabulary | Learning terms in multiple languages makes you a more versatile crocheter |
Part 1: Legend (Legenda) — Basic Stitches
Your image begins with a Legenda (legend/key) defining the basic symbols.
Correntinha (corr) — Chain Stitch
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Portuguese | Correntinha |
| Abbreviation | corr |
| English | Chain stitch |
| Symbol | ○ or ellipse |
How to Make a Correntinha:
- Make a slip knot on your hook.
- Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
- Repeat to form a chain.
Ponto Baixo (pb) — Single Crochet
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Portuguese | Ponto Baixo |
| Abbreviation | pb |
| English | Single crochet |
| Symbol | ✚ or + |
How to Make a Ponto Baixo:
- Insert hook into the stitch.
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through both loops.
Pontos Altos (pa) — Double Crochets
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Portuguese | Pontos Altos |
| Abbreviation | pa |
| English | Double crochet (US) / Treble (UK) |
Your image uses “Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos” and “Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base” — these are the two components of the Ponto Torcido.
Part 2: Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira
(Twisted Stitch for Beginning of Row)
This is the signature technique in your image. It creates a decorative, textured start to a new row without using a simple turning chain.
| Portuguese | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira | Twisted Stitch for beginning of row |
The Formula (from your image):
= { [2 Correntinhas (corr) + 3 Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos (3paf)] + [3 Correntinhas (corr) + 3 Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base (3pampb)] }
Let me break this down step by step.
Component A: 2 Correntinhas + 3 Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos (3paf)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 2 Correntinhas (corr) | 2 chain stitches |
| 3 Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos (3paf) | 3 double crochets closed together (3-dc cluster) |
How to Make 3 Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos (3-dc cluster):
- Yarn over, insert hook into the designated stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (leave 2 loops on hook — do not complete).
- Repeat step 1 two more times into the same stitch (4 loops on hook).
- Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops. The 3 double crochets are now “closed together” (fechados juntos).
Component B: 3 Correntinhas + 3 Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base (3pampb)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 3 Correntinhas (corr) | 3 chain stitches |
| 3 Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base (3pampb) | 3 double crochets in the same base stitch |
How to Make 3 Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base:
- Work 1 double crochet into the stitch.
- Work a second double crochet into the same stitch.
- Work a third double crochet into the same stitch.
These are not closed together — they fan out.
Putting It Together — Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira
Complete Step-by-Step:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Work 2 chain stitches (2 correntinhas). |
| 2 | Work 3 double crochets closed together (3paf) into the first stitch or space. This forms a cluster. |
| 3 | Work 3 chain stitches (3 correntinhas). |
| 4 | Work 3 double crochets into the same base stitch (3pampb) where you worked the cluster. |
Result: A twisted, textured motif that stands up from the row start — hence the name “Ponto Torcido” (Twisted Stitch).
Your image also includes a diagram showing this sequence:
3Carr (3rd row)
2Carr (2nd row)
01-1oCar (1st row)
Base
Início (Beginning)The twisted stitch creates a scalloped or braided edge along the side of the work.
Part 3: Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira
(Twisted Stitch for Middle of Row)
The same concept, but worked in the middle of a row (not at the beginning).
| Portuguese | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira | Twisted Stitch for middle of row |
The Formula:
= { 4 Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos (4paf) + 4 Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base (4pampb) }
| Component | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 4 Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos (4paf) | 4 double crochets closed together (4-dc cluster) |
| 4 Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base (4pampb) | 4 double crochets in the same base stitch |
Step-by-Step for Mid-Row Twisted Stitch:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Work 4 double crochets closed together (4paf) into the stitch or space. This is a 4-dc cluster. |
| 2 | Work 4 double crochets into the same base stitch (4pampb) where you worked the cluster. |
Note: Unlike the row-start version, the mid-row version has no chains between the cluster and the fan. The two halves are worked directly one after the other.
Why “Twisted”?
The name “Ponto Torcido” comes from the way the cluster (fechados juntos) and the fan (no mesmo ponto base) are worked into the same base, creating a twisted, braided, or scalloped appearance that stands out from the fabric.
Part 4: Understanding the Diagram (Diagrama)
Your image includes a diagram numbered 1 through 20 across the top:
00000000000000000003
34567891011121314151617181920| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Row 1 (01-1o Car) | Base row / foundation |
| Row 2 (2Carr) | Second row — likely where the twisted stitches begin |
| Row 3 (3Carr) | Third row — completing the pattern |
| Numbers 3–20 | Stitch counts or chain counts (likely a multiple of 4, as the pattern says “Múltiplo de 4”) |
“Múltiplo de 4” (Multiple of 4)
Your image ends with “Múltiplo de 4” — this means the pattern repeat is a multiple of 4 stitches. When starting your foundation chain, count in multiples of 4 (e.g., 20, 24, 28, 32 chains).
Full Step-by-Step Pattern Using Ponto Torcido
Materials
- Any yarn (sample uses medium weight)
- Appropriate crochet hook
- Stitch markers (helpful for counting multiples of 4)
Foundation
Chain a multiple of 4 stitches (e.g., 20 chains for a small swatch).
Row 1 (Base Row / 01-1o Car)
- Work 1 double crochet (pa) in the 4th chain from hook.
- Work 1 double crochet in each chain across.
- Total stitches = multiple of 4 minus the turning chain.
Row 2 (2Carr) — Begin Ponto Torcido
- For the start of the row: Work Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira (2 ch, 3paf cluster, 3 ch, 3pampb fan).
- For the middle of the row: Work Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira (4paf cluster + 4pampb fan) in each multiple-of-4 space.
- Continue across the row.
Row 3 (3Carr) — Complete the Pattern
- Work single crochets (pb) or double crochets across, following the diagram to finish the motif.
Final Row
- Edge with single crochets or picots as desired.
Quick Reference Table: Portuguese to English
| Portuguese | Abbreviation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Correntinha | corr | Chain stitch |
| Ponto Baixo | pb | Single crochet |
| Ponto Alto | pa | Double crochet (US) |
| Pontos Altos Fechados Juntos | paf | Double crochets closed together (cluster) |
| Pontos Altos no Mesmo Ponto Base | pampb | Double crochets in same base stitch (fan) |
| Ponto Torcido | — | Twisted Stitch |
| Início de Carreira | — | Beginning of row |
| Meio de Carreira | — | Middle of row |
| Múltiplo de | — | Multiple of |
| Carreira / Carr | carr | Row |
| Base | — | Base / foundation |
How to Practice the Ponto Torcido
Small Swatch (Multiple of 4: 16 chains)
Foundation: Chain 16.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (14 dc). Chain 3 and turn.
Row 2 (Start): Work Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira:
- Ch 2 (counts as first part)
- Work 3paf (3-dc cluster) into the first stitch
- Ch 3
- Work 3pampb (3 dc in same stitch) — into the same stitch as the cluster
Row 2 (Middle): Skip 3 stitches, then work Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira:
- Work 4paf (4-dc cluster) into the next stitch
- Work 4pampb (4 dc in same stitch) — into the same stitch as the cluster
- Repeat across to end
Row 3: Chain 3, work 1 dc in each stitch across, or follow your diagram.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cluster won’t close | Loops too tight | Keep loops loose until final pull-through |
| Twisted stitch looks flat | Forgot the chains between components | Row start needs 2 ch + 3 ch; mid-row needs no chains |
| Wrong stitch count | Not a multiple of 4 | Count your foundation chains before starting |
| Confusing paf vs. pampb | Similar abbreviations | paf = closed together (cluster); pampb = same base (fan) |
| Row 2 too bulky | Yarn too thick for stitch density | Use a lighter weight yarn or larger hook |
What to Make with Ponto Torcido
| Project | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Scarves | The twisted stitch creates a beautiful textured edge |
| Blanket borders | Ponto Torcido makes a scalloped, braided finish |
| Doilies | Portuguese crochet is famous for lace; this stitch fits perfectly |
| Pillow covers | Adds a dimensional, twisted motif |
| Cowl necklines | The stitch stands up nicely around a collar |
SEO Blog Post Optimization
| Meta Tag | Suggested Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Portuguese Crochet Guide: Ponto Torcido (Twisted Stitch) & Advanced Clusters |
| Meta Description | Learn the Portuguese Ponto Torcido (Twisted Stitch) for row starts and mid-row motifs. Includes step-by-step instructions for 3paf, 4paf, 3pampb, and 4pampb. |
| URL slug | /portuguese-crochet-ponto-torcido-guide |
| Keywords | Ponto Torcido, crochet portugues, pontos altos fechados juntos, pontos altos no mesmo ponto base, correntinha, ponto baixo, multiple of 4 crochet |
| Alt text for image | Portuguese crochet diagram showing Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira and Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira with 3paf, 4paf, 3pampb, 4pampb and multiple of 4 pattern |
Final Pro Tip: Reading Portuguese Crochet Diagrams
Portuguese diagrams (like the one in your image) often show:
- Bottom to top reading direction
- Right to left for right-handed crocheters
- Numbers indicating row numbers (1o Car, 2 Carr, 3 Carr)
- Base (Base) as the foundation chain
The Ponto Torcido is a beautiful, signature Portuguese technique. Once you master it, you will recognize it in traditional Portuguese and Brazilian lace patterns.
Summary: You Can Now Work the Ponto Torcido
| Technique | You Can Now… |
|---|---|
| Correntinha (chain) | Start any foundation |
| Ponto Baixo (sc) | Work dense fabric |
| 3paf (3-dc cluster) | Make textured clusters |
| 3pampb (3 dc in same base) | Make small fans |
| 4paf (4-dc cluster) | Make larger clusters |
| 4pampb (4 dc in same base) | Make larger fans |
| Ponto Torcido de Início de Carreira | Start rows with a twisted motif |
| Ponto Torcido de Meio de Carreira | Add twisted motifs anywhere |
| Múltiplo de 4 | Count stitches correctly for repeats |
Bookmark this guide and refer back whenever you encounter a Portuguese crochet pattern or the beautiful Ponto Torcido.
