Chinese Crochet symbol diagrams are universal. Whether you are reading a pattern from China, Japan, Russia, Europe, or the Americas, the symbols remain the same. This guide translates Chinese crochet symbols (钩针符号) into clear, step-by-step instructions.
In this guide, you will learn:
- The full meaning of 30+ Chinese crochet symbols
- Step-by-step how-to for clusters, V-stitches, shells, picots, and increases
- English translations for each term
- When and why to use each stitch
Why Learn Chinese Crochet Symbols?
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Access thousands of patterns | China produces massive numbers of crochet diagrams, especially for amigurumi and garments |
| Understand any chart | Symbols are international — learn once, use anywhere |
| Follow video tutorials | Many Chinese crochet YouTube channels use symbol charts |
| Shop on Taobao, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) | Pattern books from China are affordable and beautifully designed |
Part 1: Clusters & Decreases (并一针)
In Chinese crochet, 并一针 (bìng yī zhēn) means “join/combine into one stitch” — this is a decrease or cluster. The number before tells you how many stitches are combined.
长针四针并一针 (4 Double Crochets Joined Together)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 长针四针并一针 |
| Pinyin | cháng zhēn sì zhēn bìng yī zhēn |
| English | 4 double crochets joined together (4-dc cluster / decrease) |
| Symbol number | 61 |
How to Make 4 Double Crochets Joined Together:
- Work 1 double crochet but do not complete the final pull-through (leave 2 loops on hook).
- Work a second incomplete double crochet into the same stitch or next stitch (depending on pattern) — now 3 loops on hook.
- Work a third incomplete double crochet — now 4 loops on hook.
- Work a fourth incomplete double crochet — now 5 loops on hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. The 4 stitches are now “joined together” (并一针).
长针五针并一针 (5 Double Crochets Joined Together)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 长针五针并一针 |
| English | 5 double crochets joined together (5-dc cluster) |
| Symbol number | 62 |
How to Make 5 Double Crochets Joined Together:
- Follow the same method as above, but with 5 incomplete double crochets.
- You will have 6 loops on your hook before the final pull-through.
两个两个长针的 (Two and Two Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 两个两个长针的 |
| English | Two groups of two double crochets |
| Symbol number | 63 |
This likely means a paired cluster or two separate 2-dc groups worked in a specific sequence (e.g., (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the same space — the beginning of a granny square corner).
两个三个长针的 (Two and Three Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 两个三个长针的 |
| English | Two groups of three double crochets |
| Symbol number | 64 |
This is a larger paired cluster — (3 dc, ch 1 or 2, 3 dc) in the same space.
SEO Tip: “并一针” (bìng yī zhēn) is a key term in Chinese crochet patterns. It always means you are combining stitches together (decrease or cluster).
Part 2: V-Stitches & Crossed Stitches (V形针 & 交叉针)
1针分3针长针 (1 Stitch Divided into 3 Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 1针分3针长针 |
| English | 1 stitch divided into 3 double crochets |
| Meaning | Work 3 double crochets into the same stitch (increase) |
| Symbol number | 65 |
This is the opposite of a decrease — you are increasing by working multiple stitches into one base.
How to Make 1 Stitch into 3 Double Crochets:
- 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.
两个V形针 (Two V-Stitches)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 两个V形针 |
| English | Two V-stitches |
| Symbol number | 66 |
A V-stitch (V形针) is typically (dc, ch 1, dc) worked into the same stitch. “Two V-stitches” means two of these V-shapes, likely worked in sequence.
变化的长针 (Variation of Double Crochet)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 变化的长针 |
| English | Variation of double crochet |
| Symbol number | 75, 76, 77, 78 (multiple variations) |
“变化的长针” indicates a modified double crochet — usually with chains inserted or with a different wrapping sequence.
| Number | Variation |
|---|---|
| 76 | 长针中间一个辫子针 — Double crochet with one chain in the middle |
| 77 | 变化的长针中间一个辫子针 — Varied double crochet with one chain in the middle |
| 78 | 长针中间三个辫子针 — Double crochet with three chains in the middle |
SEO Tip: “V形针” (V xíng zhēn) means V-stitch — a common lace motif.
Part 3: Increases (加针 / 分针)
Increases are marked with 分 (fēn) meaning “divide” or 加 (jiā) meaning “add.”
1针分2针短针 / 短针加针 (1 Stitch into 2 Single Crochets / Single Crochet Increase)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 1针分2针短针 / 短针加针 |
| English | 1 stitch into 2 single crochets / single crochet increase |
| Symbol number | 67 |
How to Make a Single Crochet Increase:
- Work 1 single crochet into the stitch.
- Work another single crochet into the same stitch.
1针分3针短针 / 短针加2针 (1 Stitch into 3 Single Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 1针分3针短针 / 短针加2针 |
| English | 1 stitch into 3 single crochets (single crochet increase by 2) |
| Symbol number | 68 |
How to Make:
- Work 3 single crochets into the same stitch.
短针中间一个辫子针的加针 (Single Crochet Increase with a Chain in the Middle)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 短针中间一个辫子针的加针 |
| English | Single crochet increase with a chain in the middle |
| Symbol number | 69 |
How to Make:
- Work 1 single crochet.
- Chain 1.
- Work another single crochet into the same stitch.
1针分2针中长针 / 中长针加针 (1 Stitch into 2 Half Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 1针分2针中长针 / 中长针加针 |
| English | 1 stitch into 2 half double crochets (hdc increase) |
| Symbol number | 70 |
1针分3针中长针 / 中长针加2针 (1 Stitch into 3 Half Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 1针分3针中长针 / 中长针加2针 |
| English | 1 stitch into 3 half double crochets |
| Symbol number | 72 |
1针分2针长针 / 长针加针 (1 Stitch into 2 Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 1针分2针长针 / 长针加针 |
| English | 1 stitch into 2 double crochets (dc increase) |
| Symbol number | 74 |
SEO Tip: “加针” (jiā zhēn) means “add stitch” — an increase. “分” (fēn) means “divide” — also an increase (dividing one stitch into multiple).
Part 4: Shell Stitches (贝壳针)
5个长针的贝壳针 (5 Double Crochet Shell Stitch)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 5个长针的贝壳针 |
| English | 5 double crochet shell stitch |
| Symbol number | 81 |
How to Make a 5 Double Crochet Shell:
- Work 5 double crochets into the same stitch or space.
- Do not join them at the top — they fan out like a shell (贝壳).
变化的5个长针的贝壳针 (Variation of 5 Double Crochet Shell)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 变化的5个长针的贝壳针 |
| English | Variation of 5 double crochet shell |
| Symbol number | 82 |
This likely means a shell with chains between the double crochets, or a shell worked over multiple rows.
四个长针中间一个辫子针的贝壳针 (4 Double Crochet Shell with 1 Chain in the Middle)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 四个长针中间一个辫子针的贝壳针 |
| English | 4 double crochet shell with 1 chain between each |
| Symbol number | 83 |
How to Make:
- (Dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) — all in the same stitch.
变化的四个长针中间一个辫子针的贝壳针 (Variation of 4-Dc Shell with 1 Chain)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 变化的四个长针中间一个辫子针的贝壳针 |
| English | Variation of 4-dc shell with 1 chain |
| Symbol number | 84 |
六个长针中间两个辫子针的贝壳针 (6 Double Crochet Shell with 2 Chains Between)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 六个长针中间两个辫子针的贝壳针 |
| English | 6 double crochet shell with 2 chains between each |
| Symbol number | 85 |
How to Make:
- (Dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc) — six double crochets total, with 2 chains between each.
SEO Tip: “贝壳针” (bèi ké zhēn) means “shell stitch” — one of the most popular decorative stitches for borders and baby blankets.
Part 5: Horizontal & Special Stitches
横着的3针中长针 (Horizontal 3 Half Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 横着的3针中长针 |
| English | Horizontal 3 half double crochets |
| Symbol number | 71 |
“横着的” (héng zhe) means “horizontal” — this stitch is worked sideways or across the previous row rather than vertically.
横着的3针长针 (Horizontal 3 Double Crochets)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 横着的3针长针 |
| English | Horizontal 3 double crochets |
| Symbol number | 86 |
These horizontal stitches are used for surface crochet, cables, or post stitch variations.
拉出的立针处钩织中长针3针的枣形针 (Bobble Stitch)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 拉出的立针处钩织中长针3针的枣形针 |
| English | Bobble stitch: 3 half double crochets worked at the pulled-up standing stitch |
| Symbol number | 88 |
“枣形针” (zǎo xíng zhēn) means “date-shaped stitch” — a bobble or popcorn stitch that resembles a date fruit.
How to Make a Bobble Stitch (枣形针):
- Work 3 incomplete half double crochets into the same stitch.
- Yarn over and pull through all loops.
- The stitch pops out like a small bobble.
Part 6: Picots (狗牙针)
3针辫子针狗牙针 (3-Chain Picot)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 3针辫子针狗牙针 |
| English | 3-chain picot (dog-tooth stitch) |
| Symbol number | 89 |
狗牙针 (gǒu yá zhēn) literally means “dog tooth stitch” — the Chinese name for a picot.
How to Make a 3-Chain Picot:
- Chain 3.
- Insert hook into the first chain (or into the base stitch).
- Slip stitch to close the loop.
狗牙针加一个锁针 (Picot with One Chain Added)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 狗牙针加一个锁针 |
| English | Picot with one chain added |
| Symbol number | 90 |
| Likely meaning | Chain 1, then work a 3-chain picot — a longer, more decorative loop |
SEO Tip: “狗牙针” (gǒu yá zhēn) is a charming name — imagine small dog teeth lining the edge of your crochet.
Complete Quick Reference Table (Chinese to English)
| # | Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 长针四针并一针 | cháng zhēn sì zhēn bìng yī zhēn | 4 dc cluster |
| 62 | 长针五针并一针 | cháng zhēn wǔ zhēn bìng yī zhēn | 5 dc cluster |
| 63 | 两个两个长针的 | liǎng ge liǎng ge cháng zhēn de | Two groups of 2 dc |
| 64 | 两个三个长针的 | liǎng ge sān ge cháng zhēn de | Two groups of 3 dc |
| 65 | 1针分3针长针 | yī zhēn fēn sān zhēn cháng zhēn | 1 st into 3 dc |
| 66 | 两个V形针 | liǎng ge V xíng zhēn | Two V-stitches |
| 67 | 1针分2针短针 | yī zhēn fēn èr zhēn duǎn zhēn | 1 st into 2 sc (increase) |
| 68 | 1针分3针短针 | yī zhēn fēn sān zhēn duǎn zhēn | 1 st into 3 sc |
| 69 | 短针中间一个辫子针的加针 | duǎn zhēn zhōng jiān yī ge biàn zi zhēn de jiā zhēn | Sc increase with ch in middle |
| 70 | 1针分2针中长针 | yī zhēn fēn èr zhēn zhōng cháng zhēn | 1 st into 2 hdc |
| 71 | 横着的3针中长针 | héng zhe de sān zhēn zhōng cháng zhēn | Horizontal 3 hdc |
| 72 | 1针分3针中长针 | yī zhēn fēn sān zhēn zhōng cháng zhēn | 1 st into 3 hdc |
| 73 | 变化的中长针 | biàn huà de zhōng cháng zhēn | Varied hdc |
| 74 | 1针分2针长针 | yī zhēn fēn èr zhēn cháng zhēn | 1 st into 2 dc |
| 75 | 变化的长针 | biàn huà de cháng zhēn | Varied dc |
| 76 | 长针中间一个辫子针 | cháng zhēn zhōng jiān yī ge biàn zi zhēn | Dc with 1 ch in middle |
| 77 | 变化的长针中间一个辫子针 | biàn huà de cháng zhēn zhōng jiān yī ge biàn zi zhēn | Varied dc with 1 ch |
| 78 | 长针中间三个辫子针 | cháng zhēn zhōng jiān sān ge biàn zi zhēn | Dc with 3 ch in middle |
| 79 | 针/长针加2针 | zhēn / cháng zhēn jiā èr zhēn | Stitch / dc add 2 sts |
| 80 | 两个三个中长针 | liǎng ge sān ge zhōng cháng zhēn | Two groups of 3 hdc |
| 81 | 5个长针的贝壳针 | wǔ ge cháng zhēn de bèi ké zhēn | 5 dc shell |
| 82 | 变化的5个长针的贝壳针 | biàn huà de wǔ ge cháng zhēn de bèi ké zhēn | Varied 5 dc shell |
| 83 | 四个长针中间一个辫子针的贝壳针 | sì ge cháng zhēn zhōng jiān yī ge biàn zi zhēn de bèi ké zhēn | 4 dc shell with 1 ch |
| 84 | 变化的四个长针中间一个辫子针的贝壳针 | biàn huà de sì ge cháng zhēn zhōng jiān yī ge biàn zi zhēn de bèi ké zhēn | Varied 4 dc shell with 1 ch |
| 85 | 六个长针中间两个辫子针的贝壳针 | liù ge cháng zhēn zhōng jiān liǎng ge biàn zi zhēn de bèi ké zhēn | 6 dc shell with 2 ch |
| 86 | 横着的3针长针 | héng zhe de sān zhēn cháng zhēn | Horizontal 3 dc |
| 87 | (not shown) | — | — |
| 88 | 拉出的立针处钩织中长针3针的枣形针 | lā chū de lì zhēn chù gōu zhī zhōng cháng zhēn sān zhēn de zǎo xíng zhēn | Bobble stitch (3 hdc) |
| 89 | 3针辫子针狗牙针 | sān zhēn biàn zi zhēn gǒu yá zhēn | 3-ch picot (dog tooth) |
| 90 | 狗牙针加一个锁针 | gǒu yá zhēn jiā yī ge suǒ zhēn | Picot with 1 chain |
How to Practice Chinese Crochet Stitches
Row 1 (Foundation)
Chain 25.
Row 2 (Increases)
- Ch 1, sc in first st.
- Work 1针分2针短针 (sc increase) in next st.
- Work 1针分3针短针 (sc into 3 sts) in next st.
- Repeat across.
Row 3 (Clusters)
- Ch 3, turn.
- Work 长针四针并一针 (4-dc cluster) in next st.
- Skip 2 sts, repeat across.
Row 4 (V-stitches)
- Ch 3, turn.
- Work 两个V形针 (two V-stitches) in next chain space.
- Repeat across.
Row 5 (Shells)
- Ch 3, turn.
- Work 5个长针的贝壳针 (5 dc shell) in next stitch.
- Skip 2 sts, repeat across.
Row 6 (Picots)
- Ch 1, sc in first st.
- Work 3针辫子针狗牙针 (3-ch picot) after each sc across.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Confusing 分 (increase) with 并 (decrease) | Similar characters | 分 = divide into more stitches; 并 = combine into one |
| Bobble stitch flattens | Pulled too tight | Keep loops loose until final pull-through |
| Shell stitch looks like a cluster | Joined the top | Do not close — let stitches fan out |
| Horizontal stitch confusing | Worked sideways | Practice on a swatch with a diagram |
| Picot flops | Chain too tight | Make the 3 chains loose |
Chinese Crochet Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 钩针 | gōu zhēn | Crochet hook |
| 短针 | duǎn zhēn | Single crochet |
| 中长针 | zhōng cháng zhēn | Half double crochet |
| 长针 | cháng zhēn | Double crochet |
| 辫子针 | biàn zi zhēn | Chain stitch |
| 引拔针 | yǐn bá zhēn | Slip stitch |
| 并一针 | bìng yī zhēn | Join together (decrease/cluster) |
| 分针 | fēn zhēn | Divide (increase) |
| 加针 | jiā zhēn | Add stitch (increase) |
| 贝壳针 | bèi ké zhēn | Shell stitch |
| 狗牙针 | gǒu yá zhēn | Picot (dog tooth) |
| 枣形针 | zǎo xíng zhēn | Bobble/popcorn (date shape) |
| V形针 | V xíng zhēn | V-stitch |
| 横着的 | héng zhe | Horizontal |
SEO Blog Post Optimization
| Meta Tag | Suggested Content |
|---|---|
| Title | Complete Chinese Crochet Symbol Guide: 30+ Stitches Decoded (钩针符号图解) |
| Meta Description | Learn 30+ Chinese crochet symbols including clusters, V-stitches, shells, picots, and increases. Includes pinyin, English translations, and step-by-step instructions. |
| URL slug | /chinese-crochet-symbol-guide |
| Keywords | Chinese crochet symbols, 钩针符号, 长针四针并一针, 贝壳针, 狗牙针, V形针, crochet chart, Chinese crochet terms |
| Alt text for image | Chinese crochet symbol chart showing 61-90: clusters, V-stitches, shells, picots, bobbles, and increases with Chinese and English labels |
Final Pro Tip: Using This Guide with Real Patterns
- Find a Chinese crochet diagram (search 钩针图解 on Xiaohongshu or Pinterest).
- Match each symbol to the numbered chart in your image.
- Read the pattern from bottom to top, right to left (for flat crochet) or center outward (for round).
- Use the vocabulary sheet if the pattern includes written notes.
Within one or two projects, you will no longer need to translate — you will recognize the symbols by sight.
Summary: You Can Now Read Chinese Crochet Charts
| Symbol Range | Stitch Type | You Can Now… |
|---|---|---|
| 61–62 | Clusters | Make 4 and 5 dc clusters |
| 63–66 | V-stitches & paired groups | Make decorative V-shapes |
| 67–70, 72, 74 | Increases (sc, hdc, dc) | Shape garments and amigurumi |
| 71, 86 | Horizontal stitches | Work surface crochet and cables |
| 75–78 | Varied double crochets | Add chains within stitches |
| 81–85 | Shell stitches | Make scalloped edges and fans |
| 88 | Bobble stitch | Create textured bumps |
| 89–90 | Picots | Make delicate lacy edgings |
Bookmark this guide and refer back whenever you encounter a Chinese crochet diagram.
