Expert: Marla - 10/25/2011

Question
Hi,
Can you please explain what the following line is telling me - sorry I am just a beginner?
Sl st in first ch sp, ch 1, sc in same ch sp, ch 3, sl st in last sc, (sc, ch 3, sl st in last sc) twice in same ch sp, sc in next ch sp, ((sc, ch 3, sl st in last sc) 3 times in next ch sp, sc in next ch sp) around, join in beg sc. Fasten Off

Also - the gauge requested for this pattern is 2.75mm but I only have 3mm available, will this do or is there any way you can calculate the difference?

Answer
Hi Carina!
Thanks for asking! Welcome to crochet! It is my favorite hobby.
First of all, as far as gauge is concerned,  I usually don't pay attention to it unless it is for clothing, where it is important to get the size correct. If the exact size is not important to you for this project, I wouldn't worry about it. Your finished project will be a little bit larger than the one in the pattern.
When you are crocheting things like doilies, the instructions usually follow a format where the first set of instructions are given, then you are given a second set, and the second set are the ones that are repeated.

I assume that what is the big trouble are those ( ). They can be confusing at times. "(sc, ch 3, sl st in last sc) twice in same ch sp" means that in that ch space that you made the sc in, you do this: sc, ch 3, sl st in last sc. then you repeat this, so that you have done it twice. So to write it all out, it goes like this: In that same ch sp, you sc, ch 3, sl st in last sc. then you repeat it: In that same ch sp, you sc, ch 3, sl st in last sc.
This is that first set of instructions. The last part with the double (( can be very confusing. This is the second set of instructions, and are the ones that are repeated. Starting with the ((, this is what you do:  Like the first group of ( ) you sc, ch 3, sl st in the last sc, and do all that in the same ch sp.  This time you do all of that 3 times. Then you sc in the next ch space. Then you repeat all of this, from the "((" to the last ")" until you reach the first sc of the round.

Usually when I am going to do a pattern that is complicated, I rewrite it onto a sheet of paper in a way that is easier to follow. It takes a little bit of extra time, but it is worth it.

I hope I have helped you. Please let me know if this isn't what you needed. And if it is still confusing, please let me know, and I'll rewrite it better for you. Good luck!

Marla