Round 3

To make Round 3, we're going to use both of the stitches you've already learned – the single crochet and increase stitch. Here's what Round 3 looks like written out:

Round 3: inc, 4 sc, inc x 2, 4 sc, inc   (16)

Don't worry, it's not as scary as it looks. You actually already know all of the things you need to know to make Round 3. Follow this video to make sure you're crocheting Round 3 the right way:

How to read a pattern

Round 3 is written as:

Which also could've been written as:

inc    sc    sc    sc    sc    inc    inc    sc    sc    sc    sc   inc    (16)

Or with a lot more words:

2 single crochet stitches in the first hole....single crochet stitch in the next 4 holes...2 single crochet stitches in the next 2 holes...single crochet stitch in the next 4 holes...2 single crochet stitches in the last hole. You should have a total of 16 stitches (which look like horizontal V's) by the time you're done.

(Are you starting to dig abbreviations yet? 😉)

Remember that since 1 increase = 2 single crochet stitches, 1 increase counts as 2 stitches. 1 single crochet stitch counts as 1 stitch.

That's why by the end of this pattern, you should have a total of 16 stitches.

Too many words? Here's a diagram. Every number is a stitch, which looks like a horizontal V along the rim of the piece in real life. An increase is two stitches in the same hole:

Why all this fuss about counting?

If you come out with a plushie or a potholder, all depends on the number and type of stitches you do each round. So get in the habit of:

• using a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of the current round
• keeping count of your stitches while you crochet
• pausing at the end of each round to count the stitches (horizontal V's.) If you did things correctly, the stitch immediately next to your last stitch should be the first stitch of the round.