H Symbol in Knitting Patterns: Quick Guide

What the 'H' Symbol Means

In knitting and crochet patterns, the 'H' symbol represents Horizontal rows. It's used to denote rows that are worked horizontally in your pattern.

How to Use the H Symbol

The 'H' symbol is very simple to use:

H<number>: <instructions>

For example:

H1: 15CH

This means "In horizontal row 1, create 15 chain stitches."

You can also specify a range of rows:

H2-H15: 15SL

This means "In horizontal rows 2 through 15, create 15 slip stitches in each row."

Common Stitch Abbreviations Used with H Symbol

• CH: Chain stitch - Creates the foundation chain for your work
• SL: Slip stitch - A short stitch used to join work or move across a row
• SC: Single crochet - A basic crochet stitch
• DC: Double crochet - A taller crochet stitch
• HDC: Half double crochet - A medium-height crochet stitch

Example Pattern

Here's a simple example of how to use the H symbol in a pattern:

# Simple Rectangle
H1: 15CH
H2: 15SC
H3-H10: 15DC
H11: 15SC

This pattern creates:

• A foundation chain of 15 stitches
• A row of single crochet
• 8 rows of double crochet
• A final row of single crochet

Tips for Using H Rows

1. Always start with H1 for your first horizontal row
2. Number your rows sequentially (H1, H2, H3, etc.)
3. Use ranges (H5-H10) when repeating the same instruction for multiple rows
4. Be consistent with your stitch counts across rows unless you're intentionally increasing or decreasing

That's all you need to know to start using the H symbol in your patterns!