How to Use an X-Marked Chart for Overlay Mosaic Crochet

Updated to add a link to my new YouTube tutorial!

My patterns include written line-by-line instructions, so you don’t actually need to know how to use the charts. I write everything up for two techniques: interlocking crochet / Locked Filet Mesh, and overlay mosaic crochet.

I have tutorials on how to use the charts for interlocking crochet (PDF / YouTube). The charts are black and white squares, there are no X’s on a chart used for interlocking crochet.

You CAN use an interlocking crochet chart for overlay mosaic crochet. My original tutorial for reading a chart without X’s can be found on YouTube. But, I have now updated my patterns to include charts with X’s marking the dropped double crochets.

To understand how to use these charts please first familiarize yourself with the overlay mosaic crochet technique. You can follow along with the free tutorial square. Use this chart:

Reading the Chart:

• You start at the bottom right corner and each row is read from right to left (or the opposite if you’re left-handed)
• Join new yarn at the beginning of each row and cut your yarn at the end of every row
• Joining stitch (JS) is not shown on chart
  • create slip knot, insert hook under both loops, complete a normal single crochet
• End stitch (ES) is not shown on the chart
  • single crochet under both loops, chain 1, cut yarn and pull through tightly
• All odd numbered rows use the Main Color (MC) **when the chart starts at row 1** (sometimes charts start with the first row labeled as 0 instead; then even numbers are MC)
• Even numbered rows use the Contrasting Color (CC) **when the chart starts at row 1**
• Each square represents one stitch
  • Don’t forget you need to add a stitch for both the JS and ES
• The first row can be made using foundation single crochet or by chaining one more than required (for turning space) and single crochet back
• Regardless of the square’s color, you work a single crochet in the Back Loop Only unless you see an “X”; an “X” tells you to create a dropped double crochet

I prefer to use the written instructions and I will sometimes glance at the chart if I am unsure of what part of the project I am working on but for the most part I ignore the charts completely. I understand that a lot of you are more familiar with charts or have difficulty reading the written instructions so I am happy to provide both options.