Overlay Mosaic Crochet Practice Graph - Spiral Square

I thought it would be helpful to offer a few practice graphs, especially for those that are new to overlay mosaic crochet. These are also good for making small gauge swatches to test your tension before starting a larger project. You can always use them for coasters or mug rugs when you're done. :) 

So we'll start with a spiral square. You can use whatever yarn you like with an appropriate hook for the yarn. The sample shown was made with Red Heart Super Saver in white for color A and Grey Heather for color B with a size H/5mm hook. There is one border stitch on each side. These are just single crochet stitches worked into both loops of the stitch in the previous row. I start each row with a standing single crochet, but if you prefer you can attach the yarn with a slip stitch, chain 1 and single crochet into the same stitch. Remember, except for the border stitches, all single crochets are worked into the back loop only of the stitch in the previous row. All double crochets are worked into the front loop only of the stitch 2 rows below. Fasten off at the end of each row.

Written Instructions:

Row 0 (foundation row): Make 17 foundation sc or chain 18, sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each remaining chain across. Fasten off. (17 sc)

Row 1 (color A): SC, 15 scblo, SC

Row 2 (color B): SC, 15 scblo, SC

Row 3 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 13 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

Row 4 (color B): SC, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 13 scblo, SC

Row 5 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 11 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

Row 6 (color B): SC, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 9 scflo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, SC

Row 7 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 7 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

Row 8 (color B): SC, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 5 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, SC

Row 9 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 3 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

Row 10 (color B): SC, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 3 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, SC

Row 11 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 5 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

Row 12 (color B): SC, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 7 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, SC

Row 13 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 9 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

Row 14 (color B): SC, 1 scblo, 1 dcflo, 11 scblo, 1 dcflo, 1 scblo, SC

Row 15 (color A): SC, 1 dcflo, 13 scblo, 1 dcflo, SC

More practice graphs and instructions on envelope border aka double border coming soon!

How To Read An Overlay Mosaic Chart or Graph

 Each pattern designer writes their charts a little differently, but most follow these basic concepts. You'll always want to read the designer's notes and stitch definitions. These will normally define what each of the symbols and/or colors on the chart mean and how to work them.

Here is an example of part of a mosaic crochet chart. Some designers mark them differently, but generally an X in a cell, whether or not it's shaded, means you will work a double crochet into the front loop of the stitch two rows below in the row color. You'll be skipping the stitch from the previous row, which ends up covering up the stitch in the previous row.

Generally if a cell is blank in the chart, regardless of whether or not it's shaded, you'll work a single crochet into the back loop only of the stitch in the previous row, working in the current row color.

You'll be working one color at a time. The cells with the row numbers will usually be shaded for color A or B. Work the entire row with that color. Some cells in the chart in a particular row may be shaded a  different color, but that's only to show what the pattern looks like.

Some charts will have a B to indicate the border single crochet stitches, some will have SC, and some will have other markings. Again you'll need to look at the stitch definition for your current pattern. However it's indicated on the chart, you'll work a single crochet into both loops of the stitch in the previous row. 

These are the main symbols you'll encounter on an overlay mosaic crochet chart. In addition you may see indications for a chain stitch. When I started mosaic crochet I worked my double border aka envelope border with a slip stitch as I had been taught. I've since found a different method of working the border that uses a border stitch and a chain instead, so you'll see an "o" on many of my graphs that will indicate a chain stitch on each side of the rows. I'll cover that more in-depth in the post about border methods.