With crochet stitch charts, every stitch is represented by a symbol.
Most charts use the same standard set of symbols, which is helpful.
Each symbol usually looks a bit like the stitch itself and the relative sizes and shapes are quite accurate, so a chart will resemble the finished stitch pattern quite well.
There are loads of different symbols, so check your pattern or key for a definition. The symbols might be labelled differently for UK or US crochet terms. Below is a guide to the main symbols you’ll see with both UK and US terms. There’s no slipknot symbol on a stitch chart, just as a written pattern doesn’t tell you to make one.