The first pattern you read will be the most challenging, mostly because of the abbreviations. For standard crochet abbreviations, please click here.

Here are some handy translations:

If the pattern says...	This is what it means...
Row 1: Sk 1st 3 ch, 1 dc in next ch...	Not counting the loop on your hook, count the first 3 chain stitches (that you just created with your hook for the base/foundation chain). Skip those 3. In the next chain (to the left if you are crocheting right-handed, to the right if you are crocheting the left-handed way), do a double crochet.
1 dc in next and each ch to end, turn.	Work a double crochet in the next chain (to the left if you are crocheting right-handed, to the right if you are crocheting the left-handed way), then do one double crochet in each and every chain along the rest of your base/foundation chain (not including the slip knot at the very end).
turn	Flip your work to begin the next row. If you are crocheting right-handed, you can flip your work by flipping the crochet like you flip the page of a book. Then, you would work the instructions for the next row, proceeding from right to left.
ending with last dc in top of t-ch	After you finish whatever instructions preceded this instruction, you will work a double crochet into the top-most chain of the turning chain from the previous row. If the previous row was all double crochets, the turning chain is most likely the ch-2 or ch-3 that you did at the beginning of the previous row.
Ch a multiple of 3 plus 2 extra	When you encounter this, you are usually looking at the instructions for a stitch pattern (vs. a specific project) OR it is provided at the beginning of the instructions for a specific project. This is just telling you that that particular stitch pattern can be done for different widths of fabric. In this example, you can use the stitch pattern by making a base/foundation chain of 3 + 2 = 5 chains, (3 x 2) + 2 = 8 chains, (3 x 3) + 2 = 11 chains, ...., or (3 x 10) + 2 = 32 chains, etc. When this is included in the instructions for a sweater, it is bonus information, allowing you to use the stitch pattern for something else, as long as you have the correct number of chains with which to start. It ALSO helps you determine how long of a base chain you need to make your GAUGE swatch.
(1 sc, 2 dc) in next st	Work the 1 single crochet AND 2 double crochets ALL in the same next stitch, i.e. work the 1st single crochet in the next stitch, then stick your crochet hook in the same stitch again to do the 2 individual double crochets. Parentheses are the standard way to indicate when a group of stitches are to be worked into the same stitch or space.
*1 sc in next st, ch 1; rep from * to end	Work whatever instructions are following the * once, then, go back to the * and follow the same set of instructions (i.e. the "1 sc in next st, ch 1") over and over until you have no more stitches at the end of your row.
more to come!

Are you finding these tips helpful? Please let me know and ask me
any other pattern instruction or crochet questions you may have!

Keeping Track of Where You Are
Post-it notes are a crocheter's best friend! I always have some in my tool bag. I use them to mark which row I need to do next on my pattern instructions. As soon as a finish a row, I move the post-it. As soon as the stickiness of the post-it is in question, I grab a new one.

I also use them to jot down my hook size and throw them into the bag holding my unfinished object when I "borrow" the hook to start yet another crochet project.