Queensland Theatre Company presents Head Full of Love from July 7

Colette Mann & Roxanne McDonald at their best in this heart-warming tale

When a white woman flees her Sydney life she is surprised to find herself in Alice Springs, sitting on a bench with a black woman crocheting a beanie. It is in this setting that woolen thread is entwined into a touching yarn, sure to enchant audiences with warm humour and tender heartbreak that feeds the soul. Inspired by the annual Alice Springs Beanie Festival, Queensland Theatre Company presents Head Full of Love, at QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre from 7^th July for a five-week season.

This intricate and wisely told tale by Australian playwright Alana Valentine (Run Rabbit Run, Parramatta Girls) is directed by QTC Artistic Director Wesley Enoch and stars Colette Mann (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Strange Bedfellows) and Roxanne McDonald (Skin of our Teeth, Parramatta Girls, The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table).

It’s a long way from the big smoke for Nessa Tavistock (Colette Mann) who finds herself inadvertently part of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival pilgrimage for women as diverse and distant as the Anangu and Tjanpi weavers and Western women from all over the world. For Nessa’s happenstance friend Tilly Napuljari (Roxanne McDonald), meeting the entry deadline for her new creation allows the women to weave a relationship based on shared secrets, struggles and successes. The two women realize that despite their differences in language, surroundings and upbringing, they are not so different after all, and their stories are forever linked together, row by row, colour by colour. “As they crochet their beanies there is a healing process, and from this, a sense of self evolves. It is a wonderful metaphor for Australia today,” says QTC Artistic Director, Wesley Enoch. “Theatre is a vehicle to share the stories that we may not otherwise hear, and the way a remote community has found a way to overcome the limitations of access to healthcare is an important one to share with the greater community of Australia.”

What: Head Full of Love, by Alana Valentine

When:      7 July – 11 August
Where:     Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
Director: Wesley Enoch
Cast:         Colette Mann and Roxanne McDonald

Tickets: $33-$65 queenslandtheatre.com.au

Read These Next

So, you’ve just picked up a hook and some yarn, and now you’re staring at a crochet pattern that looks like a secret code from another dimension. Sound familiar?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Learning how to read crochet patterns can feel overwhelming at first, but once you crack the code, it opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to understand crochet patterns, decipher all those weird abbreviations, and finally feel confident following even the trickiest crochet designs.

Let’s break it down—stitch by stitch.

What Is a Crochet Pattern, Anyway?

A crochet pattern is like a recipe for yarn. It tells you what stitches to use, how many times to use them, and in what order. Some patterns are written in words, some use symbols (charts), and the fancy ones might have both.

The goal? Help you create something amazing like a cozy scarf, cute amigurumi toy, or stylish cardigan—without winging it every time.

Start Here: The Anatomy of a Crochet Pattern

Before you dive into the stitches, take a minute to skim the whole pattern. Most written crochet patterns include these key parts:

1. Materials List

This tells you what kind of yarn and hook size to use. If it says:

Worsted weight yarn, 5mm hook (H/8)
That’s your supply list.

2. Gauge

Yes, it matters. Gauge ensures your finished piece matches the size the designer intended. It might read:

Gauge: 14 sts and 10 rows = 4” in double crochet

Pro tip: Always do a gauge swatch if size matters (like in garments)!

3. Abbreviations

Crochet patterns are full of shorthand. For example:

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)
rep = repeat

There’s usually a legend or key near the top of the pattern. Bookmark it.

4. Instructions

Here’s where the magic happens. Patterns are often written row-by-row or round-by-round.

Example:

Row 1: Ch 21. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (20 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (20 sc)

Each line tells you exactly what to do. It’s okay to read it slowly the first few times!

Decoding Common Crochet Pattern Terms

Some terms sound scarier than they are. Let’s translate:

“Work even”:

Keep going without increasing or decreasing stitches.

”Repeat from to “:

Repeat whatever’s between the asterisks.

“Inc” or “Inc 1”:

Increase—add an extra stitch, usually by working two stitches into one.

“Dec” or “Sc2tog”:

Decrease—crochet two stitches together to make one.

US vs UK Crochet Terms (Yep, It’s a Thing)

Crochet has two main dialects: US and UK terms. And they’re not interchangeable!

For example:

US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)
US double crochet (dc) = UK treble crochet (tr)

Always check what version the pattern uses. It usually says at the beginning.

Understanding Crochet Charts (Visual Learners, Rejoice!)

Some patterns use charts instead of words—or alongside them. These are visual representations using symbols for each stitch.

A circle = chain
A plus (+) or X = single crochet
A T with a slash = double crochet

Reading from a chart is kind of like reading a map—it shows you how the stitches fit together.

Pro Tips for Reading Crochet Patterns Like a Pro

Highlight repeats and stitch counts. Color-code if you want!
Use stitch markers to track important spots.
Print the pattern (yes, old-school) and check off rows as you go.
Watch YouTube tutorials if you’re stuck on a stitch.
Join crochet communities (like Ravelry or Facebook groups) for help and inspiration.

? Practice Patterns for Beginners

Want to practice reading crochet patterns? Try these easy beginner-friendly projects:

A basic dishcloth (perfect for mastering rows)
A granny square (great intro to rounds)
A simple scarf or cowl (helps with pattern rhythm)

Final Thoughts: Reading Crochet Patterns Gets Easier—Promise!

If you’ve made it this far, give yourself a high-five! You’re well on your way to becoming a pattern-reading pro.

Just like learning a new language, reading crochet patterns takes patience and practice. The more you do it, the more natural it feels—and the less you’ll need to Google things like “what the heck does ‘dc2tog’ mean?”

So grab your hook, pick a pattern, and start stitching. You got this!

P.S. Want Free Crochet Patterns?

Join our mailing list at [YourWebsiteHere.com] for fresh crochet patterns, step-by-step tutorials, and yarn-loving inspiration straight to your inbox!

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