Creating a Crochet Chart

Hi :)

How do you go about creating a crochet chart for a large project?

Space is limited, after all.

So, do you include everything in complete rounds, or just a section of it?

I haven’t created any myself yet, but I have soooo many.
Mostly round and square blankets...
Most people then just create a chart for one pattern repeat—for round blankets, a quarter, and for square ones, the corners are usually shown as a crochet chart and the edges then in the pattern repeat...
  But many just include written instructions and then provide detailed photos of the finished crocheted piece....
For large projects, it’s definitely difficult to create a crochet chart without it getting confusing....
As a “user,” I found the version with photos the easiest to follow. 

I’m currently working on a knitting chart. It’s basically the same thing. I’m making a triangular shawl. At first, I made the entire row with symbols. But since the right and left sides are mirror images of each other, after a few rows I switched to only showing the knitting chart up to the center.

With my granny squares, I sometimes show the entire center—that is, the whole round—and further out, just from corner to corner, since the pattern repeats after the corner. It just has to be clear when the repeat begins, etc. 

That’s true—a repeat would be one idea.

Theoretically, I could show the repeat in rows.
Otherwise, I could refer to the written pattern, since the start and end of the round are a bit different.

Or am I overcomplicating things?

With half-circular knitted shawls, the knitting chart is also written in rows.
It should work the same way for crocheting...
whether it’s round or has corners.
I don’t think you’re overcomplicating things...
Love, Steffi

You might want to keep in mind that there are many knitters and crocheters who can only do one or the other—either follow written instructions or read a knitting chart. You should definitely mention in your listing description that the knitting chart is only partially included as a supplement. 

I was planning to “mention that as a supplement” anyway, Petra.

Otherwise, it could quickly get confusing.