Practice Reading Patterns

Now, the only way to learn a new skill is to practice it. After a bit of practice, the common abbreviations will seem like any words you've been reading for so long.
Try this round from an afghan pattern. The previous round ended with 40 spaces.
Sl st in next dc and in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc)in same sp, (ch 2, 2dc) twice in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3, (sc in next ch 1sp, ch 3) 4 times, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3, * (2 dc, ch 2) twice in next ch 2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3, (sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3) 4 times, sc in next 2 sps, ch 3; repeat from * 2 times more; join with sl st to first dc.
What does that say? It looks like a mess of random letters, numbers, and symbols.
The previous round had 40 spaces of 1, 2, and 3 chain stitches separated by double and single crochet stitches. So, slip stitch in the first double crochet stitch of the previous round. Slip stitch in the next space. Chain 3. In the  next space, work the stitches in the parentheses: a double crochet, 2 chain stitches, and 2 double crochet stitches. In the next chain 2 space, work the stitches in the parentheses twice: chain 2, 2 dc. (When you work these stitches twice, you get a shell) Chain 3, work a single crochet in each of the next 2 spaces. Chain 3. Single crochet in the next space. Chain 3. There must have been 4 spaces in the previous round, because those last 3 actions were in parentheses, to work 4 times. Single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches. Chain 3. Now, here's a star. To finish the round, we're going to come back to this point in the pattern 2 more times. That's what it says farther on, each pattern will tell you how many times to repeat. In the next space, work 2 double crochet and 2 chains twice. In the next space, work 2 double crochet, 2 chains, 2 double crochet (a shell!). Chain 3. Single crochet in each of the next 2 spaces. Chain 3. There must be another 4 spaces in the previous round to work a single crochet and a chain 3 in each of the next 4 spaces. Single crochet in each of the next 2 spaces. Chain 3. Here's where it tells you how many times to repeat from the star, so you go back in the pattern and work those stitches again. A second repeat gets to the end of the round, so join with a slip stitch to the first of the round, in this case, it would be the first chain 3 that's counted as a double crochet.
Whew! That took a lot more space!
Take your time. Crocheting should be relaxing! Patterns may look difficult and complicated. Some are time consuming to make. You can do it!