Crochet Terms and Abbreviations
Last Updated 12-29-2020
Crochet terms and abbreviations might seem like a strange and foreign language, but as you become comfortable, they all begin to make sense
You may be able to start crocheting without knowing what all those short form terms and abbreviations are in patterns, but once you get some experience under your belt, you'll want to go further and explore all the different patterns and designs out there.
To be able to read a pattern and follow the directions, you will need to know some of the abbreviations and symbols used.
Some patterns are written entirely in English using abbreviations in the instructions. Other patterns make use of a symbol chart. Each symbol represents a different type of stitch or command.
Until you are completely comfortable with all the symbols, I recommend to keep a chart handy to refer to as needed.
This page outlines all the usual (and some unusual) terms that you'll come across while you develop your skill.
Crochet Stitch Abbreviations
Some stitches are named differently whether you are reading a US or UK pattern. This set of conversions can be used either way to convert US to UK terms, or the other way around.
US/Canada
Single crochet: sc
Double crochet: dc
Half double crochet: hdc
Treble or Triple Crochet: tr
Slip Stitch: ss
Chain: ch
Double Treble: dtr
UK
Double Crochet: dc
Treble Crochet: tr
Half Treble Crochet: htr
Double Treble Crochet: dtr
Slip Stitch: ss
Chain: cc
Triple Treble: ttr
Crochet Terms and Abbreviations
These are common terms you will find as you begin to ready the instructions in a pattern.
*or {} or [] or (): repeat the part between the * or bracket
alt: alternate
approx: approximately
beg: beginning
bet: between
BL-BLO: back loop/back loop only
BP: back post
CC: contrasting color
ch sp: chain space
ch(s): chains
CL: cluster
cm: centimeter
cont: continue
dec: decrease
FL or FLO: front loop or front loop only
foll(s): foll(s)
gr: group
inc: increase
lp: loop
nxt: next
pm: place marker
prev: previous
ps or puff: puff stitch
r: row
rem: remaining
rep: repeat
rnd: round
RS: right side
sk: skip
sl: slip
sm or sl m: slip marker
ss: slip stitch
st(s): stitches
stch: starting chain
tch: turning chain
tog: together
yo: yarn over
yoh: yarn over hook
WS: wrong side
Crochet symbols and their meanings
As patterns become more complicated, symbols are often used. The big advantage with the symbol charts is that they take up less space and you can immediately have a visual idea of what the product may look like. Most patterns will have a key or reference, so don't try to memorize the symbols here.
You may encounter other symbols such as arrows or numbers. There may be additional symbols for colors and where one color is joined with another. If you are working in more than one color, it does make it easier if the pattern is printed in the various colors so you can see where one ends and the next one picks up.
Single Crochet (sc) in the US
Double crochet (dc) in the UK
Chain Stitch
Double Crochet (dc) in the US
Treble Crochet (UK)
Half Double Crochet (US)
Half treble crochet (UK)
Treble or Triple Crochet (US)
Double Treble Crochet (UK)These symbols are but a few of the many different types of stitches that can be represented with symbols. For a more comprehensive glossary of symbols I recommend checking out a few good crochet handbooks.
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Common Terms and Abbreviations
There are differences in the UK terms and the US terms.
Beginning |beg |
Back loop |bl |
Back Post …
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