Here you will find an extensive list of crochet abbreviations and terms, including both US and UK terminology.
When you first read a crochet pattern you may think that it has been written in another language.
And it sort of has been – but it is a simple enough language to understand.
Patterns use abbreviations that are shortened ways of telling you what techniques to do.
Crochet Abbreviations Explained
For example, single crochet is abbreviated to sc and double crochet is abbreviated to dc.
The letters are often next to a number that will tell you how many stitches you should crochet.
For example, sc 6 sts means ‘single crochet 6 stitches’.
This shorthand makes the patterns shorter and simpler for you to follow.
If the instructions were all written in full, then the patterns would be pages and pages long!
What Is The Difference Between The US and UK Crochet Terms?
Once you start to learn how to read crochet patterns and practising crochet techniques you will become more and more used to the shortened abbreviations.
If you see an abbreviation that you don’t understand, you can check the reference guide below (see the downloadable PDF at the bottom of this page).
Crocheters in the UK and the US use different terms such as ‘single crochet’ in the US will be ‘double crochet’ in the UK.
Apart from those listed below, the differences are small so you can use patterns from anywhere!
Get Started – Crochet Abbreviations + Terms List
If you want to learn more about how to start crocheting, please visit this post – How To Crochet For Beginners.
The list below is a starter guide to general abbreviations and terms.
- There are links to video tutorials for some of the techniques below.
- Download an easy to print out PDF at the bottom of this page.
- Take a look at the general terms below to get started.
General
[ ] work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
( ) work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
* repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
** repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions
” inch(es)
A
alt – alternate
approx – approximate
B
beg – begin/beginning
bet – between
BL – back loop(s)
bo – bobble
BP – back post
BPdc – back post double crochet
BPsc – back post single crochet
BPtc – back post treble crochet
C
CA – color A
CB – color B
CC – contrasting color
ch – chain stitch (Video Tutorial)
ch- – refers to chain or space previously made: e.g., ch-1 space
ch-sp – chain space
CL – cluster
cm – centimeter(s)
cont – continue
D
dc – double crochet (Video Tutorial)
dc2tog – double crochet 2 stitches together
dtr – double treble
F
FL – front loop(s)
foll – follow, follows, following
foundation chain – a group of chain stitches (Video Tutorial)
FP – front post
FPdc – front post double crochet
FPsc – front post single crochet
FPtr – front post treble crochet
fsc – foundation single crochet
G
g – gram
H
hch – half double crochet
I
inc – increase, increases, increasing
L
lp(s) – loop(s)
M
m – meter(s)
MC – main color
mm – millimeters
O
oz – ounce(s)
P
p – picot
pat(s) or patt – pattern(s)
pc – popcorn (Video Tutorial)
pm – place marker
prev – previous
R
rem – remain, remaining
rep – repeat(s)
rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
S
sc – single crochet (Video Tutorial)
sc dec – single crochet decrease (Video Tutorial)
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sk – skip
Sl st – slip stitch
sp(s) – space(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
T
tch or tch – turning chain
tbl – through back loop
tog – together
tr – treble crochet (Video Tutorial)
trtr – triple treble crochet
W
WS – wrong side
Y
yd(s) – yard(s)
yoh – yarn over hook
Download your Crochet Abbreviations and Terms (US + UK) PDF here – Crochet Abbreviations and Terms
Candice says
Pls can you tell me which post I can use to begin crocheting
handylittleme says
Hello Candice, to start at the very beginning you can check out this post here – which shows you how to create a chain – https://www.handylittleme.com/how-to-start-a-crochet-chain/ and then this post – how to single crochet – https://www.handylittleme.com/how-to-single-crochet/ I hope that helps 🙂