Crochet Abbreviations (US + UK Terms) Free Printable

Here you will find an extensive list of crochet abbreviations and terms, including both US and UK terms.

When you first read a crochet pattern, you may think that it has been written in another language.

And it has been, to some extent – 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 six 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!

Who created the crochet abbreviations?

The crochet abbreviations widely used today were standardized and popularized by the Craft Yarn Council (CYC)—a U.S.-based organization that represents the leading yarn companies, publishers, designers, and manufacturers in the fiber arts industry.

What Is The Difference Between The US and UK Crochet Terms?

Once you start to learn how to read crochet patterns and practice 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 printable at the bottom of this page).

Crocheters in the UK and the US use different terms, such as ‘single crochet’ in the US, which is called ‘double crochet’ in the UK.

Apart from those listed below, the differences are small, so you can use patterns from anywhere!

Related Post: How to read crochet patterns for beginners

Crochet Abbreviations + Terms List

If you want to learn more about how to start crocheting, please visit this post –  How To Crochet For Beginners: Easy Complete Guide.

There you will find tutorials for the basic crochet stitches (single crochet, double crochet, triple crochet, etc).

The list below is a starter handy 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)

1. Stitch Abbreviations (Basic Stitches + Specialty)

• sc – single crochet (view tutorial here – How To Single Crochet (SC))
• dc – double crochet (view tutorial here – How To Double Crochet (dc) For Beginners)
• hdc – half double crochet (view tutorial here – How To Half Double Crochet Stitch For Beginners (hdc))
• tr – treble crochet (view tutorial here – How To Treble Crochet (TR))
• htr – half treble crochet (view tutorial here – Half Treble Crochet Stitch (htr) For Beginners)
• dtr – double treble crochet 
• trtr – triple treble crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
• dc2tog – double crochet 2 stitches together 
• sc dec – single crochet decrease (view tutorial here – How To Make A Single Crochet Decrease)
• sl st – slip stitch 
• lp(s) – loop(s)
• pc – popcorn stitch (view tutorial here – How To Crochet The Popcorn Stitch)
• bo – bobble 
• CL – cluster
• fsc – foundation single crochet 
• inc – increase
• ps/puff – puff stitch (view tutorial here – Crochet Puff Stitch (A How-To Tutorial For Beginners))
• yoh – yarn over hook
• p – picot

2. Directional & Pattern Instructions

• beg – beginning
• rep – repeat(s)
• bet – between
• rem – remain(ing)
• foll – following 
• alt – alternate 
• cont – continue 
• sk – skip 
• prev – previous 
• tog – together 
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• pat(s)/patt – pattern
• sp(s) – space(s)
• WS – wrong side 
• RS – right side 

3. Post Stitches (Front + Back Loop Work)

• BL / blo – back loop only
• FL/FLO -front loop
• tbl – through back loop
• FP – front post
• FPdc – front post double crochet (check out a tutorial here – How To Crochet A Front Post Double Crochet Stitch)
• FPsc – front post single crochet
• FPtr – front post treble crochet
• BP – back post
• BPdc – back post double crochet (check out a tutorial here – How To Make A Back Post Double Crochet Stitch (BPDC)
• BPsc – back post single crochet
• BPtc – back post treble crochet

4. Chain-Related Terms

• ch – chain stitch (View tutorial here – how to start a crochet chain)
• ch-sp – chain space
• ch- refers to a specific chain/space previously made
• Foundation chain – a group of starting chains
• tch – turning chain

5. Color & Marker References

• CA – color A
• CB – color B
• CC – contrasting color
• MC – main color
• pm – place marker

6. Measurements & Units

• cm – centimeter(s)
• mm – millimeter(s)
• m – meter(s)
• yd(s) – yard(s)
• g – gram
• oz – ounce(s)
• ‘’ – inch(es)
• approx – approximate

7. Tunisian Crochet Terms

• tss – Tunisian simple stitch
• tks – Tunisian knit stitch
• tps – Tunisian purl stitch
• trs -Tunisian reverse stitch
• tsc – Tunisian single crochet
• thdc – Tunisian half double crochet
• tdc – Tunisian double crochet
• ttr – Tunisian treble crochet
• tfs – Tunisian full stitch
• etss – extended Tunisian simple stitch
• tslst – Tunisian slip stitch
• ttw – Tunisian twisted stitch
• FwP – Forward pass
• RetP – Return pass

Free Printable

If you’re new to knitting or just need a quick refresher, this list of common crochet abbreviations will help you read patterns with confidence.

From basic stitches to more advanced techniques, having a handy reference makes all the difference.

To make things even easier, I’ve created a free printable version of the abbreviations you can download and keep by your side while you crochet!

Where Do I find The Crochet Abbreviations In A Pattern?

At the beginning of a pattern, you will find the crochet stitch abbreviations used in the pattern and their meaning.

They might also include special terms specific to the project. 

The pattern writer might forgo some standard abbreviations or all abbreviations. 

Once you go through a few crochet projects, you will start to recognise the most common terms of the crochet language, and you won’t have to refer to the list all the time.  

Crochet Stitch Symbols Explained

In addition to written instructions and abbreviations, many crochet patterns—especially those originating from Europe or Japan—use stitch symbols and diagrams to visually represent how stitches are worked. 

These are known as crochet charts or symbol diagrams.

Stitch symbols can look intimidating at first, but once you understand the basic shapes, they become a powerful tool to help you follow patterns more visually and intuitively.

Why use stitch symbols?

• Easier to visualize stitch placement
• Universal language – diagrams are not dependent on written language
• Great for lace, motif, and doily patterns
• Clear view of the stitch sequence and construction

Common crochet symbols

Here are some of the most frequently used symbols and what they mean:

• O – Chain (ch) – The foundation stitch 
• • – Slip stitch (sl st)
• × or + – Single crochet (sc)
• T – double crochet (dc)
• T with one slash – Treble crochet (tr – US)
• T with two slashes Double treble crochet (dtr – US)
• V – Increase (2 sc/dc into one stitch)
• ∧ – Decrease (sc2tog, dc2tog)

How to read a crochet diagram

Start at the center or bottom, depending on the pattern (motif vs rows). 

Follow the stitch symbols in the direction of the arrows or numbering. 

Repeats are often marked with brackets or colored outlines.

Rows or rounds build outwards—just like your project!

Crochet Tutorials

• How To Make A Slip Knot (Step By Step)
• How To Hold A Crochet Hook
• Crochet Hook Sizes Chart (A Free Conversion Guide)
• How To Crochet For Beginners: Easy Complete Guide
• Crochet Lessons (For Beginners + Video Tutorials)
• The Best Yarn For Crochet Beginners (A Guide)