Decode any pattern
Crochet Abbreviations: US & UK
Crochet patterns are written in shorthand, and the US and UK use the same words fordifferent stitches. Check which terms your pattern uses (it's usually stated at the top), then use this chart. Every abbreviation links to the lesson that teaches it.
The US ↔ UK trap, in one table
UK names are always "one step taller" than US names for the same stitch. A UK "double crochet" is a US single crochet.
| Stitch | US name | UK name |
|---|---|---|
| BPdc | back post double crochet | back post treble (BPtr) |
| dc | double crochet | treble (tr) |
| FPdc | front post double crochet | front post treble (FPtr) |
| hdc | half double crochet | half treble (htr) |
| sc | single crochet | double crochet (dc) |
| tr | treble crochet | double treble (dtr) |
Full abbreviation list (A–Z)
- BLOback loop only
- UK: back loop only
- Insert your hook under only the back loop of the stitch. Creates a ridge and a stretchy, ribbed texture.
- Learn it →
- bobblebobble stitch
- UK: bobble stitch
- Several unfinished dc worked into one stitch, then closed together, so they pop out as a round bump.
- Learn it →
- BPdcback post double crochet
- UK: back post treble (BPtr)
- Work a dc around the post of the stitch from the back. Pair it with FPdc for stretchy ribbing.
- Learn it →
- chchain
- UK: chain
- Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. The foundation of almost every project.
- Learn it →
- clcluster
- UK: cluster
- Several partial stitches worked across different stitches and closed together at the top.
- Learn it →
- dcdouble crochet
- UK: treble (tr)
- Yarn over, insert, pull up a loop (3 loops), then [yarn over, pull through 2] twice. About twice as tall as sc.
- Learn it →
- decdecrease
- UK: decrease
- Work 2 stitches together into one, removing a stitch. In amigurumi, use the invisible decrease through front loops only.
- Learn it →
- FLOfront loop only
- UK: front loop only
- Insert your hook under only the front loop of the stitch, leaving the back loop free.
- Learn it →
- FOfasten off
- UK: fasten off
- Cut the yarn and pull the tail through the last loop to secure it.
- Learn it →
- FPdcfront post double crochet
- UK: front post treble (FPtr)
- Work a dc around the post of the stitch from the front instead of into its top. Makes raised ribbing and cables.
- Learn it →
- hdchalf double crochet
- UK: half treble (htr)
- Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (3 loops), yarn over, pull through all three.
- Learn it →
- incincrease
- UK: increase
- Work 2 stitches into the same stitch, adding one stitch to the count.
- Learn it →
- MRmagic ring
- UK: magic ring / magic loop
- An adjustable loop you work the first round into, then pull tight so the center of a round piece closes with no hole.
- Learn it →
- pcpopcorn stitch
- UK: popcorn stitch
- A group of complete dc in one stitch, folded closed at the top so it stands out.
- Learn it →
- picotpicot
- UK: picot
- A small chain loop (often ch 3, sl st in first ch) used as a decorative point on edgings and petals.
- Learn it →
- puffpuff stitch
- UK: puff stitch
- Several yarn-over loops pulled up in one stitch and closed together, for a soft, pillowy bump.
- Learn it →
- reprepeat
- UK: repeat
- Repeat the instructions between the asterisks or brackets the number of times stated.
- Learn it →
- rndround
- UK: round
- One full circuit of a piece worked in the round, instead of back and forth in rows.
- Learn it →
- RSright side
- UK: right side
- The side of the work that will face outward on the finished piece.
- Learn it →
- scsingle crochet
- UK: double crochet (dc)
- Insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops), yarn over, pull through both. The shortest, densest basic stitch.
- Learn it →
- shellshell stitch
- UK: shell stitch
- Several stitches (often 5 dc) worked into one stitch so they fan out like a shell.
- Learn it →
- sl stslip stitch
- UK: slip stitch (ss)
- Insert hook, yarn over, pull straight through the stitch and the loop on your hook. Used to join rounds and travel invisibly.
- Learn it →
- smstitch marker
- UK: stitch marker
- A removable clip marking the first stitch of a round or a key point in the pattern.
- Learn it →
- spspace
- UK: space
- The gap under a chain or between stitches. "Ch-sp" means work into the space under a chain, not into the chain itself.
- Learn it →
- st(s)stitch(es)
- UK: stitch(es)
- Any single stitch. Stitch counts at the end of a row are written in parentheses, e.g. (12 sts).
- Learn it →
- togtogether
- UK: together
- Work the stated stitches together into a single stitch, as in sc2tog or dc2tog (a decrease).
- Learn it →
- trtreble crochet
- UK: double treble (dtr)
- Yarn over twice, insert, pull up a loop (4 loops), then [yarn over, pull through 2] three times.
- Learn it →
- V-stV-stitch
- UK: V-stitch
- (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch. Makes an open, drapey fabric fast.
- Learn it →
- WSwrong side
- UK: wrong side
- The side of the work that will face inward or down on the finished piece.
- Learn it →
New to all of this? Start with How to Crochet for Beginners, then How to Read Crochet Patterns.