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Crochet Abbreviation Dictionary
Crochet Abbreviation Dictionary
Search any stitch code, convert American vs. British terms, and read execution tips.
Single Crochet (US) / Double Crochet (UK)
Difficulty: BasicInsert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.
Half Double Crochet (US) / Half Treble (UK)
Difficulty: BasicYarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
Double Crochet (US) / Treble Crochet (UK)
Difficulty: BasicYarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop (3 loops), yarn over, pull through first 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.
Treble Crochet (US) / Double Treble (UK)
Difficulty: IntermediateYarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop (4 loops), yarn over and pull through 2 loops three times.
Slip Stitch
Difficulty: BasicInsert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch and loop on hook in one motion. Used for joining rounds.
Chain
Difficulty: BasicYarn over and pull loop through current loop on hook to form foundation chain or spaces.
Magic Ring / Magic Circle
Difficulty: BasicAn adjustable loop used to start circular projects without a hole in the center (ideal for amigurumi and granny squares).
Increase
Difficulty: BasicWork 2 stitches into the exact same base stitch to widen the piece.
Decrease (2 Stitches Together)
Difficulty: BasicCombine two adjacent stitches into one to narrow the piece.
Back Loop Only
Difficulty: BasicWork the stitch inserting hook only under the back strand of the V at the top of the stitch.
Front Loop Only
Difficulty: BasicWork the stitch inserting hook only under the front strand of the V closest to you.
Front Post Double Crochet (US) / Front Post Treble (UK)
Difficulty: IntermediateWork double crochet around the post of the stitch from the front, creating a raised ribbed texture.
Back Post Double Crochet (US) / Back Post Treble (UK)
Difficulty: IntermediateWork double crochet around the post of the stitch inserting hook from the back.
Yarn Over
Difficulty: BasicWrap the working yarn over the crochet hook from back to front.
Popcorn Stitch
Difficulty: IntermediateWork 5 dc into same stitch, drop loop, reinsert hook in 1st dc, grab dropped loop, pull through to cinch tight.
Bobble Stitch
Difficulty: IntermediateWork 3 to 5 partial double crochets into same stitch, then yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Puff Stitch
Difficulty: IntermediateYarn over, pull up loop 3 to 5 times into same stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops, chain 1 to lock.
Crochet Abbreviation Dictionary — Comprehensive US vs UK Stitch Glossary
Translate US and UK pattern terminology, stitch chart symbols, and common shorthand abbreviations with clarity.
Crochet Abbreviation Dictionary & US vs UK Terms Comparison
Crochet terminology differs significantly between United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK / Australian) patterns. For example, a US single crochet (sc) is called a UK double crochet (dc). Master pattern reading with our comprehensive crochet abbreviation glossary.
Master US vs UK Crochet Stitch Conversion Chart
| US Term & Abbreviation | UK / Australian Equivalent | Stitch Height & Step-by-Step Execution |
|---|---|---|
| Slip Stitch (sl st) | Slip Stitch (sl st) / Single Crochet | Shortest join stitch; insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook. |
| Single Crochet (sc) | Double Crochet (dc) | Short basic stitch; insert hook, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. |
| Half Double Crochet (hdc) | Half Treble Crochet (htr) | Medium height; yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook. |
| Double Crochet (dc) | Treble Crochet (tr) | Standard tall stitch; yarn over, insert hook, [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] twice. |
| Treble / Triple Crochet (tr) | Double Treble Crochet (dtr) | Very tall stitch; yarn over twice before inserting hook, [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times. |
| Double Treble Crochet (dtr) | Triple Treble Crochet (trtr) | Ultra tall lace stitch; yarn over 3 times before inserting hook. |
| Fasten Off (FO) | Cast Off (CO) / Finish Off | Cut yarn leaving 6-inch tail, pull loop through to lock stitch. |
Common Pattern Reading Symbols & Notations
- Asterisks (* ... *): Repeat instructions between asterisks the specified number of times.
- Brackets [ ... ]: Work all stitches inside brackets into the same stitch or space.
- Parentheses ( ... ): Used for stitch counts at the end of rows (e.g., "(36 sts)").
- BLO / FLO: Back Loop Only / Front Loop Only for ribbed texture.
- RS / WS: Right Side (front facing) / Wrong Side (back facing) of the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if a pattern uses US or UK terms?
A: Look for the mention of "Single Crochet (sc)". If the pattern uses single crochet, it is written in US terminology (UK patterns do not use the term single crochet). You can also paste your pattern into our free US ↔ UK Crochet Pattern Converter to automatically detect terms and convert your entire pattern.