Craft Yarn Council
Crochet chart symbols (opens in a new tab)
A reference for the symbols used in crochet charts, including basic stitches, increases and decreases.
A small reference shelf
Crochet
resources
Useful places to turn for stitch symbols, yarn standards, learning and inspiration.
Looking for common row-repeat names? Explore the stitch library.
01 / Shared references
Start with the standards
The Craft Yarn Council is a useful starting point for the conventions behind yarn labels and crochet patterns.
Craft Yarn Council
Crochet abbreviations (opens in a new tab)
Common US abbreviations, with a comparison of US and UK terminology.
Craft Yarn Council
Yarn weight system (opens in a new tab)
Yarn categories and the suggested gauge and tool-size ranges that go with them.
Craft Yarn Council
Hooks and needles (opens in a new tab)
A useful comparison of metric and US sizes for choosing and identifying your tools.
02 / Keep learning
Build on what you know
Crochet Guild of America
Learn to crochet (opens in a new tab)
Starting techniques, basic stitches, and video lessons for right- and left-handed crocheters.
Craft Yarn Council
Reading a crochet pattern (opens in a new tab)
A guide to the abbreviations, repeat notation and conventions used in written crochet patterns.
03 / Look back, make something new
A little history to explore
Antique Pattern Library
Antique Pattern Library (opens in a new tab)
An archive of historic needlework books to explore crochet, lace, motifs and pattern traditions.
These links open independent websites in a new tab. Check the terminology used by each pattern, especially when moving between US and UK instructions. Resources last checked October 29, 2026.