Crochet reference
Crochet abbreviations
Patterns save space with short forms: sc for single crochet, sk for skip, rep for repeat. Here is what each one means, in US terms with the UK version beside it, and how the brackets, stars and counts in a pattern work.
Stitches
Stitch abbreviations
The same short form can mean different stitches in US and UK patterns: a US dc is a UK tr. See US vs UK crochet terms for the whole chart.
| US | Means | UK |
|---|---|---|
ch | chain | ch chain |
sl st | slip stitch | ss slip stitch |
sc | single crochet | dc double crochet |
hdc | half double crochet | htr half treble |
dc | double crochet | tr treble |
tr | treble crochet | dtr double treble |
dtr | double treble crochet | trtr triple treble |
sc2tog | single crochet 2 together | dc2tog double crochet 2 together |
dc2tog | double crochet 2 together | tr2tog treble 2 together |
FPdc | front post double crochet | FPtr front post treble (also RtrF) |
BPdc | back post double crochet | BPtr back post treble (also RtrB) |
fsc | foundation single crochet | fdc foundation double crochet |
esc | extended single crochet | edc extended double crochet |
rev sc | reverse single crochet (crab stitch) | rev dc reverse double crochet (crab stitch) |
Pattern words
Words and actions
| Short form | Means | In UK patterns |
|---|---|---|
alt | alternate | Same |
approx | approximately | Same |
beg | beginning | Same |
BLO | back loop only | Same |
FLO | front loop only | Same |
ch-sp | chain space: the space under a chain | Same |
cl | cluster | Same |
cont | continue | Same |
dec | decrease | Same |
foll | following | Same |
inc | increase | Same |
lp(s) | loop(s) | Same |
MR | magic ring | Same; also called a magic circle or adjustable ring |
pc | popcorn | Same |
pm | place marker | Same |
prev | previous | Same |
rem | remaining | Same |
rep | repeat | Same |
rnd(s) | round(s) | Same |
RS | right side | Same |
WS | wrong side | Same |
sk | skip | miss |
sp(s) | space(s) | Same |
st(s) | stitch(es) | Same |
tch | turning chain | Same |
tog | together | Same |
yo | yarn over | yoh or yrh: yarn over hook, yarn round hook |
Stars and brackets
Repeats and counts
* … ; rep from *
Work the steps after the star, then repeat them as many times as the pattern says, or across the row or around the round.
[ … ] 5 times
Square brackets hold a group to repeat a set number of times.
( … ) in next st
Parentheses usually hold a group worked into one place, like (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in a corner. Some patterns use them like brackets, to repeat.
(24 dc)
A count at the end of a row or round says how many stitches you should have. Check it before moving on.
Read a round
A round, read word by word
Round 4 of our free crochet circle, as Krowshea writes it:
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in next st, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] 11 times, dc in next st, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
48 dc- Ch 3 (counts as a dc): the starting chain stands in for the first double crochet.
- 2 dc in next st: two double crochet in one stitch, an increase.
- dc in next 2 sts: one double crochet in each of the next two stitches.
- [ … ] 11 times: work the group in brackets 11 times.
- dc in next st: after the repeats, one more double crochet, the last stitch of the round.
- join with a sl st: slip stitch into the top of the starting ch-3 to close the round.
- (48 dc): the count to check when the round is done.
These are the abbreviations Krowshea writes. They follow the Craft Yarn Council list where it has the abbreviation; foundation, extended and reverse stitches and the magic ring are not on that list. Watch for short forms that collide: the UK edc (extended double crochet) is a US extended single crochet, and the US edc is a different, taller stitch. Designers sometimes define their own, so check the pattern's key first.
More crochet guides
Krowshea is in beta
Patterns that spell it out
Every pattern Krowshea writes comes with its own abbreviation key in the terms you choose. In the Krowshea Studio, members will be able to:
- Build a pattern and get the written version with its abbreviations
- Switch it between US and UK terms
- Have every count checked
- Print it with the chart