Crochet abbreviations provide a short hand for crochet stitches and pattern instructions which make crochet patterns easier to follow. They help avoid repetition of long words or phrases. Once you understand what they mean, crochet abbreviations will help you to work through patterns quickly and easily.
There is a glossary of standardized abbreviations below. For special instructions or more unusual stitches, refer to the start of the knitting pattern where any further abbreviations will be described. Crochet terminolgy and abbreviations vary between the United Kingdom and America, so before you start a new crochet pattern, always check which crochet terms the pattern is using. Our Gift of Stitch patterns always use UK crochet terms and abbreviations.
Please note: Crochet terminology and abbreviations vary between the United Kingdom and the United States, so before you start a new crochet pattern, always check which crochet terms the pattern is using.
Crochet Term |
Abbreviation |
|---|---|
alternate |
alt |
approximately |
approx |
begin/beginning |
beg |
between |
bet |
back loop or back loop only |
BL or BLO |
bobble |
bo |
back post |
BP |
back post double crochet |
BPdc |
back post double treble crochet |
BPdtr |
back post half double crochet |
BPhdc |
back post treble crochet |
BPtr |
contrasting color |
CC |
chain stitch |
ch |
refer to chain or space previously made, e.g., ch-1 space |
ch- |
chain space |
ch-sp |
cluster |
CL |
continue |
cont |
double crochet |
dc |
double crochet 2 stitches together |
dc2tog |
decrease |
dec |
double treble crochet |
dtr |
extended double crochet |
edc |
extended half double crochet |
ehdc |
extended treble crochet |
etr |
front loop or front loop only |
FL or FLO |
following |
foll |
front post |
FP |
front post double crochet |
FPdc |
front post double treble crochet |
FPdtr |
front post half double crochet |
FPhdc |
front post single crochet |
FPsc |
front post treble crochet |
FPtr |
half double crochet |
hdc |
half double crochet 2 stitches together |
hdc2tog |
increase |
inc |
loop |
lp |
marker |
m |
main color |
MC |
pattern |
patt |
popcorn stitch |
pc |
place marker |
pm |
previous |
prev |
puff stitch |
puff |
remaining |
rem |
repeat |
rep |
round |
rnd |
right side |
RS |
shell |
sh |
skip |
sk |
slip marker |
sm |
space |
sp |
slip stitch |
ss |
stitch |
st |
through back loop |
tbl |
turning chain |
tch or t-ch |
together |
tog |
treble crochet |
tr |
treble crochet 2 stitches together |
tr2tog |
triple treble crochet |
trtr |
wrong side |
WS |
yarn over |
yo |
yarn over hook |
yoh |
Tension |
Tension, also known as 'gauge' describes how many stitches and rows are achieved in 10cm/4in. Example: 20 st and 15 rows to 10cm measured over patt using 4mm needles |
* |
repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed |
* * |
repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat at specified locations |
( ) |
work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed or work a group of stitches all in the same stitch or space |
[ ] |
Square brackets indicate pattern sizes or options |
Measurement |
Description |
|---|---|
mm |
millimetre |
cm |
centimetre |
m |
metre |
” |
inch |
g |
gram |
oz |
ounce |
yd |
yard |
