The first time you open a crochet pattern, it can look as though someone removed half the letters from every sentence. Instructions such as **“ch 3, dc in next st, sk 1, 2 dc in ch-sp; rep from ” make perfect sense to an experienced crocheter but can look like a secret code when you are just beginning.
Fortunately, crochet abbreviations are much easier to understand than they initially appear.
Pattern designers use shortened terms because crochet instructions would become extremely long if every stitch and action were written out repeatedly. Once you recognize a handful of common abbreviations such as ch, sc, dc, st, and sl st, entire lines of instructions begin to make sense.
This guide covers the crochet abbreviations you are most likely to encounter, explains how they work inside a pattern, and clears up one particularly important source of confusion: U.S. and U.K. crochet terminology does not always mean the same thing.
🧶 Why Crochet Patterns Use Abbreviations
Imagine a blanket pattern telling you to “double crochet in the next stitch” hundreds of times instead of using the simple abbreviation dc.
Patterns would become unnecessarily long.
Abbreviations allow designers to communicate a large amount of information in a relatively small space. Once you learn the language, an abbreviated instruction can actually be easier to scan than the fully written version.
The Craft Yarn Council maintains standardized crochet terminology used by many yarn companies, designers, magazines, publishers, and pattern writers in the United States.
Individual designers can still introduce special stitches or their own abbreviations, which is why reading the pattern’s abbreviation and stitch key before beginning is so important.
🪝 The Most Common Crochet Stitch Abbreviations
These are the abbreviations beginners are most likely to see in U.S.-terminology crochet patterns.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| st | stitch |
| sts | stitches |
| sp | space |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| yo | yarn over |
If you can recognize those terms, you can already read a surprising number of beginner patterns.
🔗 CH Means Chain
The abbreviation ch means chain.
Chain stitches are commonly used to create the foundation of a project, begin a new row, create spaces within a stitch pattern, or add height at the beginning of a row.
If a pattern says:
Ch 20.
you simply make 20 chain stitches.
You may also see something such as ch-2 sp or ch-3 sp. That refers to a space created by chains in a previous row rather than an instruction to make new chains.
For example, dc in next ch-2 sp means to work a double crochet into the opening created by two chain stitches.
🪡 SL ST Means Slip Stitch
Sl st means slip stitch.
A slip stitch is one of the shortest crochet stitches and is often used to join rounds, move the working yarn across a small section without adding much height, create surface decoration, or finish an edge.
If a round ends with:
Sl st in first sc to join.
you insert the hook into the first single crochet, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop already on your hook.
Patterns worked in joined rounds use this instruction frequently.
🌱 SC Means Single Crochet
In U.S. terminology, sc means single crochet.
Single crochet creates a relatively short, dense fabric and is one of the first stitches many crocheters learn.
A pattern might say:
Sc in each st across.
That simply means to make one single crochet in every stitch until you reach the end of the row.
If you see 2 sc in next st, work two single crochet stitches into the same stitch. This creates an increase.
🧶 HDC Means Half Double Crochet
Hdc means half double crochet in U.S. terminology.
This stitch falls between single and double crochet in height and creates a soft, substantial fabric.
You might see:
Hdc in next 5 sts.
Work one half double crochet in each of the next five stitches.
Half double crochet is especially popular for hats, scarves, blankets, garments, and other projects where you want a little more height than single crochet without creating as much openness as double crochet.
🌿 DC Means Double Crochet
In a U.S. pattern, dc means double crochet.
Double crochet is taller than single and half double crochet, allowing fabric to grow relatively quickly. It appears in everything from granny squares and blankets to shawls and garments.
An instruction such as:
3 dc in next ch-2 sp.
means to make three double crochet stitches into the same chain-two space.
Remember the words “in next”. The number before the abbreviation usually tells you how many stitches to make, while the rest of the instruction tells you where to put them.
🧣 TR Means Treble Crochet
Tr means treble crochet in U.S. terminology.
Treble crochet is taller than double crochet and generally begins with two yarn overs around the hook.
Because it creates considerable height, treble crochet can produce airy fabric and works well in lace, shells, fans, and decorative stitch patterns.
You may occasionally see it called triple crochet, but treble crochet is the standard U.S. term.
📏 DTR Means Double Treble Crochet
Dtr means double treble crochet.
This is an even taller stitch than treble crochet and is less common in basic patterns, although it appears frequently in lace and decorative stitch designs.
A double treble begins with additional yarn overs and is worked through the loops in stages.
Do not worry if you have not learned it yet. Knowing what the abbreviation means is enough until you encounter a project that actually requires the stitch.
🧭 ST and STS Mean Stitch and Stitches
St means stitch, while sts means stitches.
These abbreviations appear constantly.
For example:
Sk next st, dc in next 3 sts.
means to skip the next stitch and then make one double crochet in each of the following three stitches.
Paying attention to whether the instruction says st or sts can help you keep track of how many stitches are involved.
⏭️ SK Means Skip
Sk means skip.
When a pattern tells you to skip a stitch, chain, or space, do not work into it. Move directly to the location specified next.
For example:
Sk next st, dc in next st.
Leave the first stitch untouched and make a double crochet in the following stitch.
Skipping stitches is commonly used to create lace openings, buttonholes, shells, and other decorative effects.
🔁 REP Means Repeat
Rep means repeat.
Crochet patterns frequently establish a short sequence of stitches and then tell you to repeat it across the row or around the round.
You may see:
Rep from * across.
That means return to the instruction marked with an asterisk and repeat everything from that point as directed.
Once you learn to recognize repeats, complicated-looking rows become much easier because you are often making the same small sequence again and again.
➕ INC Means Increase
Inc means increase.
An increase adds one or more stitches, making the fabric wider or increasing the circumference of a piece worked in rounds.
The exact method depends on the pattern.
A single-crochet increase often means working two single crochet stitches into one stitch. A designer might write this as 2 sc in next st rather than using the word inc.
Always check the pattern notes if the method is not obvious.
➖ DEC Means Decrease
Dec means decrease.
A decrease combines stitches so the total number of stitches is reduced.
You may also see a specific abbreviation indicating both the stitch and the number being joined, such as sc2tog or dc2tog.
Decreases are essential for shaping hats, garments, amigurumi, sleeves, necklines, bags, and countless other projects.
🧶 What Does TOG Mean?
Tog means together.
It is commonly attached to another stitch abbreviation.
For example:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 stitches together |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together |
| tr2tog | treble crochet 2 stitches together |
These instructions usually create decreases by partially working several stitches and then completing them together.
So if you see dc2tog, you do not make two ordinary double crochets. You combine two stitch locations into one finished double-crochet decrease.
🧵 BLO Means Back Loop Only
Crochet stitches usually have two loops across their top edge.
BLO, or sometimes BL, means back loop only.
Instead of inserting the hook through both loops of the stitch, work only through the loop farthest away from you.
This changes the appearance and flexibility of the fabric. Working repeatedly in the back loop can create ridges and is commonly used for crochet ribbing.
A pattern might say:
Sc BLO across.
That means to work one single crochet through the back loop only of every stitch across the row.
🪡 FLO Means Front Loop Only
FLO, or sometimes FL, means front loop only.
This is the opposite of BLO. Insert the hook only through the loop closest to you.
Front-loop-only stitches can create decorative ridges and leave the unused back loops available for later rounds or additional construction.
This technique is particularly common in amigurumi and projects involving layered shapes.
🧶 FP Means Front Post
FP means front post.
Instead of working into the loops at the top of a stitch, you insert the hook around the vertical post of the stitch from the front of the fabric.
The abbreviation is usually combined with the stitch being made.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FPsc | front post single crochet |
| FPhdc | front post half double crochet |
| FPdc | front post double crochet |
| FPtr | front post treble crochet |
Front-post stitches push the stitch forward, creating raised texture.
They are frequently used in cables, ribbing, basketweave patterns, and other dimensional crochet designs.
🧶 BP Means Back Post
BP means back post.
The stitch is worked around the post from the back of the fabric instead of the front.
You may encounter BPsc, BPhdc, BPdc, or BPtr.
Front- and back-post stitches are often alternated to create textured ribbing. When you see a crochet hat with a stretchy-looking raised band around the bottom, post stitches may be responsible.
🎨 MC and CC Mean Main and Contrasting Color
In colorwork patterns, MC commonly means main color, while CC means contrasting color.
A pattern might begin with instructions such as:
With MC, ch 40.
Later it could tell you:
Join CC.
If the project uses several colors, designers may use CC1, CC2, and similar labels, or simply assign letters such as Color A and Color B.
Check the materials and pattern notes so you know which yarn each label represents.
📍 PM Means Place Marker
PM means place marker.
A stitch marker helps identify an important point in the project, such as the beginning of a round, the location of an increase, the center of a shawl, or a particular section of a garment.
You may also see m for marker and sm or sl m for slip marker.
If the pattern says to slip the marker, simply move it from one needle—or in crochet, from the old position—to the corresponding position as you continue working without creating a stitch in the marker itself.
🔄 RND Means Round
Rnd means round.
Crochet worked in rounds creates circular or tubular fabric rather than rows that travel back and forth.
A pattern might say:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring.
The following instructions tell you how to continue around the piece.
Some patterns join every round with a slip stitch, while others are worked continuously in a spiral. Read the pattern introduction carefully because the construction method changes how you track the beginning of each round.
↔️ RS and WS Mean Right Side and Wrong Side
RS means right side, while WS means wrong side.
The right side is the side of the project intended to face outward or be most visible when finished. The wrong side generally faces the inside or back.
For some reversible stitch patterns, the two sides may look almost identical. In other projects, the distinction is very obvious.
A designer may instruct you to begin a particular technique with the RS facing so that decorative stitches appear on the correct surface.
🔃 TURN Means Exactly What It Sounds Like
When a pattern says turn, turn your crochet work around so you can work back in the opposite direction.
Beginners sometimes overthink this instruction because it seems almost too simple to be included.
If you are crocheting flat rows, turning is what allows you to work back across the previous row.
Patterns worked continuously in rounds generally do not turn unless the designer specifically tells you to do so.
📌 BEG, CONT, FOLL and REM
Patterns also abbreviate ordinary instructional words.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| beg | begin or beginning |
| cont | continue |
| foll | following |
| prev | previous |
| rem | remaining |
| approx | approximately |
| bet | between |
| alt | alternate |
For example:
Cont in patt for rem 10 rows.
means continue in pattern for the remaining 10 rows.
These abbreviations may seem strange the first time you encounter them, but they quickly become easy to recognize from context.
🌸 CL, PC, PUFF, BO and SH
Some abbreviations refer to groups of stitches rather than basic individual stitches.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CL | cluster |
| pc | popcorn stitch |
| puff or ps | puff stitch |
| bo | bobble |
| sh | shell |
These names do not always describe one universal construction.
A five-double-crochet shell in one pattern may be different from a shell used by another designer. Bobbles, puffs, and clusters can also be made in several ways.
That is why you should always read the pattern’s special stitches section rather than assuming you already know how the designer wants a particular texture made.
⭐ What Do Asterisks Mean in Crochet Patterns?
Asterisks are used to mark repeated instructions.
Suppose a row says:
*Sc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; rep from * across.
Begin at the first asterisk and work a single crochet in the next stitch, chain one, and skip the following stitch.
Then return to the asterisk and repeat that same sequence across the row.
Patterns sometimes use double asterisks when several levels of repeats are involved. Read the complete instruction before beginning so you know exactly where each repeat starts and stops.
🧩 What Do Parentheses and Brackets Mean?
Parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], and occasionally braces { } help organize groups of instructions.
For example:
[Sc in next st, ch 2] 5 times.
Work everything inside the brackets five times.
Parentheses may also indicate stitches that should all be worked into the same location.
A pattern could say:
(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-sp.
Every stitch inside those parentheses goes into the same chain space.
Parentheses are also frequently used to show stitch counts at the end of a row or round, such as:
(24 sts)
In that context, the number tells you how many stitches you should have when the row is complete.
🔢 Pay Attention to Stitch Counts
The number in parentheses at the end of a row can save you from discovering a mistake several inches later.
If a pattern says:
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (28 sc)
you should finish that row with 28 single crochet stitches.
If you have 27, you probably skipped a stitch. If you have 29, you may have accidentally worked twice into one stitch.
Counting every row may feel unnecessary on a large simple rectangle, but it becomes extremely useful when shaping, increasing, decreasing, or working complicated repeat patterns.
🇺🇸 U.S. and U.K. Crochet Terms Are Different
This is one of the most important things a crocheter needs to know.
A U.S. single crochet is called a double crochet in U.K. terminology.
That means the abbreviation dc does not necessarily describe the same stitch in every pattern.
Here are some of the major differences:
| U.S. Term | U.K. Term |
|---|---|
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble crochet (htr) |
| double crochet (dc) | treble crochet (tr) |
| treble crochet (tr) | double treble crochet (dtr) |
| double treble crochet (dtr) | triple treble crochet (trtr) |
Notice something important: U.K. terminology does not have a direct stitch called single crochet corresponding to the U.S. single crochet name.
Before starting any pattern, determine which terminology it uses.
Otherwise, you can follow every instruction perfectly and still produce completely the wrong fabric.
🔎 How Can You Tell Whether a Pattern Uses U.S. or U.K. Terms?
Many modern patterns state the terminology clearly near the beginning.
Look for wording such as “Pattern written in U.S. terms” or “U.K. crochet terminology.”
If the pattern does not say, inspect the abbreviations.
The presence of sc strongly suggests U.S. terminology because U.K. patterns generally do not use single crochet in the same way.
A reference to htr, or half treble crochet, strongly suggests U.K. terminology.
When in doubt, look for information from the designer or publisher before beginning rather than guessing from the pattern.
🪢 Crochet Abbreviations for Tunisian Crochet
Tunisian crochet has its own set of common abbreviations.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FwP | forward pass |
| RetP | return pass |
| tss | Tunisian simple stitch |
| tks | Tunisian knit stitch |
| tps | Tunisian purl stitch |
| tfs | Tunisian full stitch |
| trs | Tunisian reverse stitch |
| tdc | Tunisian double crochet |
| thdc | Tunisian half double crochet |
| ttr | Tunisian treble crochet |
These may look unfamiliar even if you have been crocheting for years because Tunisian crochet has a different construction method from ordinary crochet.
Always check the pattern key, especially because designers sometimes capitalize or format Tunisian abbreviations differently.
📊 Crochet Charts Have a Language Too
Some crochet patterns use diagrams in addition to written instructions.
Each symbol represents a stitch. For example, standardized charts use a small oval or open circle for a chain, a dot for a slip stitch, a cross or X-style symbol for single crochet, and increasingly tall symbols with additional bars for half double, double, treble, and taller stitches.
Once you learn the symbols, a chart can show the structure of a stitch pattern in a way that written instructions cannot.
You can see immediately where shells expand, where chains create spaces, and how a lace repeat fits together.
Just as with abbreviations, always check the chart key because special symbols may be defined specifically for that pattern.
🧠 How to Read an Abbreviated Crochet Instruction
Consider this instruction:
Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, *sk next st, 3 dc in next st; rep from * across.
Instead of trying to absorb the entire line at once, translate it one piece at a time.
Ch 3 means make three chain stitches.
2 dc in same st means make two double crochet stitches into the stitch indicated by the pattern.
Then you reach the asterisk.
Sk next st means leave the next stitch unworked.
3 dc in next st means place three double crochets in the following stitch.
Finally, rep from * across tells you to repeat everything after the asterisk until you reach the end of the row.
Once broken into pieces, the mysterious-looking sentence is simply a sequence of very ordinary crochet actions.
🧶 Read the Entire Row Before Picking Up Your Hook
One of the easiest ways to make pattern reading less frustrating is to read each row before working it.
Notice where the repeat begins. Look for increases or decreases. Check whether the turning chain counts as a stitch. Find out whether several stitches need to go into one space.
Then crochet through the instructions one section at a time.
You do not need to memorize the row.
The first read is simply a map.
It can prevent you from reaching the end and discovering that you misunderstood something that was explained in the second half of the instruction.
📝 Check the Pattern’s Abbreviation Key First
Even if you already know most crochet abbreviations, read the key included with the pattern.
Standard abbreviations are widely used, but pattern designers sometimes create abbreviations for special stitches or techniques. A designer might abbreviate a complicated cluster as SPCL or give a textured stitch a project-specific name.
Those definitions usually appear near the beginning of the pattern.
The pattern’s own key should take priority over assumptions based on another project you have made.
Crochet may have standardized terminology, but individual stitch designs still leave plenty of room for variation.
🧵 Don’t Try to Memorize Everything at Once
There is no reason to memorize an entire crochet abbreviation dictionary before making your first project.
Learn the terms you actually encounter.
A beginner scarf may require only ch, sc, st, turn, and rep. Your next blanket might introduce dc, ch-sp, and sk. A textured hat could add FPdc and BPdc.
After seeing the same abbreviations repeatedly, you will stop consciously translating them.
Eventually, sc in next 5 sts will read almost as naturally as an ordinary sentence.
Until then, keep a reference nearby.
That is what this guide is for.
🪝 Common Crochet Abbreviations Quick Reference
Here is a compact cheat sheet for many of the terms you are most likely to encounter.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| alt | alternate |
| approx | approximately |
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| BL/BLO | back loop/back loop only |
| bo | bobble |
| BP | back post |
| BPdc | back post double crochet |
| CC | contrasting color |
| ch | chain |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| CL | cluster |
| cont | continue |
| dc | double crochet |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 together |
| dec | decrease |
| dtr | double treble crochet |
| FL/FLO | front loop/front loop only |
| foll | following |
| FP | front post |
| FPdc | front post double crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| hdc2tog | half double crochet 2 together |
| inc | increase |
| lp | loop |
| m | marker |
| MC | main color |
| pat/patt | pattern |
| pc | popcorn |
| pm | place marker |
| prev | previous |
| ps/puff | puff stitch |
| rem | remaining |
| rep | repeat |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 together |
| sh | shell |
| sk | skip |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sp | space |
| st/sts | stitch/stitches |
| tbl | through back loop |
| tch/t-ch | turning chain |
| tog | together |
| tr | treble crochet |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
You do not need to learn this table by heart. The more patterns you work, the more of it will become familiar naturally.
🌟 From Secret Code to Second Language
Crochet patterns can look intimidating when you first encounter them because the abbreviations make ordinary instructions appear far more technical than they really are.
But ch is simply a chain. Sc is single crochet. Dc is double crochet. Rep tells you to do something again. Asterisks show you which section to repeat, and parentheses help organize stitches or tell you how many stitches should be left when you finish.
The language becomes easier every time you use it.
Start with simple patterns and keep an abbreviation guide nearby. Check whether the designer uses U.S. or U.K. terminology, read the stitch key before beginning, and break complicated instructions into small sections rather than trying to decode an entire row at once.
Before long, a line such as “ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep around” will stop looking like a puzzle.
You will simply pick up your hook and crochet.
🔗 Related Articles
- Mastering the Single Crochet: A Beginner’s Guide
- Unraveling the Mystery: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reading Crochet Patterns
- Mastering the Treble Crochet: A Beginner’s Guide
- The Art of the Bobble Stitch: A Guide to Creating Eye-Catching Crochet Designs
- Tunisian Crochet for Beginners: Basic Stitches, Tools & Easy Tips
