A quick reference guide for beginners and experienced crocheters
Crochet patterns use standard abbreviations to keep instructions short and easy to follow. This glossary covers the most commonly used U.S. crochet abbreviations so you can quickly check a term while working on your project.
Tip: Always check whether a pattern uses U.S. or U.K. terms — some stitch names differ!
🔹 Basic Stitches
Abbreviation
Meaning
Description
ch
chain
The foundation stitch of most crochet projects
sl st
slip stitch
Used to join rounds or move yarn without adding height
sc
single crochet
A short, dense stitch
hdc
half double crochet
Medium-height stitch
dc
double crochet
Taller basic stitch
tr
treble crochet
Tall stitch (also written as trc)
dtr
double treble crochet
Extra tall stitch
🔹 Stitch Variations
Abbreviation
Meaning
inc
increase (2 stitches in same stitch)
dec
decrease
sc2tog
single crochet 2 together
dc2tog
double crochet 2 together
BLO
back loop only
FLO
front loop only
BP
back post
FP
front post
BPdc
back post double crochet
FPdc
front post double crochet
🔹 Pattern & Repeats
Abbreviation
Meaning
st(s)
stitch(es)
sp
space
rep
repeat
rnd
round
row
row
sk
skip
yo
yarn over
RS
right side
WS
wrong side
beg
beginning
prev
previous
lp
loop
🔹 Special Techniques
Abbreviation
Meaning
MR
magic ring (magic circle)
pm
place marker
sm
stitch marker
FO
fasten off
tog
together
cl
cluster
puff
puff stitch
picot
picot stitch
🔹 U.S. vs U.K. Terms (Important!)
U.S. Term
U.K. Equivalent
single crochet (sc)
double crochet (dc)
half double crochet (hdc)
half treble (htr)
double crochet (dc)
treble (tr)
treble (tr)
double treble (dtr)
Keep this page open while reading patterns, or bookmark it for quick reference when using crochet tools like color pattern generators or stitch planners.
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